An Archaeological Evaluation at Lyminge, Kent

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "An Archaeological Evaluation at Lyminge, Kent"

Transcription

1 An Archaeological Evaluation at Lyminge, Kent For Pentland Homes Ltd By Dr. Gabor Thomas and Daniel Bray

2 Executive Summary This report assesses the results of an archaeological evaluation (comprising a geophysical survey followed by trial-trenching) undertaken in the summer of 2010 by the University of Reading on a parcel of land on the south-west of Lyminge village owned by Mr Paul Tory of Pentland Homes Ltd. The results demonstrate that the site contains several distinct concentrations of archaeology spanning key episodes in Lyminge s historical development over the past 1,200 years. Of greatest significance and sensitivity are a series of features attributable to Mid-Saxon period (7th-9th centuries AD), forming part of an Anglo-Saxon monastic settlement under investigation by the University of Reading since The new evidence, furnishing crucial insights into the spatial organisation of the monastic settlement, includes the site of one or more smithies associated with industrial-scale ironworking, and a spread of pits marking the westernmost extent of Middle Saxon domestic occupation. Two phases of medieval archaeology were also brought to light by the evaluation; these can best be interpreted with reference to the foundation and development of an estate complex under the control of the archbishops of Canterbury who acquired Lyminge shortly before the Norman Conquest. The first is represented by a dense concentration of Anglo-Norman (10th- 12th-century) occupation and pits encountered at the northern end of the evaluation (partially overlapping the earlier Mid Saxon archaeology) and the second by the demolished remains of a late medieval (15th century and later) structure or structures occupying landscaped terraces immediately to the south. Overall, the results indicate that the evaluated area preserves multiple sites of early medieval and medieval occupation of high archaeological sensitivity. The extensive Middle Saxon monastic settlement - of which the evaluation has brought to light key new evidence - is of international significance, on account of the extreme rarity of such settlements and of Anglo- Saxon sites more generally. The earlier Anglo-Norman phase of the archaeopiscopal estate complex is also of a sufficient rarity to be considered of national importance; the later medieval phases are of regional to local importance. On the basis of these results, it is recommended that any commercial development requiring planning consent and likely to result in significant ground disturbance, should be preceded by full-scale archaeological intervention; this recommendation applies especially to the northern sector of the site where Middle Saxon and Anglo-Norman archaeology is preserved in association. 2

3 Contents 1. Introduction Location, topography and geology Archaeological and historical background Lyminge in the Anglo-Saxon period The monastic archaeology of Anglo-Saxon Lyminge Later medieval activity Objectives and methodology Results Northern sector Central sector Southern sector Finds and environmental evidence Pottery Animal bone Iron slag Environmental remains General conclusions and recommendations Bibliography Figures Plates Appendices

4 1. Introduction The evaluation was directed by Dr. Gabor Thomas (lecturer in Early Medieval Archaeology at the University of Reading) and supervised by Daniel Bray (Thames Valley Archaeological Services), assisted in the field by students from the Universities of Reading and California (UCLA) and local volunteers. The evaluation took place between the 4th July and the 15th of August 2010 and the site code is AFL10. The report was written by Dr. Gabor Thomas with the assistance of Daniel Bray; drawings were prepared by Margaret Matthews of the Department of Archaeology, University of Reading. The excavation archive is currently held at the University of Reading. 1.1 Location, topography and geology The site (OS Grid Ref TR ) straddles a northward-facing spur of the North Downs (at the head of the Elham Valley) on western side of Lyminge between the churchyard and the village hall (Figure 1). The geology, Lower Chalk, outcrops as weathered bedrock on the slope sector, whereas at the northern end of the site it is overlain by Dry Valley and Nailbourne Deposits taking the appearance of a stiff orangey-brown clay (Geological Survey Sheet 289: Canterbury). The natural gradient of the spur has been modified by a series of earthworks, the most obvious of which is an artificially-levelled terrace, roughly 60m² in extent, lying immediately to the east of the village hall car park (Figure 1). This is bounded to the south by a prominent east-west scarp traversed by the footpath leading from the southern corner of the village hall car park to the north-west corner of the churchyard; further terraces lie immediately to the south of this footpath. Near the top of the slope, adjacent to the southern boundary of the churchyard, there is a further series of earthworks. Most notable is a large east-west holloway which represents the continuation of a major medieval ditch sampled in excavations by the University of Reading in This feature is accompanied by a further holloway, now used as a bridle path, running along the western boundary of the site. For convenience, the site can be divided into three topographical sectors: a relatively flat southern sector occupying the highest point of the ridge and where the eastern and western boundaries constrict to form a bottleneck (this area is recorded as Pound Mead on the 1837 Tithe Map); a central sector occupying sloping ground flanked to the east by the boundary of the churchyard; and a northern sector occupied by the large square terrace beside the village hall car park. The central and northern sectors formed a property labelled Court Lodge Green on the 1837 Tithe Map; this name evidently derives from a property called Court Lodge on a 16th-century estate map of Lyminge, shown immediately beyond the north-west corner of the churchyard. 4

5 2. Archaeological and historical background 2.1. Lyminge in the Anglo-Saxon period Although the history of human settlement at Lyminge extends deep into prehistory, it is the Anglo-Saxon period which has left the strongest archaeological imprint on the village. The place-name itself, together with references in historical sources, indicate that by the end of 6th century Lyminge had emerged as a royal estate and district centre controlling the resources of a large territory (or lathe ) stretching into Romney Marsh in the south and into the Weald in the west (Thomas 2005). The clearest archaeological evidence for this period of Anglo-Saxon activity are two inhumation cemeteries, the most important being that excavated on the northern perimeter of the village which included a contingent of richly furnished graves characteristic of the Kentish social elite in the 6th century (Warhurst 1955). The later trajectory of Anglo-Saxon Lyminge is bound up with the foundation of a monastery, more specifically a double minster, placed under the rule of a royal abbess. Monastic institutions of this type as also represented at Folkestone, Minster-in-Thanet and other Kentish sites - were adopted by the kings of Kent in imitation of aristocratic families on the Frankish continent (Tatton-Brown 1988). The foundation at Lyminge is traditionally ascribed to Ethelburga, sister of Edbald of Kent, in c.633 (from which the modern dedication St Mary and St Ethelburga is derived), but this association has been questioned by recent scholarship and a later 7th-century date is now preferred (Kelly 2006). Anglo-Saxon charters indicate that the community at Lyminge survived down into the 9th century when it received a land-grant within the walled circuit of Canterbury designed to act as a refuge from Viking raids then afflicting coastal regions of Kent (Kelly 2006). 2.2 The monastic archaeology of Anglo-Saxon Lyminge The first physical glimpses of the Anglo-Saxon monastery came to light in the 1850s and 1860s when Canon Jenkins undertook a series of excavations to the south of the parish church in an area now subsumed by the graveyard (Jenkins 1874; 1875; 1889)(Figure 1). During this work Jenkins uncovered the foundations of an early stone church closely linked in constructional style to other monastic churches from Anglo-Saxon Kent, including St Pancras, Canterbury, and St Mary, Reculver (Taylor 1969; Taylor & Taylor 1965, 408-9; 1978, 742, 1074, 1082). There are indications that this focal building may have been accompanied/replaced by other Anglo-Saxon stone structures recorded in Jenkins excavations, but the evidence is ambiguous and difficult to interpret. Since 2007, the University of Reading has been engaged in an archaeological project aiming to reconstruct the wider monastic landscape focused on the Anglo-Saxon church unearthed by Canon Jenkins. Systematic examination of open areas surrounding the churchyard with geophysics, test-pitting and large-scale excavation has identified an extensive Anglo-Saxon settlement comprising boundaries, timber buildings, dense concentrations of rock-cut pits and related industrial activity, spanning the 7th-to-9th centuries AD (Thomas 2010) (see Figure 1 for location of previous excavations). The work reported on here forms an integral component of this wider research framework and its findings provide crucial new data for interpreting the character and layout of the Middle Saxon monastic settlement. 5

