Title: |
The Cornmill Stream Improvement Scheme, Waltham Abbey, Essex. An Archaeological Watching Brief |
Number of Pages: |
28 |
Biblio Note |
Please note that this is a bibliographic record only, as originally entered into the BIAB database.
The ADS have no files for download, and unfortunately cannot advise further on where to access hard copy or digital versions.
|
Publication Type: |
Report
|
Abstract: |
A watching brief was carried out during wall refurbishment works at two sites within the Cornmill Stream, immediately to the north-west of the Abbey church and parallel with the west wall of the monastic precinct at Waltham Abbey. The removal of one wall provided a 15m long section, composed almost entirely of alluvial deposits, within the postulated Lower Mill Stream, which had run parallel to the Cornmill Stream during the early medieval period. This channel was considered to have been the original stream to the mill at Waltham. Beneath the alluvium, to the south, a short length of a robbed timber structure was recorded. This was likely to have been associated with the front of an early medieval mill set into the lower stream. The removal of an existing 18th century riverside wall exposed a 5m long section of an earlier brick wall, which had been utilised as part of its lower foundation. The bricks in the lower wall could have dated from as early as the 16th century. It appeared to have marked a major phase of reconstruction to the riverside walls and the mill island beyond.The works to the west wall of the central mill island similarly produced two phases of identical brick wall, which were considered to have been contemporary with those found along the west side of the stream. Immediately behind these footings, the north-east corner of an earlier medieval masonry structure, of 13th century date, was partially exposed in plan. These walls would have formed the upstream, forward section of one of the early Waltham mills, or the surround to its island. Later deposits indicated an apparent 16th century phase of rebuilding, with the early structure being partially robbed, and a destruction layer composed of roof pegtiles accumulating. It was likely that these works had been contemporary with the lower brick builds of the mill island and the adjoining riverside wall. From the modern sludge at the east edge of the Cornmill Stream, alongside the monastic precinct wall, a 19th century British army officer's levee sword with an ivory handle was recovered. [Au(abr)] |
Author: |
Ian Blair
|
Publisher: |
MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology)
|
Year of Publication: |
1998
|
Locations: |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Waltham Abbey |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Waltham Beneath |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Cornmill Stream |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Lower Mill Stream |
Location - Auto Detected: |
Waltham |
|
Subjects / Periods: |
16th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
18th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
19th Century British (Auto Detected Temporal) |
Medieval (Auto Detected Temporal) |
13th Century (Auto Detected Temporal) |
|
Note: |
Date Of Issue From:
1998
Date Of Coverage From:
01
Date Of Coverage To:
01
Editorial Expansion:
Site name: THE CORNMILL STREAM IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, WALTHAM ABBEY Study area: Investigation type: Post-determination/Research District: Epping Forest Monument: Ngr: TL38070070 Parish: Waltham Abbey Postcode: EN9 1QX
|
Source: |
BIAB
(Archaeological Investigations Project (AIP))
|
Created Date: |
18 Jan 2009 |