by
Report to English Heritage and The Friends of Bushy & Home Parks
Appendix: pro-forma to be used for recording
English Heritage has requested an archaeological evaluation to be undertaken in advance of the proposed restoration of the water gardens at Upper Lodge, Bushy Park, London Borough of Richmond. This site is contains the remains of an important formal water garden laid out by Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, from around 1710. It is considered that the discovery of archaeological remains is a strong possibility. The client, the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks, have asked C K Currie of CKC Archaeology (Gardens Archaeology Project) to draw up a project design for work to evaluate the archaeological potential of the site. It is proposed to excavate four trenches stratigraphically (that is, by removing each distinct archaeological layer in chronological sequence), and to record any features recovered. The finds and archive are to be deposited with a local museum to be recommended by English Heritage.
This project design has been written to guidelines laid down by English Heritage in appendix 2 'Project design specification' in The management of archaeological projects (London, revised edition, 1992). The ordering of information, and the information given, follows the guidelines given within this document. Additional guidance was taken from the Institute of Field Archaeologists' Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluations (Birmingham, 1993), and the Archaeological guidance papers, nos. 1-3 as issued by English Heritage for the London region, where considered appropriate. All work is carried out according to the Code of Conduct of the Institute of Field Archaeologists, of which CKC Archaeology is a IFA-registered archaeological organisation (reference: RAO no. 1).
An archaeological evaluation has been requested by English Heritage, in advance of the proposed restoration of water gardens at Upper Lodge, Bushy Park. This site is contains the remains of an important formal water garden laid out by Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, from around 1710. It is considered that the discovery of archaeological remains on this site is a strong possibility. The client, the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks, have asked C K Currie of CKC Archaeology (Gardens Archaeology Project) to draw up a project design for work to evaluate the archaeological potential of the site.
1.1 Reasons for undertaking archaeological survey
The site of the water gardens has been subject to long-term neglect, and much change of use, since at least the second half of the 18th century. It is therefore uncertain how well the archaeology of the site is preserved. It is therefore considered that an archaeological evaluation of the remains should be undertaken before any other decisions are taken regarding the proposed restoration of the gardens. It is understood that archaeological evaluation was also requested as a condition for grant aid assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
1.2 Legal status of the site
The site lies within an archaeological priority area where London Borough of Richmond UDP archaeological policies are applicable to any development proposal. Part of the area is Crown Land.
1.3 Timing of the project
This has yet to be fully determined, but it is thought that if the go-ahead is given it is hoped that the work could be undertaken during the month of August 1997, and should take no more than 15 working days to complete. A report will be produced within one month of completion of the field work.
1.4 Access
Access will be arranged with the management of the site. No problems are envisaged.
2.1 The site
The information given below on the history of the site was given by Cathy White, the President of the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks.
The land containing the site was formerly held by the Knights Hospitallers. They had leased the land out for some years before its confiscated by the Crown during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1537. In this year a John Field is recorded as the Ranger of the royal deer park at Bushy.
The title of Ranger continued until 1709 when the lease on the land was purchased from the Crown by Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax. At this time the Ranger's house was in a ruinous condition. As part of the purchase agreement Montagu agreed to rebuild the house on condition that his lease was made for three lives. He seems to have started work on the water gardens soon after this agreement was reached as a plan in the Public Record Office shows the proposals for the site. They were completed soon after this as much comment was made on their beauty before Montagu's death in 1715.
The site passed back to the Crown in the mid-18th century following the death of George Montagu, Charles Montagu's descendent. The office of Park Ranger then continued as a Grace and Favour Appointment.
From the later 18th century, it became clear that the gardens were neglected, and gradually fell into disrepair. The Ranger's House was empty during the First World War, and George V gave it to the Canadian Red Cross for use as a convalescent home. A number of features within the gardens have been removed, and are now only known from old plans.
2.2 Condition of the site
Until recently the site has been partly used by the Ministry of Defence (?). In particular that area north and west of the Crown Estates fence line has been much altered and built over by a series of temporary building since the Second World War. Many of these will be removed, or, in some cases, have already been removed. There are areas of tarmac and hard standing covering large parts of the former gardens, particularly between the Lower Pool and the Formal Basin. At the time of writing, exact details and up-to-date plans of the site were not available.