6 2.3 Later Medieval activity Lyminge s significance as a monastery declined in the second half of the 10th century when King Eadgar gifted the majority of its estates to Christ Church, Canterbury; the community was finally suppressed in 1085 when Archbishop Lanfranc had Ethelburga s relics translated to St Gregory s Priory, Canterbury, and along with them the remainder of its estates. Thereafter the medieval manor of Lyminge, which included a greater part of the territories originally bestowed upon the Anglo-Saxon minster by the kings of Kent, was administered directly under the lordship of the archbishops of Canterbury; it was during this phase, in the year 1279, that Archbishop Peckham had a residence constructed at Lyminge (Du Boulay 1966, 24-5). Very little archaeological information existed for this period prior to the current scheme of research. Excavations by Jenkins to the west of the churchyard evidently recovered the ruins of Archbishop Peckham s residence (still standing in the 17th century), but no records or finds survive from the 19th century to verify his attribution (Jenkins 1874). More reliable evidence for medieval activity was recorded by University of Reading excavations in 2008 and 2009 in the form of a series of east-west boundary ditches, the largest of which traverses the southern sector of the site as a prominent holloway (Figure 1). These imposing features imply formal landscaping on a scale consistent with the outer court of a hypothesised archiepiscopal complex. 6

7 3. Objectives and methodology The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the presence/absence, condition, character, quality and date of any archaeological deposits found in the area. The investigation commenced with a magnetometer survey undertaken in May This identified several archaeological anomalies of potential archaeological significance, the strongest signals coming from the flat terrace in the northern sector and the smaller terraces located higher up the slope in the central sector (Figure 1). Between July 15th and August 14th 2010 a total of 9 machine-dug trenches were opened up across selected geophysical anomalies (Figure 2). Topsoil and overburden was removed under archaeological supervision by a digger fitted with a 1.2m ditching bucket (Plate 1). Where archaeological features were present, the stripped areas were cleaned using appropriate hand tools. The majority of archaeological features and deposits exposed were excavated by hand; linear ditches were sampled in slots, whereas discrete features such as pits and post-holes were half-sectioned. The recording and sampling of excavated deposits was based upon professional guidelines set out by the Institute of Archaeologists: 7

8 4. Results The stratigraphy of Trenches 5-10, located in the southern and central sectors, comprised relatively thin accumulations of topsoil above a light greyish-brown silty-clay subsoil superimposed above weathered chalk bedrock. A geological transition from a chalk to overlying Nailbourne strata was observed in the northern sector of the site in Trenches 2 and 4 (Plate 2). This was sealed by a mid brownish-orange silty-clay hillwash; all archaeological features were cut into this stratigraphic horizon indicating that the hillwash must pre-date the Mid Saxon period. 4.1 Northern sector Trench 1 (Figure 3) This east-west orientated trench was 30m in length and ranged from 0.50m deep at the east end to 0.80m deep at the west end. The stratigraphy comprised topsoil superimposed on a 0.15m-thick layer of dark brownish-grey silty-clay (18); this contained mainly medieval finds but some residual Anglo-Saxon pottery was also present. The underlying deposit was a dark greenish-brown clay (19) into which had been cut a number of archaeological features, including six pits (3, 5, 9, 29, 103 and 107) and one gully (7). The most significant of these features was (3), a sub-circular pit, 1.06m wide and 0.63m deep, with vertical sides a flat base: it can be dated to the Middle Saxon period on the basis of pottery which formed part of domestic assemblage also including nearly 100 fragments of animal bone (see Section 5.2) (Plate 3). It had seven fills (4, 20, 21, 22, 31, 49 and 50), and contained an assemblage of 66 pieces of iron (including fragments of manufactured objects such as knife blades intended for recycling) together with quantities of smithing slag (Figure 3). The upper fill of the pit, (4), almost entirely comprised of smithing slag, formed part of a much broader spread of slag evident as a continuous layer in the south-facing section of the trench (see Section 5.3). This extended between pit (4) and pit (29) for a distance of some 3.80m and registered as a large high-intensity anomaly on the geophysical survey (Figure 1; Plate 4). Potentially relating to the same phase of metalworking activity was (29), a large sub-circular pit, 3.85m wide and 1.14m deep. It consisted of five fills (30, 44, 45, 46 and 83) characterised by dense concentrations of charcoal and ash; finds were restricted to a few lumps of smithing slag and animal bone (Figure 4). The remaining cuts (5, 9, 29, 103 and 7) were all very ephemeral and produced no finds; it is possible that they represent the truncated remnants of more substantial features, but this can only be conjectured. Trench 2 (Figure 3) This trench, aligned north-south, measured 29.90m in length and ranged from 0.35m deep at the southern end to 0.56m at the northern end. A stratigraphic transition occurred towards the southern end of the trench corresponding to a change in the character of the natural: the sequence to the south comprised a light brownish-grey silty-clay subsoil overlaid on chalk bedrock, whereas that to the north comprised a firmly compacted mid brownish-orange clay hillwash superimposed on natural Nailbourne deposits. Archaeological features were cut into the hillwash of the northern sector and comprised two ephemeral pits (11 and 13), combined with a more substantial pit (42) measuring 1.15m wide and 0.52m deep with a single fill of 8

9 dark greyish-brown silty-clay (43). This produced a small assemblage of animal bone and pottery which dates the feature to the Anglo-Norman period (11th-12th centuries). Trench 3 (Figure 3) Aligned east-west, this trench measured 37.50m in length while its depth ranged from 0.40m at the eastern end to 1.30m at the western end. The stratigraphy comprised topsoil (0.20m- 0.30m thick) superimposed on a light brownish-grey silty-clay subsoil above natural chalk bedrock. There was a substantial declivity in the bedrock at the western end of the trench and it was clear that the original ground surface had been buried by a levelling deposit (made-up ground) in recent times, perhaps in association with the construction of the adjacent car park (Plate 5). A total of 21 features were recorded in the trench, some forming dense intercutting clusters from which it was difficult to discern clear stratigraphic relationships. There was an intercutting cluster of five pits at the western extremity of the trench; (26) and (119) extended under the northern-facing section, whereas (70, 68 and 111) extended under the opposite side of the trench. The largest of the pits was (70) with a diameter of 1.75m and a depth of 1.50m; it contained four fills (71, 84, 109 and 110) and produced a large assemblage of structural daub (Plate 8). The remaining pits produced few finds restricted to small assemblages of animal bone. The middle section of the trench was occupied by a dense concentration of ten intercutting features (36, 38, 40, 53, 60, 64, 73, 75, 80 and 85). The fills of these features were characterised by bands of light brownish-grey silty-clay alternating with compact lenses of redeposited chalk (Plate 6); the nature of the deposits, combined with a paucity of archaeological finds, is consistent with the view that these features were associated with the quarrying of chalk, but the lack of diagnostic artefacts means that it is impossible to date this activity. Immediately to the east of the central complex of intercutting features were two sub-circular pits (51 and 66). Pit (51), measuring 1.80m in diameter and 0.65m in depth, had vertical sides and a flat base and was filled by two contexts (52 and 72), whereas Pit (66), with vertical sides and an uneven base, measured 0.88m in diameter and 0.44m in depth and had two fills (67 and 82). Both pits produced significant assemblages of Anglo-Norman pottery (11th-12th centuries) and animal bone (see Section 5.2). One further sub-circular pit, (15), was recorded at the eastern extremity of the trench (Plate 7). Measuring 1.0m in diameter and with vertical sides, this feature was excavated to a depth of 1.65m but the original depth could not be determined due to health and safety restrictions. Five fills (16, 23, 24, 25 and 34) were identified, all subtle variations on a fine silty-clay matrix with few inclusions; finds were sparse although diagnostic pottery indicated a Mid Saxon date (Figure 4). Environmental sampling confirmed that the fills contained a constituent of human cess consistent with the pit s use as a latrine. A single posthole, (32), was found 3m to the west of pit (15). Although this was undated, there is a high probability (on the basis of previous excavations in Lyminge) that it relates to a timber building of broadly the same phase as adjacent pit (15). Trench 4 (Figure 3) Aligned on a north-east/south-west axis, this trench was 32.50m long and ranged in depth from 0.20m to 0.50m at the north-east and the south-west ends respectively. There was a distinct break in the stratigraphy of the trench towards its south-west end where a spread of 9

