Series: RSK ADAS Ltd

Between December 2020 and January 2021, ADAS carried out an archaeological watching brief for UK Power Networks (UKPN) as required by Listed Building Consent (MC/20/1201). The groundworks were for a substation and associated cable trench. The watching brief area comprised the excavation of the substation and associated cable trench for the scheme. The various sections of the cable trench were recorded as Areas A-D and the Joint Bay Trench (Figure 2; Plates 1-17). Archaeological monitoring in the Substation Trench identified brick walls (1005) as well as earlier stone wall foundations (1006) of Oriel House Grade II Listed Building. No buried archaeological remains were observed during the monitoring of Cable Trench Area Althea sections of wall observed in the Cable Trench Area B (1016) and the Joint Bay Trench (1035) were both comprised of limestone and flint and likely form part of the same wall. The wall is aligned broadly north/south with an existing wall along Archdeaconry Road and The Precinct.

The archaeological methodology used was effective and the results of the archaeological investigations indicate with a high degree of confidence that no buried archaeological remains or artefacts were harmed by the groundworks. Only modern made ground was impacted by the groundworks. No archaeologically significant features or artefacts associated with the Dyer’s Hall Scheduled Monument (Listing No. 1002057) or the buried 1800’s tessellated pavement, were identified during the monitoring of the groundworks

Despite the geotechnical trial pits being located within a potentially rich archaeological area, the archaeological monitoring and recording during the groundworks did not identify any archaeological remains. The absence of archaeological features recorded during the archaeological monitoring may be attributed to the relatively limited ground impact of the trial pits in these fields. These results indicate that the monitoring methodology used was effective in ensuring that the development resulted in no harm to the historic environment resource. Despite the geotechnical trial pits being located within a potentially rich archaeological area, the archaeological monitoring and recording during the groundworks did not identify any archaeological remains.

In June 2020, ADAS carried out an archaeological watching brief for Structural Soils Ltd on behalf of Morrison Utility Services for emergency repair works to an existing water main. The groundworks comprised hand digging two inspection pits for two boreholes, an entry and receptor pit for directional drilling and a trench between the existing water mains and one of the directional drilling pits. The groundworks took place in adjacent to the River Glyme, Wootton, West Oxfordshire. The site was located at NGR: SP 43668 19577. The groundworks were taking place in an area noted for the presence of a deserted Medieval village and had the potential to impact upon unknown buried archaeological remains within the development area. Although the groundworks were located within an area of archaeological potential, no archaeological features or artefacts were identified during monitoring of the groundworks. The archaeological monitoring recorded that the subsoil contained modern plastic and concretes likely associated with backfill following the placement of the original water main on the site. It is therefore possible that any groundworks associated with the original water main truncated or removed potential archaeological deposits at the location of the monitored trench and pits. The absence of archaeological features recorded during the archaeological monitoring of the groundworks may be attributed to the relatively limited impact of the groundworks. These results indicate that the monitoring methodology used was effective in ensuring that the development resulted in no harm to the historic environment resource. Although the groundworks were located within an area of archaeological potential, no archaeological features or artefacts were identified during monitoring of the groundworks. The archaeological monitoring recorded that the subsoil contained modern plastic and concretes likely associated with backfill following the placement of the original water main on the site. It is therefore possible that any groundworks associated with the original water main truncated or removed potential archaeological deposits at the location of the monitored trench and pits.

Monitoring and historic building recording during redevelopment works In September 2020 to March 2021 ADAS carried out an archaeological watching brief for Progress Planning Land Development Ltd of groundworks required for redevelopment of the Barn south-east of Solesbridge Mill House, Hertfordshire, as shown on Figure 1 (NGR: TQ 04329 96967). The barn was recorded as a Grade II Listed Structure (List Number: 1100869) and it was understood that the planning permission and Listed Building Consent has been granted for the conversion of agricultural barn into a single residential dwelling with associated access and erection of a new outbuilding (Planning Ref: 20/0654/FUL; Listed Building Consent: 20/0655/LBC). It is likely that the possible pit recorded in trench 3 is the remains of a refuse pit from the modern period given its truncation of the made ground overburden. It is possible that this is associated with the barn but more likely with the nearby Trout Farm to the south.The natural substrate was observed in Trenches 1 and 6, however these trenches were recorded to contain no buried archaeological remains or artefacts. Intrusive groundworks in the location of Trenches 4, 5 and 7 did not reach the natural substrate and no buried archaeological remains were identified. No deposits or artefacts were identified during the monitoring associated with the probable Roman Villa which was thought to have been located adjacent to the Site and the River Chess (Hunn, 2001; Frere et al, 1989). The monitoring did not encounter any additional remains associated with the either the construction of the Grade II Listed Barn or the nearby post-medieval water mill. The presence of large amounts of made ground on the site would suggest that the area surrounding the barn was previously subjected to landscaping of dumping of material likely associated with the construction and use of the ponds of Trout Farm to the south and west of the barn.