That area to the south and east of the Crown Estates fence line has been under a different management regime, and still retains some characteristics of its former parkland nature.
3.1 Previous work
This information was not available at the time of writing. However, it is understood that Travers Morgan had produced a survey of the site for planning purposes in 1981. This was followed by a landscape survey carried out by Land Use Consultants (henceforth LUC) c. 1995 that made recommendations for future archaeological work (referred to in pp. 25-26 of that report). Following this the Royal Commission for Historic Monuments of England (RCHME) had carried out an earthwork survey of the site. The client required this project design to be written before details of this work could be obtained.
3.2 Existing archives
What site archives that exist are in the possession of the Royal Commission of Historic Monuments of England (RCHME) and English Heritage (ref. Ken Whittaker). It is also understood that the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks have collected considerable information on the site, much of which has been recorded in the LUC report.
It is proposed that the material archive, plus a copy of the final report, will be deposited with a suitable repository recommended by English Heritage in consultation with the client. The present policy of Museum of London of refusing to take any further archives into care is a problem that will need to be resolved before work can commence. It may be that alternative arrangements can be made with another local museum or institution. Copies of the report are to be placed in the Sites and Monuments Record of the Museum of London and the National Monuments Record, Swindon, Wiltshire, but may need to be accorded restricted and confidential status until such time as the commissioning body decide that this can be lifted.
It is proposed that the work shall be based on guidelines laid down in The management of archaeological projects (English Heritage, revised edition, 1992). Additional guidance was taken from the Institute of Field Archaeologists' Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluations (Birmingham, 1993), and the Archaeological guidance papers, nos. 1-3 as issued by English Heritage for the London region, where considered appropriate.
5.1 Research aims
It is proposed to undertake an evaluation to determine the archaeological potential of the site. In the first instance, this will involve the excavation of trenches to determine four specific aims:
5.1.1 The means of supplying water to the Central Basin via the Lower Pool.
5.1.2 A determination of the material infilling the Central Basin, together with a section of the main structural components of this basin.
5.1.3 A determination of the construction of the Terrace Bank east of the Central Basin.
5.1.4 A determination of the material infilling the Formal Basin, together with a section of the main structural components of this basin. This will be conducted in conjunction with a geophysical survey of the area of the basin (approximately 60m by 60m).
The results of these four main requirements will be integrated with the earlier historical and survey work done on the site to appraise the archaeological potential of the area. Recommendations deriving from this appraisal will be integrated into restoration proposals. These may include recommendations for further archaeological work.
5.2 Publication and presentation
A report will be prepared according to the guidelines listed above. A suitably edited version can then be prepared for academic publication in an appropriate source according to the wishes of the client, if required.
6.1 Evaluation strategy
6.1.1 General strategy
The evaluation strategy will follow that outlined in the brief (plus addendum) issued by the client.
It is the normal policy of CKC Archaeology (Gardens Archaeology Project) to undertake the majority of their historic garden work by hand-excavation. Machinery will only be used in special circumstance where other solutions would be inefficient. In the case of this site, the existence of modern hard standing over much of the site will make the use of a JCB essential in the early stages of the work. However, this will be restricted mainly to the removal of hard standing material over such areas where this surface exists. Having brought machinery on site to carry out this work, should any time be left, the machine could be used to remove turf and topsoil from other areas. Also the team will reserve the option to use the machine to remove any substantial modern rubble that may be found filling the Central Basin.
Beyond this, the trenches will be hand-excavated personally by C K Currie MIFA and a team of four archaeologists that has been together intermittently since 1994. C K Currie will not only supervise this team, but will be working personally in the trenches helping with the excavation. He is fully validated by the Institute of Field Archaeologists in excavation, survey, research and development and cultural resource management. It is expected that the work will take approximately ten days.
The trenches will be recorded in plan and by sections at a scale of 1:20 unless special circumstances require planning at 1:10. The trenches will be excavated stratigraphically, according each context with a separate number. Single-feature planning will be undertaken if suitable remains are encountered. All features will be recorded by monochrome and colour photography, using appropriate scales.