10 building rubble (92) formed a distinct layer overlying chalk bedrock; the character of the deposits to the north-east mimicked the northern end of Trench 2. Two slots were excavated through the deposit of late medieval tile and flint rubble comprising layer (92): that to the south-west revealed three pits dated to the Anglo-Norman period (89, 93 and 96), the latter two of which intercut, whereas that to the north-east revealed pit (87) characterised by cess fills capped by a layer of quern stones. More ephemeral features were also recorded in this trench, but these lacked dating evidence and could be of fairly recent derivation. 4.2 Central sector Trench 5 Aligned north-south, this trench measured 13.00m long and ranged in depth from 0.10m to 0.35m at the southern and northern end respectively; it was positioned over a terrace which produced a series of high-intensity geophysical anomolies. The stratigraphy comprised topsoil overlaying a demolition layer (144) containing large quantities of late medieval brick, tile and iron nails (Plate 9). This layer was removed by machine to reveal natural chalk bedrock cut by a series of features: pit (129) at the southern end of the trench which was filled by two modern fills (130 and 131); at the opposite end of the trench were four intercutting pits (136, 137, 138 and 139) which produced domestic assemblages (pottery and animal bone) dating to the Anglo-Norman period (Plate 10). Trench 6 This trench, aligned north-south, was 14.00m long and ranged in depth from 0.30m at the southern end to 0.45m at the north. It was positioned across the same terrace as Trench 5 and produced a similar stratigraphic sequence, including a continuation of the demolition layer (128). This layer was similarly removed by machine to reveal a cluster of four postholes (124, 126, 132 and 144) indicating the presence of an undated timber building. Trench 7 Aligned north-south, this 32m-long trench was opened up adjacent to the western boundary of the churchyard to test for the presence of Mid Saxon boundaries (Plate 11). Apart from a centrally-located concentration of modern flint rubble, no archaeological features were recorded in this trench. 4.3 Southern sector Trench 8 This trench was aligned north-south and measured 21.30m in length and 0.35m in depth. The stratigraphy comprised topsoil over a mid brownish-grey silty-clay subsoil which thinned to the south (Plate 12). The main features comprised two parallel east-west ditches, both of which represented continuations of boundaries excavated in Only the smaller of the two ditches, (145), was excavated, in the process revealing an earlier sub-circular pit (147) measuring 1.50m in diameter (Plate 13). A more indistinct linear feature, (149), lay at the southern end of the trench, but this was of recent derivation as indicated by finds of modern roof tile. It is worth noting that the Mid Saxon boundary ditch excavated during the 2009 excavation was not present in this trench. 10

11 Trench 9 Aligned north-south, this trench measured 15.00m in length and 0.35m in depth. The stratigraphy comprised topsoil over a mid brownish-grey silty-clay subsoil (Plate 14). Two sub-rectangular pits were identified. Pit (153) had steep sides with a flat base and measured 0.70m wide, 1.05m in length and 0.2m deep; it had a single fill (154) which produced the articulated remains of a sheep. Pit (151), with vertical sides and a flat base, was more substantial, measuring 1.40m wide 0.95m in depth (Plate 15). It was filled with a series of compacted layers containing redeposited chalk and dense concentrations of quern stone. These sealed a primary layer of burnt material (156) characterised by frequent charcoal inclusions and burnt animal bone (Figure 4). Although these pits failed to produce datable artefacts, their character and location suggests that they form an integral part of the Mid Saxon monastic occupation excavated by the University of Reading in 2008 and

12 5.1 Pottery Ben Jervis, University of Southampton 5. Finds and environmental evidence Introduction An assemblage of 314 sherds of pottery and 2 fragments of fired clay of Iron Age to postmedieval date were submitted for assessment. The pottery came from three trial trenches. The pottery has been examined in accordance with the minimum standards produced by the Medieval Pottery Research Group (MPRG 2001), although as much of the assemblage was fragmented, vessel form was not recorded. In accordance with these standards the pottery has been recorded by ware type using the Kent type series, compiled by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (Cotter 2006). Two methods of quantification were used (sherd count (sc), sherd weight (sw)). For the purposes of the assessment decoration was not recorded. Notes were made on the presence of decoration and other notable features. The pottery The wares present are all common in excavations in East Kent, for example in Canterbury (Macpherson-Grant 1995, Cotter 2001) and Dover (Cotter 2006). The bulk of the material is of 11th-13th-century date, although there are 30 sherds of Mid Saxon pottery, similar to the material excavated during the 2009 field season and at Sandtun (Gardiner et al 2001) (table 1). The types present are characterised below: Ware SC SW Iron Age? 3 30 Roman? 3 26 Saxon Shelly LS EM EM EM29/33/ Flint tempered 5 49 M1 (Tyler Hill) 8 40 M10/LM4 Wealden Pink-Buff Sandy Ware 1 7 Post Medieval Redware 2 76 CBM? 2 3 Crucible? 2 5 Total Table 1: Quantification of Pottery by Ware Iron Age Pottery: There are 3 sherds of probable Iron Age date. These are characterised by the presence of large burnt flint inclusions. Roman Pottery: Three sherds of Roman date are present. These include a particularly abraded sherd of a buff sandy ware which was possibly colour coated, an abraded rim fragment in a similar sandy ware and a sherd of Grog Tempered Ware. Shell Tempered Wares: Twenty three sherds of a reduced shelly ware were present, which is similar to material recovered from excavations at Sandtun (Gardiner et 2001, 209) and from 12

13 excavations at Lyminge carried out in The shell inclusions are noticeably coarser and more profuse than in the later fabric EM3. The fabric is soft and breaks with a laminated fracture. An 8th-9th-century date can be suggested on the basis of parallels from Canterbury and Sandtun (Gardiner et al 2001, 204). LS1 (Late Saxon Canterbury Sandy Ware): A reduced sandy ware characterised by abundant inclusions of evenly sized quartz sand (Macpherson-Grant 1995, 824). Seven sherds are present here. Similar mid-late Saxon sandy wares are known from the 2009 excavations at Lyminge and from Sandtun (Gardiner et al 2001, 208-9). EM1 (Canterbury Sandy Ware): This is the most abundant fabric in the assemblage and is the most commonly occurring ware at sites in east Kent. It is a sandy, low fired fabric, with common-abundant quartz inclusions, which ranges in colour from orange/brown to grey. Reduced sherds are likely to be earlier than oxidised ones (with oxidation being common from c1150) (Cotter 2006, 134), but both types are present in this assemblage. A date range of c has been suggested for this ware (Cotter 2006, 140). One sherd exhibits rouletted decoration and maybe a sub-type known as Brittoncourt Farm-type (EM1.BCR). EM3 (Early Medieval Shelly Sandy Ware): An oxidised sandy ware with moderately abundant, ill sorted shell inclusions. It has a similar date range to fabric EM1 (c ) (Cotter 2006, 153). EM29/33/34 (Sandy Wares with Flint and Shell Temper): For the purpose of this assessment these related fabrics have not been separated. Sherds are typically brown-grey in colour with coarse inclusions of red flint and sparse-common shell fragments, or voids. This type was produced in the Weald/Romney Marsh area and date from c (Cotter 2006, 164). Flint Tempered Wares: There are 5 sherds of Flint Tempered Ware, probably fitting into fabric group EM46 (flint and quartz temper). These wares are largely a coastal phenomenon, being particularly common locally in the Romney Marsh area. The sparse flint inclusions and the relatively consistent, oxidised firing of these sherds suggests that they belong to the later part of this tradition, probably being of late 12th-13th-century date (Cotter 2006, 157). M1 (Tyler Hill Ware/Medieval Canterbury Sandy Ware): A coarse sandy fabric which is very similar to fabric EM1, but is harder fired and denser. The fabric is known to have been produced at the Tyler Hill kilns, north of Canterbury, and is estimated to date from c M10/LM4 (Wealden Pink-Buff Sandy Ware): A single sherd of a pinkish-buff sandy ware is present with an exterior dark green glaze. The fabric matches descriptions of fabric M10, dated from c (Cotter 2001, 235). Its coarse nature may indicate that it belongs to the latter part of this tradition ( ). PM1 (Local Red Earthenware): Two sherds are present of a red, sandy, earthenware fabric with an interior glaze. A 17th-18th-century date for this ware is suggested in Canterbury (Macpherson-Grant 1995, 919). CBM: Two small, abraded fragments of CBM, likely to be of Roman date, are present. Crucible? Fragments: Two small sherds are present with a glassy residue on the interior, suggestive of them being from crucibles. 13

