| Title: |
Archaeological Monitoring and Recording in advance of the Construction of a Footpath and Cycle Bridge at Kingsteignton, Teignbridge, Devon |
| Series: |
South West Archaeology Ltd. unpublished report series
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southwes1-512820_208469.pdf (2 MB)
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| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
This report presents the results of archaeological monitoring and recording that was carried out by South West Archaeology Ltd. (SWARCH) during groundworks in advance of the construction of a footpath and a cycle bridge at Kingsteignton, Teignbridge, Devon. The work was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation (Dalby 2021) that was agreed with the Devon County Council Historic Environment Team (DCHET). The northern approach to the new bridge was reduced prior to the commencement of archeological monitoring and recording works. The section demonstrated that the bank on which the footpath is located consists of ballclay spoil. A sequence of alluvial deposits was exposed in the lower side of the trench. These consisted of (from top to bottom): a topsoil layer of grey-brown clay-silt topsoil; a layer of dense mid brown stoneless clayey silt; a thin band of soft mottled grey silt; a thin band of off-white medium sand; a layer of very firm mid grey silt clay; a thick band of interbedded grey sandy silts with lighter sands; and a basal layer of coarse grit with small rounded pebbles (boreholes that were located 0.8km+ to the south of the site indicated 20’ - 29’ (6.09m - 8.83m) of alluvial deposits in the base of the valley). The topsoil (up to 0.2m) was stripped from the southern approach to the new bridge, with a deeper section dug adjacent to the river. A similar sequence of alluvial deposits was encountered here. In the location of the two new bridge abutments, coffer dams were installed and reinforced concrete piles were driven in. The material from around the piles was then removed. This work was not monitored due to health and safety considerations (heavy plant and unstable sides). No artefacts, masonry, or preserved timbers were observed during the archaeological monitoring and recording works. The excavations for the two new bridge abutments were up to 1.8m deep, but they still lay above the level of the riverbed. A parish boundary marker was noted at the north-eastern end of the northern approach. This was a roughly shaped granite post 1.3m long and 0.2m by 0.2m in section. The lower half had been set into ballclay spoil (and thus it had clearly been moved before) and the base had been sawn off. The upper section was incised with a large ‘T’ symbol c.0.2m high. The results of the archaeological monitoring and recording works did not identify any deposits or structures that might be associated with an earlier crossing of the river. The account of Taylor (1821) would suggest that the current bridge was preceded by three earlier masonry structures, with preserved timbers encountered below the second bridge in the sequence. That account speculates the accumulation of 10’ (3.04m) of alluvium since the construction of the red sandstone bridge which, if correct, would indicate that the Roman levels are very deeply buried. |
| Author: |
Bryn W Morris
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| Publisher: |
South West Archaeology Ltd.
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| Year of Publication: |
2023
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| Locations: |
| County: |
Devon |
| District: |
Teignbridge |
| Country: |
England |
| Parish: |
Teigngrace |
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Grid Reference: 285885, 73447 (Easting, Northing)
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
southwes1-512820 |
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| Created Date: |
04 Jul 2023 |
