ROCK FARM LLANDENNY USK MONMOUTHSHIRE€¦ · Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire:...
Transcript of ROCK FARM LLANDENNY USK MONMOUTHSHIRE€¦ · Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire:...
ROCK FARM LLANDENNY
USK MONMOUTHSHIRE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
MARCH 2009
For
MR AND MRS S. CASTLING
CA PROJECT: 2617 CA REPORT: 08142
ROCK FARM LLANDENNY, USK MONMOUTHSHIRE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
CA PROJECT: 2617 CA REPORT: 08142
prepared by Steven Sheldon, Project Supervisor
date 23 March 2009
checked by Richard Young, Project Manager
date 25 March 2009
approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts
signed
date 26 March 2009
issue 01
This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely
at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.
© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ
Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected]
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
CONTENTS
SUMMARY........................................................................................................................2
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 3
2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) .......................................................................................... 5
3. DISCUSSION....................................................................................................... 5
4. CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 5
5. REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 6
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ..................................................................... 7
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS…………………………………………………………………….11
APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM............................................................................ 92
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2 The site, showing location of groundworks (1:1000)
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
SUMMARY
Project Name: Rock Farm
Location: Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire
NGR: SO 03850 41100
Type: Watching Brief
Date: 14 July 2008
Planning Reference: M/10558
Location of Archive: To be deposited with the RCAHMW
Site Code: RFC 08
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during
groundworks associated with the conversion of cowsheds into residential units at Rock
Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire.
The watching brief identified a single posthole of 17th to 18th-century date. No further
features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no
artefacts pre-dating the modern period were recovered.
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 In July 2008 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching
brief for Mr and Mrs S. Castling at Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire
(centred on NGR: SO 03850 41100; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to
fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for the conversion of cowsheds into
residential units (Planning ref: M/10558). The planning consent also covers the
conversion of adjacent barns. This work has yet to be undertaken. The objective of
the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the
development.
1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of
Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2008) and approved by Mr Neil Maylan
Archaeological Planning Manager, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. The
fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching
Brief issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (2001) and the Management of
Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991).
The site
1.3 The site comprises the barn and associated outbuildings of Rock Farm. The farm is
located on the western edge of Llandenny, slightly apart from the rest of the village
(Fig. 2). The site lies on the 40m contour on land rising gently from the Olway Brook,
a minor tributary of Usk, which it meets 2.5 km away, at Usk itself (Fig. 1). The farm
site and the fields immediately around it are almost level, in an otherwise hilly
district.
1.4 The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Estuarine Alluvium of the
Pleistocene and Recent periods (BGS 1974). This was not encountered during the
course of this project due to the relatively shallow nature of the works.
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
Archaeological background
1.5 The Grade II Listed barn and Cowsheds for conversion form part of a traditional farm
group associated with the Rock Farmhouse. The buildings are described in the
listing information as of probable 18th-century date, with attached low ranges of
probable late 18th century or early 19th-century date, as well as later 19th-century
additions. The stables comprise a lofted stable range with cartshed attached to the
southern end, and are of probable early to mid 19th-century date. The buildings are
all described as being of rubble stone construction. A building recording survey (CA
2009) undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in June 2008 has supported these
general conclusions and has added much detail to the structural history of the group.
It cast light on the changes in economic use of the building in the 20th century. In
particular, it became clear that the range was multi-period and had grown organically
in response to changing needs. Slight indications of an earlier layout were noted.
1.6 The origins and original layout of the settlement at Llandenny are unknown, but it
has been suggested that Rock Farm was one of the original settlement areas. It is
defined as a historic core area in Monmouthshire Historic Settlements: An
Archaeological Survey written by Martin Locock on behalf of Monmouthshire County
Council (N Maylan pers. comm.).
Methodology
1.7 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2008). An
archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the removal of
the existing brick floor of Cowsheds 1 and 2 (Fig. 2).
1.8 Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA
Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).
1.9 The archive and finds from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in
Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner these will be deposited
with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
(RCAHMW). A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B,
will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)
2.1 Ground reduction works in Cowshed 1 revealed a single, homogenous, make-up
layer 101 comprising a sandy clay with moderate limestone rubble inclusions. This
was sealed by the existing red brick surface 100.