14 Pottery by Context Three trial trenches were excavated, the pottery will be broken down by context, before being discussed by trench. Trench 1 (Table 2) Context 1 Contained 36 sherds ranging in date from the Iron Age to the Post Medieval period. Early medieval types EM1 and EM3 are the most common. There is also evidence of later medieval occupation in the area, in the form of 6 sherds of Tyler-Hill Ware and a sherd of Wealden Pink-Buff Ware. A sherd of fabric PM1 offers a terminus post quem for the deposit of the 18th century. Context 18 Contained 24 sherds, all of medieval or post medieval date. As with context 1 the majority of the pottery is of early medieval date, with fabrics EM1 and EM3 being most common. There are 2 sherds of Tyler Hill Ware and a single large sherd of fabric PM1. Context 20 Contained 6 sherds. These include 2 sherds of Saxon Shelly Ware and 2 sherds of fabric LS1. There is also a single small sherd of EM3 which may be intrusive, and a sherd of Roman pottery, likely to be residual. A late Saxon date (9th-11 th century) can be suggested for the context. Context 21 Contained 7 sherds of Saxon Shelly Ware and a sherd of Fabric EM1. Context 28 A single sherd of Roman pottery is likely to be residual. There are 5 sherds of Saxon Shelly Ware and 3 of LS1. Two crucible fragments are suggestive of metal working in this area. A Mid Saxon date (8th-9th century) can be suggested for this context. Context 31 Contained 5 sherds of Saxon Shelly Ware, dating to the 8th-9th centuries. 14

15 Context: Total Fabric SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW Iron Age? Roman? Saxon Shelly LS EM EM Flint tempered M1 (Tyler Hill) M10? Wealden Pink-Buff Sandy Ware PM Total Table 2: The Pottery from Trench 1. Conclusions Contexts 20, 21 and 31 provide a tightly-dated group of Mid Saxon ceramics indicating an 8th-9th-century date for pit (3) and associated ironworking activity. The wide range of ceramics from contexts 1 and 18 should be interpreted as background noise from adjacent areas of activity spanning the medieval and post-medieval periods, with a small component of residual Iron Age and Roman material. Trench 2 (Table 3) Context 2 Contained 9 sherds of fabric EM1, suggesting an 11th-12th-century date for the deposit. Context 14 Contained 1 sherd of fabric EM1, suggesting an 11th-12th-century date for the deposit. Context 43 Contained 6 sherds, mostly of early medieval date. These include 2 sherds of Late Saxon Sandy Ware fabric LS1 and single sherds of fabrics EM1 and of Flint Tempered Ware. Two sherds of Iron Age pottery are likely to be residual. Context: Total Fabric SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW Iron Age? LS EM Flint tempered Total Table 3: The Pottery from Trench 2 15

16 Conclusions The pottery from Trench 2 is tightly dated to the Anglo-Norman period, with some evidence of possible 10th-century activity. Although a small group it is important as it suggests continued occupation into the post-conquest period. Trench 3 (Table 4) Context Total Fabric SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW SC SW EM EM EM Flint tempered CBM? Crucible? 2 5 Total Table 4: The Pottery from Trench 3 Context 37 Contained 91 sherds of early medieval pottery and 2 small fragments of CBM. There are 61 sherds of EM1, 19 of EM29/33/34 and 10 of EM3. A single sherd of Flint Tempered Ware was also present. A date of c can be suggested on the basis of the co-occurrence of these wares, with the deposit having a terminus post quem of AD1300. Context 39 Contained 15 sherds of early medieval date, consisting of EM1, EM3 and EM29/33/34. A date of c can be suggested on the basis of the co-occurrence of these wares, with the deposit having a terminus post quem of AD1300. Context 41 Contained 3 sherds of EM1 and 2 of EM3. These are suggestive of an 11th-13th-century date for the deposit. Context 49 Contained 4 sherds of Late Saxon Shell Tempered Ware and a sherd of fabric EM1. The cooccurrence of these 2 wares is suggestive of a 10th-11th-century date for the deposit. One sherd, with an white residue on the exterior, cross-fits with a sherd from context 21, indicating that they are contemporary. Context 52 Contained 89 sherds, all of early medieval date. The most common type is EM1 (48 sherds), followed by EM29/33/34, EM3 and Flint Tempered Ware. A date of c can be suggested on the basis of the co-occurrence of these wares, with the deposit having a terminus post quem of AD

17 Context 72 Contained 3 sherds of EM1 and 2 of EM3. These are suggestive of an 11th-13th-century date for the deposit. Conclusions The pottery from the stratified features demonstrates dense occupation centring on the 12th- 13th centuries. General conclusions This is an important group of pottery providing a continuous ceramic sequence spanning the Mid Saxon period up until the 14th century and beyond. Trench 1 appears to mark an area of Mid Saxon activity connected with ironworking, whilst the ceramics from Trenches 2 and 3 demonstrate dense domestic occupation centring on the late Saxon and Anglo-Norman periods. It is recommended that the sherds assessed here are analysed to publication level (including analysis of form and decoration), along with the assemblages from the open area excavations, as this is the longest ceramic sequence known from a rural context in Kent. 17

18 5.2. Animal bone Aleks Pluskowski, University of Reading Introduction 758 fragments of animal bone and over 100 fish bone fragments from 22 features were submitted for evaluation in November The assemblage, recovered from a series of trial trenches is moderately preserved and represents waste from carcass processing, food preparation and industrial activity. The overall level of fragmentation is quite high, with around 20% of the material identifiable to species. This includes 46 loose teeth (from four identifiable species) recovered from across the context/feature range. Unidentifiable fragments were classified into large- and medium-sized mammals where appropriate, with only one example of a long bone fragment from an unidentifiable small mammal, whilst the majority were quickly counted for the purposes of a basic evaluation. The aim of the evaluation was to ascertain the potential of the material for future analysis and to briefly characterise and compare the Mid Saxon with the Anglo-Norman assemblage. Whilst the sample sizes are small (the highest number from a single feature was 75 fragments), some comparative aspects can be tentatively observed between these two broad cultural phases. The results are summarised as NISP counts (number of identifiable specimens present) in the tables below, categorised according to features and cultural phases. The Mid Saxon assemblage Feature inventory: [3](4); [3] (17); [3] (20); [3](49);[3] (50); [3] (21); (11)/(12); [15](16); [15](25); ;(19). 201 bone fragments from the Mid Saxon phase derived from five features (table 1). Species / Mid Anglo-Saxon (NISP) Feature Pit / Ʃ NISP Cow Pig Sheep/Goat Cat Roe deer 1 1 Chicken/Domestic fowl 3 3 Unidentified mammal Unidentified bird 3 3 Totals Table 1: List of species sub-divided according to features (or context where no feature had been recorded) and cultural phases; size categories for mammals have been merged and are noted in the comments below where relevant. This small assemblage is virtually dominated by domestic livestock, with the three major groups cattle, pigs and sheep/goat represented more or less equally. There is one example of a wild mammal; a fragment of roe deer mandible, and 14 fragments of cat bone (fragments of a humerus, mandible, metapodial and vertebrae), probably deriving from a single individual. Bird bones were very infrequent and fish bones were absent. All three domesticates were represented by a range of cranial and limb bone fragments, suggesting the carcasses had been processed on site. The highly fragmented unidentified bones were derived from medium and large-sized mammals, corresponding most to cattle and sheep/goat in terms