The trenches will be backfilled by the archaeologists before leaving the site at the completion of the fieldwork.
All finds will be retained, including bone, with the exception of post-medieval brick and tile and oyster. The latter will be discarded on site after having been suitably sampled, unless there is good reason to do otherwise. Any early post-medieval brick and tile will be counted and weighed on site before discarding, with suitable samples taken for the archive if this is considered necessary. Should any human burials be discovered, these will be recorded in situ by plan and photograph, and will be reburied on site for further study at a later date if required.
6.1.2 Specific strategy (see plan at end of report)
It is hoped that the research aims can be answered by four linear test trenches plus a geophysical survey of 60m by 60m of the area of the Formal Basin. The latter will be carried out in advance of the excavation in that area.
6.1.2.1 Trench 1
This trench will try to determine the supply of water from the Lower Pool to the Central Basin. The exact length and width of this trench will be determined by the nature of the archaeology revealed during the first cutting in this area.
As the water supply is expected to be a linear culvert or pipe, the best method here is to place a linear trench at right-angles to the expected line of the culvert. This will be situated north and south from an approximate mid point on the former Terrace Walk between the two pools. It will be as close to the western edge of the former Central Basin as good sense will allow. It will also be sited in such a way as to obtain maximum subsidiary information about the site. For example, it is hoped it will determine the make-up and width of the Terrace Walk, and its stratigraphic relationship with the water supply.
Initially a trench approximately 10m by 1m will be excavated. Extensions may be made, up to a maximum width of 25m, depending on the archaeological information that is forthcoming.
6.1.2.2 Trench 2
This trench will seek to explore the nature of the make-up and infill of the Central Basin. It will be excavated at right-angles to the western edge of the Basin, although this may be shifted if the results from trench 1 suggest this action. The trench will be 5m by 1m in the first instance, expanding according to the requirements of answering the research aims for this part of the site. The expansion is unlikely to exceed 10m in length or 2m in width.
6.1.2.3 Trench 3
This trench will seek to explore the nature of the construction of the Terrace east of the Central Basin. It will be excavated at right-angles to the Terrace. The nature of the Terrace means that this trench will have to be excavated to a size of approximately 20m by 3m, expanding according to the requirements of answering the research aims for this part of the site. As well as noting the construction of the Terrace, it is hoped information about the original ground surface of the site can be obtained.
The trench will be stepped down in such a way that the deepest part of the trench will be 1m wide. None of the steps are to exceed 1.2m in depth.
6.1.2.4 Trench 4
This trench will seek to explore the nature of the make-up and infill of the Formal Basin. It will be excavated at right-angles to the western edge of the Basin, although this may be shifted to north or south of the site shown on the original proposal if circumstances dictate. The trench will be 5m by 1m in the first instance, expanding according to the requirements of answering the research aims for this part of the site. The expansion is unlikely to exceed 10m in length or 2m in width.
6.1.2.5 Geophysical survey
An area 60m by 60m will be explored over the area of the Formal Basin. This will be examined by resistivity using a grid of 20m squares. Reading will be taken at 1m intervals, and the results incorporated into research on the application of this method in historic gardens currently being undertaken by Martin Locock MIFA (cf. Currie and Locock 1991, 82-84).
6.1.2.6 Environmental Sampling
As late as 1991 environmental sampling of garden sites was not considered to be viable except in exceptional circumstances (Murphy & Scaife 1991, 85). Environmental sampling in gardens in the UK was pioneered by the author of this report and Martin Locock, under the guidance of Clare de Rouffignac (Currie 1990; Currie and Locock 1991; Currie 1995a). Because of the extensive literature already publish on this work, and its results (Currie and Locock 1993; Currie 1995b; Currie 1996), the reader is referred to these for a detailed account of the methodology.
This evaluation does not have the recovery of environmental material as one of its research aims. However, should the opportunity arise, funds from the contingency fee will be allocated to sampling to act as a guide for future expectations. Sites that might be considered worth sampling may include the ground surface beneath the Terrace and the lowest silts of the excavated pools.