The development consisted of the demolition of the existing dwelling and garage and the erection of a new detached dwelling and outbuilding at 8 St Albans Gardens, Teddington, TW11 8AE. No archaeological finds or features were encountered during the excavation.

Archaeological programme of works designed to mitigate and repair damage to Broadfield Barrow Scheduled Monument resulting from a badger sett. The scheme included a geophysical survey and archaeological monitoring during vegetation clearance and ecological mitigation for the closure of the badger sett. The archaeological monitoring of the limited intrusive works carried out during the repair works was successful in identifying and interpreting the upper most stratigraphy at the top and base of the bowl barrow and outside of the Scheduled Monument and ring ditch. The results of the geophysical survey (TigerGeo, 2020) suggest that Special Find 2 may have been recovered from the upper fill of the ditch surround the bowl barrow. It can be suggested that barrow mound material 102 represents the upper fill of the ring ditch, although further archaeological investigation would be required to confirm this. It can be suggested that the bowl barrow was deliberately located to take advantage of the soft silty sand natural geology into which the ring ditch was excavated to construct the Scheduled Monument. The barrow mound material 101 identified at the top of the bowl barrow was very similar to the natural geology observed in the new perimeter fence post holes excavated to the south and west of the bowl barrow. This is further supported by the hard limestone natural geology encountered in the post holes immediately north of the bowl barrow. The location of the possible skeuomorphs is of note. Special Find 1 was recovered from the top of the bowl barrow at the interface between barrow mound material 101 and topsoil 100. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to indicate when this artefact was deposited. By contrast, Special Find 2 was recovered from the base of the bowl barrow and possibly from the upper fill of the ring ditch. This suggests Special Find 2 was deposited after the ring ditch had been completely infilled, although it is uncertain if this deposition was deliberate or by natural means (i.e. natural erosion of the bowl barrow and displacement of the artefact). No further analysis of the possible skeuomorphs recovered during the archaeological monitoring is required, although the objects should be retained as part of the Site archive so that research can be carried out on them in the future, if appropriate. The absence of archaeological features recorded during the archaeological monitoring can be attributed to the relatively limited ground impact of the repair works. It was noted by the experienced ecologists on Site that the present-day undulating nature of the bowl barrow was likely a result of soil up cast resulting from the formation of the badger sett. This was corroborated by the farmer, who explained that the monument was a “smooth mound” when he first occupied the farm some 40 years ago prior to the formation of the badger sett (personal communication 28.08.2020).

In May, June and July 2020, ADAS carried out an archaeological watching brief for Western Power Distribution as requested by Ms Cat Lodge, the senior archaeologist for North Somerset Council. The groundworks were for a cable route in Banwell, North Somerset between ST 38336 58969 and ST40140 593093 as shown on Figure 1. The groundworks consisted of excavations for a new fibre optic cable. Although the cable route was located within a rich archaeological area of potential, no archaeological artefacts or features were identified during monitoring of the groundworks. The absence of archaeological features recorded during the monitoring of the cable route may be attributed to the relatively limited impact of the groundworks. These results indicate that the monitoring methodology used was effective in ensuring that the development resulted in no harm to the historic environment resource. Although the cable route was located within a rich archaeological area of potential associated with the nearby Banwell Caves and Banwell itself, no archaeological artefacts or features were identified during monitoring of the groundworks. The absence of archaeological features recorded during the archaeological monitoring may be attributed to the relatively limited ground impact of the cable trench and the existing road carriageways at the eastern end of the Route which may have truncated previously unknown archaeological remains. These results indicate that the monitoring methodology used was effective in ensuring that the development resulted in no harm to the historic environment resource.

An archaeological watching brief was carried out of a new cable trench and two joint bays. No archaeological finds or features were encountered during the monitoring. An archaeological watching brief was carried out for groundworks located at Blackroot Bistro, Sutton Park for a new electricity supple. The groundworks comprised the excavation of a new cable route and two joint bays. No archaeology was encountered during the groundworks.

Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of new agricultural building. 15 m x 12 m area topsoil stripped to maximum depth of 15 m, no features or finds of archaeological significance observed.