19 of proportions. Epiphyseal fusion was noted (in the entire assemblage only 19 examples could be recorded) and toothwear was not systematically recorded, but it is clear that in the limited number of fragments both juvenile and adult animals were present. No neonatal or senile individuals were evident with the exception of a porous bird bone that may have come from a young chicken. Of the 14 fragments of sheep/goat bone, eight were pieces of horn core, of which seven had been butchered (typically sawn) to separate the upper part (in one case tip) of the horn. Three fragments of cattle horn core were also identified. The cat mandible also displayed a series of very fine cut marks along its body (i.e. base) that suggest skinning. The exploitation of cats for fur is known in proto-urban and urban sites in many regions of early-late medieval Europe, but has been particularly noted in Scandinavian settlements. For example, cats have been found in large numbers in Odense (69 individuals) and Hedeby (129 individuals), leading to suggestions they may have been kept in settlements for their fur (Hatting 1992; Johansson and Hüster 1987), although in Ribe only faint cut marks have been found on the few individuals recovered (Hatting 1991:52), whilst in Birka there is no evidence of cat skinning despite the presence of whole and partial cat remains (Wigh 2001:140). The presence of cat may suggest a level of intensity in human activity, whilst evidence of gnawing was visible on three bone fragments within this assemblage, including part of a pig humerus which appears to have been chewed by rodents. The Anglo-Norman assemblage Feature inventory: [36](37) ; [40](47) ;[40] (48); [40](41); [42](43); [51](52); [53] (57); (54); (56); [66](67); [64] (116); (65); [68](69); [70](71); [70] 109); [70](84); [85](86); (92) ;[136](140);[151](152); [153] (154) The bone fragments from the Anglo-Norman phase derived from 17 features and numbered 557 (+ over 100 fish bones) in total (table 2). This assemblage appears to have been far more heavily fragmented than (1), although this may also reflect its larger size in terms of relative fragment counts. Species / Anglo-Norman (NISP) Feature Ʃ Cow Pig Sheep/G Horse 1 1 Dog Chicken Duck 1 1 Fox 1 1 Un. Bird Un. Fish Un. Mam Totals Table 2: List of species sub-divided according to features (or context where no feature had been recorded) and cultural phases; size categories for mammals have been merged and are noted in the comments below where relevant. The totals exclude fish remains. The Anglo-Norman assemblage is larger and more diverse than the Mid Saxon material. All three major domesticates are represented, but pig and sheep appear less frequently than cattle, 19

20 which is noticeably present throughout the assemblage, especially in terms of unidentified fragments that could be categorised as belonging to large mammals. However, it should be noted the relative size of these groups is still very small and difficult to meaningfully compare. Moreover 34 fragments were loose teeth, not only indicating the high level of fragmentation in the assemblage but also making comparisons by NISP less meaningful. The assemblage continues to be dominated by domestic species, although there is a significant quantity of fish remains (over 100 fragments) which have not been included in the final count. Interestingly the number of bird bone fragments remains very small (the only identifiable bones were domestic fowl and a small duck radius), and this is unlikely to be a product of poor recovery of material given the size and delicate nature of some of the fish bones. The representation of anatomical elements indicates again that animal carcasses were processed on site, with a range of vertebral, skull and long bone fragments from unidentifiable large mammals, probably cattle. As with the previous assemblage, there was very little ageing information, although both juvenile and adult animals were noted. A single, poorly preserved proximal fragment of a horse metacarpal, which appears to have been gnawed, and the presence of dog in the assemblage distinguishes it from the earlier material. The canid bones from [64] appear to have come from a single animal, represented by a complete radius, metapodials and mandible fragments and are comparable in size and proportion to an alsation in the Reading reference collection. No measurements were taken at this stage. There were no clear butchery marks in this assemblage, but some elements such as ribs had been cut to a standardised size. This was confirmed with quick measurements identifying sets of three length ranges: c. 2cms, c. 4cms and c. 9cms. A cow horn core from [70] was attached to part of the parietal bone. Summary of observations On the basis of this broad evaluation, it is difficult to suggest characteristic differences reflecting any shifts in animal exploitation between the Mid Saxon and Norman periods. The more noticeable presence of cattle and the absence of goat horn cores in the Saxo-Norman assemblage could be a product of the relative quantities of fragments, but could equally hint at a shift in husbandry practices. The absence of dog bones in the Mid Saxon assemblage does not mean there were no dogs present there is evidence of canid gnawing. The range of the Anglo-Norman phase encompasses a time when social trends in, for example, hunting become increasingly distinctive (see Sykes 2007) and the roe deer fragment may be tentatively situated within this context. The two assemblages are not comparable in quantitative terms, but there are some notable aspects which could be investigated further, specifically: The presence of butchered caprid horn cores in Mid Saxon features and their virtual absence in the later assemblage. There is some evidence of standardised butchery on ribs, but this is relatively limited and the majority of these fragments derive from unidentifiable medium-sized mammals. The significant quantity of fragmented bones could be studied further with the aim of shedding more light on butchery practices and the process of fragmentation. The virtual absence of wild species in both cases is interesting; the limited evidence for roe deer hunting corresponds with known Mid Saxon practices, whilst the 20

21 presence of fox can be tentatively linked to fur exploitation (although no cut marks were visible). The presence of over 100 fish bones, deriving from five features, of varying size and representing both vertebral and cranial elements in the Saxo-Norman phase is interesting and should be investigated further by a specialist. Future excavations should involve careful sieving of targeted contexts to maximise the recovery of fish bones. The assemblage has limited potential for ecological proxies, largely because microfauna and birds are absent, although the fish may point to the exploitation of varying aquatic/wetland environments. Roe deer prefer woodland, and there would need to be suitable pasture to sustain livestock herds in both the Mid Saxon and Saxo- Norman periods. Foxes are highly adaptive species found in contrasting environments and are not particularly useful as ecological proxies. In conclusion, the relative size and fragmentation of the two assemblages makes identifying any differences between them very difficult. Instead, this quick evaluation provides some ideas for a working hypothesis that can be tested in the future with integrated zooarchaeological and palaoebotanical studies encompassing the full chronological range of occupation at the site. If more faunal material is recovered in future excavations, it would be useful to re-analyse this assemblage (or select parts) in more detail. One of the key questions that can potentially be explored in the future is the impact of the Norman Conquest on trends in animal exploitation at this site. Are there changes in animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, food culture, waste disposal and the management of the local environment? This would be closely aligned with the character (or status ) of the site on either side of the Conquest, following Sykes (2007) model. The problematic definition of the site s character may provide an interesting and useful critique of this model. At present, the Anglo-Norman phase itself is too broad to discern changes in the later decades of the 11 th century, but in future excavations it may be possible to date features and contexts at a higher resolution. 21