Environmental sampling for CKC Archaeology (Gardens Archaeology Project) is carried out by Elizabeth Pearson of Hereford & Worcester County Council Archaeology Section (Elizabeth being the in-post successor to Clare de Rouffignac).
6.2 Recording (see appendices)
Recording will be undertaken using standardised pro-formas and other materials supplied by CKC Archaeology, based on English Heritage's Central Excavating Service, Site Recording Manual, version 7, London, 1992.
6.3 Post-excavation strategy
All retained artefacts and ecofacts will be cleaned, conserved and packaged according to the requirements of the recipient museum. These will be studied by suitably experienced staff, and any information gained from them will be incorporated into the final report. The project archive will be prepared according to the requirements of the recipient museum and national guidelines. Cataloguing of finds is undertaken on a suitable pro-forma designed for this purpose.
Suitable provision will be made for the conservation of any finds so requiring special conditions of treatment and packaging according to the guidelines laid down by the Society of Museum Archaeologists, Towards an Accessible Archaeological Archive (London, 1995), pp. 23-24.
6.4 Report preparation
The report will be written to guidelines laid down by English Heritage in The management of archaeological projects (London, revised edition, 1992). The ordering of information, and the information given, will follow the guidelines given within this document, but may be altered according to the specific needs of the report. Additional guidance was taken from the Institute of Field Archaeologists' Standard and guidance for archaeological evaluations (Birmingham, 1993) where considered appropriate.
6.5 Copyright
C K Currie (trading as CKC Archaeology) shall retain full copyright of any commissioned reports or other project documents written by himself or his agents, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 with all rights reserved; excepting that it hereby provides an exclusive licence to the client for the use of such documents by the client in all matters directly relating to the project as described in the project design.
7.1 Team background
The work will be carried out and directed personally by Christopher Currie. Where necessary specialist advice will be sought from appropriate consultants used by CKC Archaeology. Mr Currie's qualifications are outlined below.
Christopher K Currie, B.A. (Hons.), M.Phil., M.I.F.A., M.I.F.M.
University of Wales, Cardiff, 1973-6; University College, London, 1985-8; Member of the Institute of Fisheries Management since 1987; Member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists since 1990 (Validated Areas of Competence: survey, excavation, research and development).
Garden archaeological projects include: Southwick Park, The Wakes, Leigh Park, Langton House, North Stoneham and The Vyne, all Hampshire; Castle Bromwich Hall and Oak House, West Midlands; Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire; Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire; The Gnoll, Glamorganshire; Dartington Hall, Devon; Court of Noke, Herefordshire; Knowle Hill, Derbyshire; Roxford, Hertfordshire; Polesden Lacey, Surrey; Beningborough Hall, Yorkshire; Drumlanrig Castle, Scotland etc.
He will be assisted by four qualified and experienced members of staff:
Trevor Steptoe BA HND (Bournemouth; Archaeological Practice); 30 years amateur experience with Avon Valley Archaeological Society; recently completed mature student degree course at Bournemouth. Member of this team since July 1994. Garden archaeology experience with this team at The Wakes (Currie 1996) and The Vyne, Hampshire. Age: 50
Neil Rushton; Final year mature student in archaeology at Southampton University. Amateur experience with the Avon Valley Archaeological Society. Member of this team since August 1994. Garden archaeology experience with this team at The Wakes (Currie 1995c), The Vyne, Hampshire, and Court of Noke, Herefordshire. Age: 29
Marion White BA; archaeological graduate. Member of this team since December 1994. Garden archaeology experience with this team at The Vyne, Hampshire. Age: 27
Neil FitzPatrick BA PIFA; archaeological graduate. Member of this team since December 1994. Garden archaeology experience with this team at Knowle Hill, Derbyshire, and Stoneham Rectory, and The Vyne, Hampshire. Age: 28
Specialist consultants pertaining to this project:
Professor Frank Chambers Professor of Geography, Cheltenham University; Pollen and soil analysis consultant with Gardens Archaeology Project since its inception in 1989.
Elizabeth Pearson, Environmental Archaeologist, Hereford & Worcester County Council Archaeology Secion. Hereford & Worcester CC Archaeology Section has been our environmental consultants since inception in 1989.
