1112625. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Watching Brief at Mapledurham Watermill South Oxfordshire

Series:

Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

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Biblio Note

This report was uploaded to the OASIS system by the named Publisher. The report has not been reviewed by the relevant HER. The report has been transferred into the ADS Library for public access and to facilitate future research.

Licence Type:

ADS Terms of Use and Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1112625

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

The watching brief focused on investigations and observations after the initial demolition of the turbine house had taken place, during subsequent groundworks that had the potential to impact on the below ground remains of the watermill complex. These works included: ▪ The removal of the 1922 turbine chamber and any associated structures. Prior to removal of the chamber, a combined temporary coffer dam and access road consisting of clay packed between two lines of steel piles was constructed across the mill race c 25m west of the mill. After the dismantling of the sluice gates, the concrete apron that formed the floor of the throat leading into the turbine chamber was broken up and the sides and floor of the turbine chamber were demolished; ▪ The lowering of the mill race bed prior to the construction of the floor of the new turbine installation. The level was lowered by c 0.3m at the headrace end, increasing to c 1.2m at the tailrace end; ▪ The pulling back of the mill race sides to facilitate the erection of scaffolding and shuttering prior to pouring the new turbine chamber sidewalls. The sides of this excavation were battered back for reasons of safety, from c 1.2m wide at the base of the excavation to c 2.5m at the top; ▪ The construction and reinforcement of the northern mill race throat. The majority of the excavations were undertaken by a mechanical excavator fitted with a variety of buckets. Both the excavation and spoil were closely examined for evidence of earlier structures, deposits or features. A record consisting of a plan, sample sections and photographs was maintained during each phase of work. Recording was carried out in accordance with established OA practice (Wilkinson 1992). All contexts were allocated unique numbers, as were small finds. Bulk finds were collected by context. Digital colour photographs and black-and-white negative photographs were taken of all recorded features, sections and notable finds. A working record of the construction process was also complied. Provision was made for taking environmental/organic samples in accordance with OA environmental procedures. Site plans were drawn at an appropriate scale (normally 1:50 or 1:100) with larger scale plans of features as necessary. Section drawings of features and sample sections of trenches were drawn at a scale of 1:20. Scale drawings (at 1:10) were also made of the recovered timbers. The watching brief observed details of the 1922 turbine installation, and several phases of mill race construction associated with the 18th and 19th century expansion of the mill. No in situ evidence was encountered for mill races or structures pre-dating the 18th century mill. Elements from previous phases of the mill's construction were recovered from ground raising dumps that had been used to raise the ground level on the island to the south of the mill during the remodelling of the southern mill race channel. This included fragments of a waterwheel, including wooden parts and iron fittings, probably from the wheel that was removed in 1922.

Author:

Mike Sims

Publisher:

Oxford Archaeology

Year of Publication:

2014

Locations:

District:	South Oxfordshire
Parish:	Mapledurham
Country:	England
County:	Oxfordshire

Grid Reference: 466929, 176739 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

MEDIEVAL PEG TILE (Tag)

TILE (Object England)

20TH CENTURY WALL (Tag)

20TH CENTURY TILE (Tag)

METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Object England)

WATCHING BRIEF (Event)

20TH CENTURY REVETMENT (Tag)

PILE (Monument Type England)

20TH CENTURY PILE (Tag)

FLOOR (Monument Type England)

WALL (Monument Type England)

NAIL (Object England)

BASE SHERD (Object England)

POST MEDIEVAL BASE SHERD (Tag)

20TH CENTURY METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Tag)

20TH CENTURY NAIL (Tag)

20TH CENTURY FLOOR (Tag)

REVETMENT (Monument Type England)

PEG TILE (Object England)

20TH CENTURY (Historic England Periods)

MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)

POST MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

oxfordar1-512268

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

16 Aug 2023