22 5.3 Iron slag Lynne Keys Introduction and methodology For this report, a small quantity (almost 5.3kgs) from two contexts ([4] and [20]) - but not all the slag from these contexts) was examined. It is not known what percentage of the entire slag assemblage from the site this represents. All the slag discussed below had been retrieved by hand on site; no material from soil samples was presented for examination. The assemblage was examined by eye and categorised on the basis of morphology alone. Each slag type in each context was weighed; smithing hearth bottoms were individually weighed and measured to obtain statistical information. Quantification data are given in the table below in which weight (wt.) is shown in grams; length (len.), breadth (br.) and depth (dp.) in millimetres. Quantification table for the iron slag and related debris [F] cxt Tr slag type wt len dp br comment pcs cinder cinder 16 fused with fuel ash slag & burnt flint cinder 9 glassy cinder & burnt flint fired clay hammerscale 4 a little very broken flake & three spheres iron iron-rich undiagnostic 76 very magnetic: mostly iron? iron-rich undiagnostic 69 very magnetic; could be smelting slag iron-rich undiagnostic iron-rich undiagnostic 12 microslag runs & dribbles smithing hearth bottom fragment smithing hearth bottom fragment smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom tiny example smithing hearth bottom smithing hearth bottom smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom incomplete smithing hearth bottom stone 4 ** ore? To be examined by geologist undiagnostic 171 many voids undiagnostic possible smithing slag undiagnostic 30 with run surface undiagnostic undiagnostic undiagnostic undiagnostic 122 very tiny fragments lots vitrified hearth lining 35 small, broken pieces lots vitrified hearth lining 2 finely finished surface - mortar? cinder coprolite hammerscale 0 none in soil 3 20 iron iron-rich undiagnostic smithing hearth bottom very tiny example 3 20 stone stone 42 ** ore? To be examined by geologist 3 22

23 3 20 undiagnostic 28 with iron pieces incorporated undiagnostic 394 lots 3 20 undiagnostic 126 cindery and also small cindery runs lots 3 20 vitrified hearth lining 119 small, broken pieces lots 3 20 vitrified hearth lining 20 reduced fired - white ash colour 1 total wt. = 5.277kg Explanation of processes and terms: Activities involving iron can take two forms: 1) Smelting: The manufacture of iron from ore and fuel in a smelting furnace. The products are a spongy mass called an unconsolidated bloom (iron with a considerable amount of slag still trapped inside), and slag (waste). The slags produced vary depending on the technology used: furnace slags (including slag blocks and furnace bottoms), run slag, tap slag, dense slag or blast furnace slag. 2a) Primary smithing: This took place in periods before the late post-medieval development of casting iron. It involved the hot working (by a smith using a hammer) of the iron lump on a stringhearth (usually near the smelting furnace) to remove excess slag. The slags from this process include smithing hearth bottoms and micro-slags, in particular tiny smithing spheres. 2b) Secondary smithing: This involves the hot working (using a hammer) of one or more pieces of iron to create an object, or to repair an object. As well as bulk slags, including the smithing hearth bottom (a plano-convex slag cake which builds up in the hearth base), smithing generates micro-slags. These can be hammerscale flakes from ordinary hot working of a piece of iron (making or repairing an object) and/or tiny spheres from high temperature welding used to join or fuse two pieces of iron. Other finds which provide support for smithing are iron objects in the form of unfinished objects, waste pieces and/or iron objects with hammerscale from the smithing still adhering to their surfaces. Discussion of the assemblage No diagnostic smelting slags were present, the diagnostic slags being those of smithing, probably secondary smithing. Thirteen complete or fragmentary smithing hearth bottoms were present in the material from context (4); another, albeit very small example, was found in pit [3] (20). Some hammerscale of both types and other micro-slags were present in (4) but none in (20). Context (4) is described as being either a layer above pit [3] which had slumped into the pit or is material from the top fill of the pit that has been dragged out and across the land surface by ploughing. It contains more slag (a total of 4.412kg) than does fill (20) (totalling only 865g) within the pit. This may suggest [4] is indeed a layer or feature cross the top of the pit or that it is the final fill of [3], which overflowed the cut at the time it was deposited and was later dragged out by ploughing or other activity. There is the possibility that [4] may be a deliberately laid surface metalling for a road or path, for example. Such use of slag as road or lane metalling is attested on other Mid Saxon sites, particularly those in Lundenwic (the Covent Garden area of London) where it is now well documented (Malcolm et al. 2003; Leary et al. 2004; Haslam in prep.). There is no reason why the monastic site or a related settlement at Lyminge may not have recycled large quantities of slag from smithing in a similar way. 23

24 Significance of assemblage The assemblage is significant because it hints at intensive iron smithing in the Mid Saxon period. That no evidence for smelting was recovered this year doesn t mean it wasn t taking place: the furnaces and smelting waste may lie elsewhere; some possible tap slag has been seen in material from a different part of the site (Gabor Thomas pers comm). If the monastic complex at Lyminge was undertaking intensive production of iron it may well have been a real ironworks, carrying out all processes from smelting to the production of finished objects. This evaluation of the slag assemblage suggests that it may be of national significance, particularly in relation to industrial activity in Mid Saxon monasteries. Recommendations for further work A full assessment of the current slag assemblage should be undertaken before further work is carried out on the site. Further excavation around the area of pit [3] would be valuable in determining whether the slag assemblage formed part of a metalled surface or is a disturbed pit deposit. 24

25 5.4 Environmental remains Wendy Charlton, University of Nottingham Methodology Whole-earth bulk soil samples were taken from 6 selected contexts for environmental analysis. Samples were then floated using a standard drum-type flotation tank. Heavy fraction (residue) was retained in a 1mm nylon mesh, with the light fraction (flot) collected into sieves of 0.25mm and 600µm aperture. The residue was sorted by hand using a 2x magnification hand lens and checked with a magnet to verify if any hammer-scale or other small magnetic objects were present. The flot was sorted using a microscope of 10x-20x magnification, with sorted flot studied using a microscope of >500 magnification. Identification was undertaken using references which are listed at the end of this report. Results Environmental Sample Data <1> Trench 1, pit (3), context 20 Moderately compact dark brown clay/silt with charcoal, slag and daub inclusions Finds included; pottery, bone, metal, BM, Fe objects Finds extracted from flotation; iron blade, pot sherd, Fe object (nail) Heavy Fraction (Residue) Burnt/magnetic Miscellaneous Animal Bones - fragmentary Light Fraction (Flot) Animal bone 2 fragments <3 mm (unidentifiable) Fish bone 1 fragment of scale bone Molluscs Charcoal 3.4 g Seeds Gallium x2 Summary The contents of this pit indicate an association with ironworking (slag, charcoal) combined with domestic activities (food waste reflected in animal and fish bone). The condition of the plant seeds and some burnt bone shows high temperatures were reached. Environmental Sample Data <2> Trench 1, pit (29), context 45 Friable black charcoal-rich gravely silt with occasional chalk inclusions. It had a pungent organic smell. Heavy Fraction (Residue) Light Fraction (Flot) CBM - Charcoal 54 g Magnetic 8.2 g Landsnails 0.1g Charcoal Summary The main point to note about this context is the high concentration of magnetic hammerscale confirming an association with smithing activity. Environmental Sample Data <3> Trench 3, Pit (15), context (34) A moderately compacted mid-brown/grey silty-clay with frequent chalk inclusions up to 20mm in size and some charcoal inclusions. 25

26 Heavy Fraction (Residue) Fish Bone 4 vertebrae Seeds - Gallium x1 Slag x4 Animal Bone g of small mammal fragments (unidentifiable) all unburnt 7 fragments Light Fraction (Flot) Coleoptera (Beetle) Exoskeleton scelerites, pronotum and elytra Fish Bone 3 unidentifiable fragments Charcoal - 1.5g (<2mm-20mm) Seeds Naked Wheat (Triticum aestivum) x 1 Emmer Wheat (Triticum dicoccum) x1 Gallium x2 Charcoal 1 fragment Mineralised: Fruit seed - pear (?) Landsnail shells 4 fragments of catholic snails Summary The charcoal appears to be from the hard-wood species, only one species seems visible. Cereal grains are in such low quantities that further investigation would be advised in order to eliminate accidental deposition. This presence of fish bone and charred cereal grain indicates that some domestic refuse entered the environment of the pit, while the presence of a mineralised fruit seed also suggests that human cess was deposited. Environmental Sample Data <4> Trench 3, pit (70), context 110 Loose red/brown silty sand with occasional pottery finds Heavy Fraction (Residue) due to quantity of small fish and mammal bones only 25% of sample examined Fish bones 6.8g Animal bones 13 g Seeds heavily carbonised cereal grain (Triticum sp.) Light Fraction (Flot) Charcoal - > 7 g Seeds - Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) Fish bones 4 x vertebrae, 1 rib Summary The abundance of bones of small mammals and fish (some charred) together with charcoal, provides clear evidence for the discard of domestic refuse. 26