7.2 Health and Safety
The Health and Safety policies to be followed by CKC Archaeology are given in Andrews et al,Health and safety in field archaeology (1991). This policy has been incorporated into the archaeological organisation registration documents lodged with the Institute of Field Archaeologists.
7.3 Insurance
Christopher Currie, trading as CKC Archaeology, has the following insurance:
Professional Indemnity; R E Brown Underwriters, limit ?1m.
Public Liability: insured with Council for British Archaeology, master policy held with Commercial Union, limit ?2m.
Employer's Liability: policy no. UP948P10672, no limit.
It is hoped that the project could be started in August 1997. In all but exceptional circumstances, completion of the field work will be within ten working days.
The fieldwork will be monitored by English Heritage.
W H Andrews, J L Allen, & A St John Holt, Health and safety in field archaeology (Southampton, 1991).
Central Excavating Service, Site Recording Manual, version 7, London, 1992.
C K Currie, 'The role of environmental sampling in the interpretation of historic gardens', West Midlands Archaeology, 33 (1990), 8-13
C K Currie, 'Altered soils: a need for a radical revision of policy', pp. 99-106, in J Beavis & K Barker (eds.), Science and site: evaluation and conservation, Bournemouth University School of Conservation Sciences, 1995a
C K Currie, 'Excavations in the park and gardens at Leigh Park, Havant, 1992', Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, 51 (1995b), 201-32
C K Currie, 'Excavations in the gardens at The Wakes, Selborne, 1992', Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, 51 (1995c), 187-200
C K Currie, 'Excavations in the gardens of Hanbury Hall, Worcestershire, 1991-3' Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Journal 15 (1996), 225-44
C K Currie & M Locock, 'An analysis of the archaeological techniques undertaken during the first year's excavations at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, 1989-90', Garden History 19.1 (1991), 77-99
C K Currie & M Locock, 'Excavations at Castle Bromwich Hall gardens 1989-91' Post-Medieval Archaeology, 27 (1993), 111-99
English Heritage, The management of archaeological projects, London, 1992 (revised edition).
Institute of Field Archaeologists, Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluations, Birmingham, 1993.
J Owen (ed.), Towards an accessible archaeological archive, Society of Museum Archaeologists, London, 1995
CKC Archaeology : Context Recording Form
| Co-ordinates | Site sub div | Site code | Context number | ||||
| Category | |||||||
| Length | Width | Diameter | Height/depth | ||||
| SOLIS | Colour | ||||||
| Texture | |||||||
| Consistence | |||||||
| Coarse Components | |||||||
| Structure | |||||||
| Bonding Agent | |||||||
| Constituents | |||||||
| Descriptive Text | |||||||
| | |||||||
| Earlier Than | Below | ||||||
| Filled By | |||||||
| Cut by | |||||||
| Butted by (structure) | |||||||
| Comments | |||||||
| Contemp | Within | ||||||
| Contains | |||||||
| Bonded With (structure) | |||||||
| Same as | |||||||
| Comments | |||||||
| Later Than | Above | ||||||
| Fill of | |||||||
| Cuts | |||||||
| Butts (structure) | |||||||
| Comments | |||||||
| Interpretation | |||||||
| | |||||||
| Plan no. | Section no. | ||||||
| Mono/Slide Photo no. | Colour Photo no. | ||||||
| Recorder | Date | ||||||
Based on Central Archaeological Service Site Recording Manual, version 7, June 1992; Context Record Form
| CKC Archaeology Finds Recording Form | Site | |||
| Context | ||||
| Material | Identification/Nos./Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone | ||||
| Flint | ||||
| Slate | ||||
| Burnt Clay | ||||
| Clay Pipe | ||||
| Brick | ||||
| Tile | ||||
| Mortar | ||||
| Plaster | ||||
| Glass | ||||
| Iron | ||||
| Other Metals | ||||
| Slags | ||||
| Wood | ||||
| Bone Objects | ||||
| Leather | ||||
| Human Bone Continuation Sheet Y/N | ||||
| Pottery Continuation Sheet Y/N | Form | Fabric | No/Wt | Period |
| Animal Bone Continuation Sheet Y/N | ||||