1100965. Cite this using datacite

Title:

Devonport Buildings, King William Walk, Greenwich Archaeological Field Evaluation Report

Series:

Oxford Archaeological Unit unpublished report series

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.5284/1100965

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract:

Detailed recording of burial evidence was carried out as specified in the OA Field Manual (Wilkinson 1992); Section 3.5 ‘Recording and excavation of skeletons and coffins: Introduction’ in the MoLAS Archaeological Site Manual, and McKinley and Roberts (1993) ‘Excavation and post-excavation treatment of cremated and inhumed human remains’, IFA Technical Paper No. 13. The archaeological work at the Royal Hospital Greenwich involved two watching briefs, an evaluation, the excavation at the proposed site of an electrical sub-station and the excavation of Areas 1 and 2 within the footprint of the proposed conference facility. Archaeological Watching Brief July 1999Seven test pits were excavated to a common width of 1.0m and varied in length from 2.0-3.4m. Depth was dependent on the revealed deposits and the level of the natural sand/gravel. The test pits were mechanically excavated using a toother bucket. Their depth precluded any manual cleaning or close visual examination of revealed deposits. Within these constraints, it was possible to produce reasonably accurate records of the stratigraphy. Artefacts were recorded but not retained. The excavation method and the ground conditions meant that it was extremely difficult to distinguish between hitherto undisturbed graves, and scatters of redeposited human bone. Archaeological Evaluation November 1999Four trenches measuring 2.5m by 2m were located within the footprint of the proposed conference facility and a single trench of the same dimensions was located within the footprint of the proposed student accommodation buildings. Mechanical excavation of overburden or archaeologically insignificant deposits proceeded to the top of archaeological deposits, burials or natural (whichever was the highest). All further investigation was by hand.The skeletons were exposed cleaned, assessed, planned and photographed, but not lifted. Archaeological Watching Brief Student Accommodation and SubstationAn archaeological watching brief (Trench 15) was carried out in the area of the proposed student accommodation (c.22m x 10m2) and associated services and in the area of the proposed electrical substation close to the Maritime Museum. The area of the proposed substation was not accessible in the archaeological evaluation of 1999 as it was located beneath an existing bicycle shed. The trench measured 3.36m x 4.05m with deep foundations. It was anticipated that some skeletons would need excavating and removal whilst those not suffering direct impact from the new construction would be left in situ. As with previous phases, the location of grave groups and surface features (such as coffin wood and human remains) would be planned. Archaeological Excavation Areas 1 and 2 June-September 2001Areas 1 and 2 lay within the footprint of the proposed conference facility. Excavation of archaeological features (principally graves) was carried out in designated areas where piling would impact the archaeological deposits. A total of 29 pile locations of three different sizes (Single, double and triple) were investigated (numbered trenches 3000-3015 in Area 1, and trenches 6000-6012 in Area 2). The ground level was reduced until the grave cuts were visible. The pile locations were surveyed using an EDM, and marked on the ground. Any burials lying within or partly within the pile excavation area were subjected to full excavation. All graves cutting or cut by the grave within the piling trench were also fully excavated. Samples for stomach contents were taken from approximately 25% of the burials. Wooden coffins and any associated fittings, including nails, were recorded on a proforma coffin recording sheet.

Author:

S Weaver

Publisher:

Oxford Archaeology

Year of Publication:

1999

Locations:

Parish:	Greenwich, unparished area
District:	Greenwich
County:	Greater London
Country:	England

Grid Reference: 538498, 177599 (Easting, Northing)

Subjects / Periods:

UNCERTAIN (Historic England Periods)
LATE IRON AGE (Historic England Periods)
POST MEDIEVAL (Historic England Periods)
	EVALUATION (Event)
	POST MEDIEVAL PIN (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL POT (Tag)
	ANIMAL REMAINS (Object England)
	POST MEDIEVAL OYSTER SHELL (Tag)
	WINDOW GLASS (Object England)
	WATCHING BRIEF (Event)
	EXCAVATION (Event)
	UNCERTAIN WALL (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL COFFIN FITTING (Tag)
	DITCH (Monument Type England)
	POST MEDIEVAL NAIL (Tag)
	OYSTER SHELL (Object England)
	WALL (Monument Type England)
	POST MEDIEVAL TILE (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL PLANT MACRO REMAINS (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL WINDOW GLASS (Tag)
	UNCERTAIN STRUCTURE (Tag)
	PLANT MACRO REMAINS (Object England)
	UNCERTAIN DITCH (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL CHARNEL PIT (Tag)
	VESSEL (Object England)
	LATE IRON AGE VESSEL (Tag)
	TILE (Object England)
	CHARNEL PIT (Monument Type England)
	CLAY PIPE (SMOKING) (Object England)
	GRAVE (Monument Type England)
	POST MEDIEVAL CLAY PIPE (SMOKING) (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL ANIMAL REMAINS (Tag)
	PIN (Object England)
	NAIL (Object England)
	POT (Object England)
	POST MEDIEVAL BRICK (Tag)
	POST MEDIEVAL BUTTON (Tag)
	COFFIN FITTING (Object England)
	POST MEDIEVAL GRAVE (Tag)
	BRICK (Object England)
	BUTTON (Object England)
	STRUCTURE (Monument Type England)

Identifiers:

OASIS Id:

oxfordar1-509744

Source:

OASIS (OASIS)

Relations:

Created Date:

22 Nov 2022