27 Environmental Sample Data <5> Trench 4, pit 93, context 94 Loose mid-red/brown silty sand with occasional charcoal inclusions. Heavy Fraction (Residue) Light Fraction (Flot) Daub majority of sample Animal bone burnt (white) ovis astragalus x1 Charcoal Charcoal made up most of this sample ranging from <2mm to >20mm Seeds Inclusions of landsnail shell (<10%) Shell Inclusions of CBM (<10%) very fragmentary <2mm in size Animal bone - burnt animal bone, charred bone and unburnt bone, all fragmentary and unidentifiable Summary The context has an obvious domestic character reflected in dense concentrations of building material in the form of daub, combined with frequent charcoal and animal bone discarded as refuse. Environmental Sample Data <6> Trench 9, pit (151), context 156 A charcoal-rich primary fill with occasional chalk and clay inclusions. Heavy Fraction (Residue) Shell Fish bone - Animal Bone very fragmentary Charcoal Light Fraction (Flot) Charcoal size range (<2mm->20mm) Landsnails Summary The charcoal appears to derive from the same tree genus (although further examination will be required to confirm this suspicion) and is probably derived from a single burning event. General conclusions This provisional analysis of selected contexts has shown that the preservation and survival of ecofacts was excellent, inclusive of both plant and animal remains. The commonest preservation pathway associated with the sampled pit deposits was charring, although Sample <3> context 34 (pit 15) also demonstrated the preservation of fruit seeds through mineralisation, indicating the deposition of human cess. The results help to distinguish the character of the archaeological activity represented on the site. Samples <1> and <2> indicate that iron smithing took place in the vicinity of Trench 1, whilst domestic occupation of different periods is attested in the vicinity of Trench 3. Overall, the current study has confirmed that the environmental remains preserved at Lyminge have a high potential to answer key research questions on the changing character of the site over the Mid Saxon and Medieval periods. 27

28 6. General conclusions and recommendations The results of the evaluation indicate that the site preserves a rich diversity of archaeological remains holding crucial insights into the historical development of Lyminge over the past 1,200 years. Of greatest significance and sensitivity are a series of features attributable to Mid Saxon period (7th-9th centuries AD), forming part of an Anglo-Saxon monastic settlement under investigation by the University of Reading since The new evidence includes the site of one or more smithies located in the northern sector of the site represented by pits of distinct forms preserved in association with rich deposits of metalworking slag and recycled fragments of iron. This complex constitutes important evidence for industrial zoning within the Mid Saxon monastic settlement of Lyminge and, more generally, has the potential to transform an understanding of the character and technology of ironworking in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Kent. The discovery of Mid Saxon rubbish and cess pits within the northern and southern sectors of the site also indicates that monastic occupation (highly likely in association with post-built timber buildings) also extends to the west and north-west of the churchyard. Two phases of medieval archaeology were also brought to light by the evaluation; these can best be interpreted with reference to the foundation and development of an estate complex under the control of the archbishops of Canterbury who acquired Lyminge shortly before the Norman Conquest. The first is represented by a dense concentration of Anglo-Norman (10th- 12th-century) occupation and pits encountered in the northern sector of the site (Trenches 2, 3 and 4) and the second by the demolished remains of a late medieval (15th-century and later) structures located in Trench 4 of the northern sector and Trenches 5 and 6 of the central sector. Overall, the results indicate that the evaluated area preserves multiple sites of early medieval and medieval occupation of high archaeological sensitivity. The extensive Mid Saxon monastic settlement - of which the evaluation has brought to light key new evidence - is of international significance, on account of the extreme rarity of such settlements and of Anglo- Saxon sites more generally. The earlier Anglo-Norman phase of the archaeopiscopal estate complex is also of a sufficient rarity to be considered of national importance; the later medieval phases are of regional to local importance. It is recommended that any commercial development requiring planning consent and likely to result in significant ground disturbance, should be preceded by full-scale archaeological intervention; this recommendation applies especially to the northern sector of the site where Mid Saxon and Anglo-Norman archaeology is preserved in association. 28

29 Bibliography Cotter, J. 2001, The Pottery in M. Hicks and A. Hicks, St. Gregory s Priory, Northgate, Canterbury, The Archaeology of Canterbury New Series Volume 2, Cotter, J. 2006, The Pottery in K. Parfitt, B. Corke and J. Cotter, Townwall Street Dover. Excavations 1996, The Archaeology of Canterbury New Series Volume 3, Du Boulay, F. R. H The Lordship of Canterbury: An Essay on Medieval Society, Nelson. Gardiner, M, Cross, R, Macpherson-Grant, N and Riddler, I. 2001, Continental Trade and Non-urban Ports in Middle Saxon England: Excavations at Sandtun, West Hythe, Kent, Archaeological Journa,l 158, Haslam, A, in prep. 27 James Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2, London Archaeologist Hatting, R The archaeozoology, in Bencard, M. (ed.) Ribe Excavations , Volume 3, Text, Esbjerg, Sydjysk Universitetsforlag, Hatting, T Cats from Viking Age Odense [Fyn], Journal of Danish Archaeology, 9, Jacomet, S Identification of Cereal remains from archaeological sites (2 nd edition). IPAS, Basel University Jenkins, R C, The Basilica of Lyminge: Roman, Saxon and Medieval, Archaeologia Cantiana, 9, Jenkins, R C, Remarks on the Early Christian Bsilicas, in connection with recent discoveries at Lyminge, Archaeologia Cantiana, 10, ci-ciii Jenkins, R C, Observations of the remains of the basilica of Lyminge, Archaeologia Cantiana, 18, Johansson, F. and Hüster, H Untersuchungen an Skelettresten von Katzen aus Haithabu, Berichte Haithabu, 24. Kelly, S, Lyminge minster and its early charters, in: S. Keynes & A. P. Smyth (eds), Anglo-Saxons; Studies Presented to Cyril Hart. Dublin: Four Courts Press Leary J et al Tatberht's Lundenwic: Archaeological Excavations in Middle Saxon London. Pre-Construct Archaeology Monograph 2. Malcolm G, Bowsher D & Cowie R, 2003 Middle Saxon London: excavations at the Royal Opera House MoLAS Monograph 15. Macpherson-Grant, N. 1995, Fabric Descriptions in K. Blockley, M. Blockley, P. Blockley, S. Frere and S. Stow (eds), Excavations in the Marlowe Car Park and Surrounding Areas, The Archaeology of Canterbury Volume 5,

30 MPRG. 2001, Minimum Standards for the Processing, Recording, Analysis and Publication of Post-Roman Ceramics, MPRG Occasional Paper 2. Schmidt, E Atlas of Animal Bones. British Museum Press Sykes, N The Norman Conquest: A Zooarchaeological Perspective. Oxford: Archaeopress. Tatton-Brown, T, The Churches of Canterbury Diocese in the 11th Century, in: J. Blair (ed.) Minsters and Parish churches: the local church in transition, , Oxford University Committee for Archaeology Monograph No. 17, Taylor, H. M, Lyminge churches, Archaeological Journal, 126, Taylor, H. M, & J, Anglo-Saxon Architecture, 3 Vols. Cambridge. Thomas, G Lyminge: an archaeological research agenda for the pre-viking minster and its associated settlement: Thomas, G Bringing a lost Anglo-Saxon monastery to life: excavations at Lyminge , Medieval Archaeology, 54, Warhurst, A, The Jutish Cemetery at Lyminge, Archaeologia Cantiana, 69, Wigh, B Animal Husbandry in the Viking Age Town of Birka and its Hinterland, Stockholm, Birka Studies. 30