2.2 Ground reduction works in Cowshed 2 revealed a single, homogenous, make-up
layer 201 comprising a sandy clay with moderate limestone rubble inclusions. This
was cut by modern posthole 203 which was filled by limestone rubble 202. Both
deposits were sealed by the existing red brick surface 200.
2.3 No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during
groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefacts pre-dating the
modern period were recovered.
Finds
2.4 Pottery, ceramic building material, vessel glass and metalwork were recovered from
layer 101 and posthole fill 202 (Appendix B).
2.5 The finds recovered from layer 101 comprised modern pantile, translucent green
vessel glass and an iron chain ring. All are modern in date and have not been
retained.
2.6 Pottery was only present in posthole fill 202 and consists of four sherds (26g) of a
yellow slipware dish, characteristic of late 17th to 18th century dating.
3. DISCUSSION
3.1 The watching brief identified a single posthole of 17th to 18th-century date. No
further archaeological remains were identified in the areas of observed groundworks
due to the limited depth and extent of these works.
4. CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Cherylynne Hyde. The report was written by Steven
Sheldon. The illustrations were prepared by Jemma Elliot. The archive has been
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Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Archaeological Watching Brief
compiled by Cherylynne Hyde and prepared for deposition by Kathryn Price. The
project was managed for CA by Richard Young.
5. REFERENCES
BGS (British Geological Survey) 1974 Monmouth, Sheet 233, Scale 1:50,000
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Written
Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire: Building
Recording, CA Typescript Report 08133
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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
AREA 1
No. Type Description Length
(m) Width (m)
Depth (m)
100 Layer Red brick floor of Cowshed 1 9.1m 4.3m 0.06m 101 Layer Reddish brown sandy clay make-up layer, below
100 9.1 4.3m >0.28m
AREA 2
No. Type Description Length
(m) Width (m)
Depth (m)
200 Layer Red brick floor of Cowshed 1 9.4m 4m 0.06m 201 Layer Reddish brown sandy clay make-up layer, below
200 9.4m 4m >0.28m
202 Fill Limestone and concrete rubble backfill of 203, not excavated
N/A 0.68m N/A
203 Cut Square post hole relating to existing cattle pens N/A 0.68m N/A
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APPENDIX B: THE FINDS
Concordance
Context Artefact type Count Weight (g) Spot-date 101 Ceramic building material: roof tile*
Modern vessel glass* Iron ring*
2 1 1
204 16 54
MOD
202 Post-medieval pottery: yellow slipware 4 26 C17-C18 *not retained.
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APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire
Short description (250 words maximum)
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the conversion of two barns and Cowsheds into residential units with car ports at Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire. The watching brief identified a single posthole of 17th to 18th-century date. No further features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefacts pre-dating the modern period were recovered.
Project dates 14 July 2008 Project type
Watching Brief
Previous work
Building Recording (CA 2008a)
Future work Unknown
PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Rock Farm, Llandenny, Usk, Monmouthshire Study area (M2/ha) 155m² Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SO 03830 41100
PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology
Project Manager Richard Young Project Supervisor Cherylynne Hyde PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of
archive Content
Physical RCAHMW N/A Paper RCAHMW Context sheets, location
plan, photographic registers, colour and black and white photographs
Digital RCAHMW Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Near Usk, Monmouthshire, Archaeological
Watching Brief. CA Report No. 08142
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2009 Rock Farm, Llandenny, Near Usk, Monmouthshire, Building Recording.
CA Report No. 08133
MonmouthshirePROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
N
PROJECT TITLE
SCALEDRAWN BY PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
0 2.5km
site
Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permissionof Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 c
Rock Farn, Llandenny, UskMonmouthshire
Site location plan
1:25,000@A4 2617JE 1
1279
35.7m
Path (um)
BM 36.10m32.6m
ath (um)
Oakfield
Rock Farm
Ty G
411
412412
038038
412
038
039
SO
PROJECT TITLE
FIGURE TITLE
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
N
SCALEDRAWN BY PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
0 100m
Rock Farm, Llandenny, UskMonmouthshire
The site, showing location ofgroundworks
Reproduced from the 2007 Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permissionof Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 c
1:1000@A4 2617JE 2
stable
barn
granary
cowshed 1
cowshed 2
farmhouse
Area of groundworks