31 Figure 1: Location plan showing results of geophysical survey in relation to the churchyard and areas previously excavated by the University of Reading University of Reading excavations

32 Figure 2: Trench location plan 32

33 Figure 3: Plans of trenches

34 Figure 4: Profile drawings across selected pits 34

35 Plate 1: Trenches being machined in northern sector Plate 2: Trench 2 cleaned Plate 3: Trench 1, pit (3) Plate 4: Trench 1, pits (3) and (29) Plate 5: Trench 3: Buried soil at west end of trench Plate 6: Trench 3: Section across central pit complex 35

36 Plate 7: Trench 3, pit (15) Plate 8: Trench 3, pit (70) Plate 9: Trench 5, general view showing demolition layer Plate 10: Trench 5, pits at northern end of trench Plate 11: Trench 7, general view looking north Plate 12: Trench 8, general view looking north 36

37 Plate 13: Trench 8, east-west ditch (147) Plate 14: Trench 9, general view looking north Plate 15: Trench 9, pit (151) 37

39, Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury (SUY 073) Planning Application No. B/04/02019/FUL Archaeological Monitoring Report No. 2005/112 OASIS ID no.

39, Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury (SUY 073) Planning Application No. B/04/02019/FUL Archaeological Monitoring Report No. 2005/112 OASIS ID no. 39, Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury (SUY 073) Planning Application No. B/04/02019/FUL Archaeological Monitoring Report No. 2005/112 OASIS ID no. 9273 Summary Sudbury, 39, Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury (TL/869412;

More information

Fieldwalking at Cottam 1994 (COT94F)

Fieldwalking at Cottam 1994 (COT94F) Fieldwalking at Cottam 1994 (COT94F) Tony Austin & Elizabeth Jelley (19 Jan 29) 1. Introduction During the winter of 1994 students from the Department of Archaeology at the University of York undertook

More information

2 Saxon Way, Old Windsor, Berkshire

2 Saxon Way, Old Windsor, Berkshire 2 Saxon Way, Old Windsor, Berkshire An Archaeological Watching Brief For Mrs J. McGillicuddy by Pamela Jenkins Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code SWO 05/67 August 2005 Summary Site name:

More information

Test-Pit 3: 31 Park Street (SK )

Test-Pit 3: 31 Park Street (SK ) -Pit 3: 31 Park Street (SK 40732 03178) -Pit 3 was excavated in a flower bed in the rear garden of 31 Park Street, on the northern side of the street and west of an alleyway leading to St Peter s Church,

More information

Greater London GREATER LONDON 3/606 (E ) TQ

Greater London GREATER LONDON 3/606 (E ) TQ GREATER LONDON City of London 3/606 (E.01.6024) TQ 30358150 1 PLOUGH PLACE, CITY OF LONDON An Archaeological Watching Brief at 1 Plough Place, City of London, London EC4 Butler, J London : Pre-Construct

More information

An archaeological evaluation at 16 Seaview Road, Brightlingsea, Essex February 2004

An archaeological evaluation at 16 Seaview Road, Brightlingsea, Essex February 2004 An archaeological evaluation at 16 Seaview Road, Brightlingsea, Essex February 2004 report prepared by Kate Orr on behalf of Highfield Homes NGR: TM 086 174 (c) CAT project ref.: 04/2b ECC HAMP group site

More information

New Composting Centre, Ashgrove Farm, Ardley, Oxfordshire

New Composting Centre, Ashgrove Farm, Ardley, Oxfordshire New Composting Centre, Ashgrove Farm, Ardley, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Watching Brief For Agrivert Limited by Andrew Weale Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code AFA 09/20 August 2009

More information

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING REPORT SCCAS REPORT No. 2009/324 Thorington Hall, Stoke by Nayland SBN 087 HER Information Date of Fieldwork: November 2009 - January 2010 Grid Reference: TM 0131 3546 Funding

More information

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AT BRIGHTON POLYTECHNIC, NORTH FIELD SITE, VARLEY HALLS, COLDEAN LANE, BRIGHTON. by Ian Greig MA AIFA.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AT BRIGHTON POLYTECHNIC, NORTH FIELD SITE, VARLEY HALLS, COLDEAN LANE, BRIGHTON. by Ian Greig MA AIFA. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AT BRIGHTON POLYTECHNIC, NORTH FIELD SITE, VARLEY HALLS, COLDEAN LANE, BRIGHTON by Ian Greig MA AIFA May 1992 South Eastern Archaeological Services Field Archaeology Unit White

More information

FURTHER MIDDLE SAXON EVIDENCE AT COOK STREET, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 567)

FURTHER MIDDLE SAXON EVIDENCE AT COOK STREET, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 567) Roc. Hampshire Field Club Archaeol. Soc 52,1997, 77-87 (Hampshire Studies 1997) FURTHER MIDDLE SAXON EVIDENCE AT COOK STREET, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 567) By M F GARNER andj VINCENT with a contribution byjacqueline

More information

Former Whitbread Training Centre Site, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent Interim Archaeological Report Phase 1 November 2009

Former Whitbread Training Centre Site, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent Interim Archaeological Report Phase 1 November 2009 Former Whitbread Training Centre Site, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent Interim Archaeological Report Phase 1 November 2009 SWAT. Archaeology Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company School Farm Oast,

More information

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd. A Fieldwalking Survey at Birch, Colchester for ARC Southern Ltd

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd. A Fieldwalking Survey at Birch, Colchester for ARC Southern Ltd Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd A Fieldwalking Survey at Birch, Colchester for ARC Southern Ltd November 1997 CONTENTS page Summary... 1 Background... 1 Methods... 1 Retrieval Policy... 2 Conditions...

More information

Grange Farm, Widmer End, Hughenden, Buckinghamshire

Grange Farm, Widmer End, Hughenden, Buckinghamshire Grange Farm, Widmer End, Hughenden, Buckinghamshire An Archaeological Evaluation for British Flora by Andy Taylor Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code GFH 05/63 July 2005 Summary Site name:

More information

Wantage County Primary School, Garston Lane, Wantage, Oxfordshire

Wantage County Primary School, Garston Lane, Wantage, Oxfordshire Wantage County Primary School, Garston Lane, Wantage, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Evaluation for Oxfordshire County Council by Erlend Hindmarch Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code GLW

More information

Church of St Peter and St Paul, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

Church of St Peter and St Paul, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire Church of St Peter and St Paul, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire An Archaeological Watching Brief for the Parish of Great Missenden by Andrew Taylor Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code

More information

An archaeological evaluation at the Lexden Wood Golf Club (Westhouse Farm), Lexden, Colchester, Essex

An archaeological evaluation at the Lexden Wood Golf Club (Westhouse Farm), Lexden, Colchester, Essex An archaeological evaluation at the Lexden Wood Golf Club (Westhouse Farm), Lexden, Colchester, Essex January 2000 Archive report on behalf of Lexden Wood Golf Club Colchester Archaeological Trust 12 Lexden

More information

An archaeological evaluation in the playground of Colchester Royal Grammar School, Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex

An archaeological evaluation in the playground of Colchester Royal Grammar School, Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex An archaeological evaluation in the playground of Colchester Royal Grammar School, Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex February 2002 on behalf of Roff Marsh Partnership CAT project code: 02/2c Colchester Museum

More information

Cambridge Archaeology Field Group. Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate, Cambridgeshire. Autumn 2014 to Spring Third interim report

Cambridge Archaeology Field Group. Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate, Cambridgeshire. Autumn 2014 to Spring Third interim report Cambridge Archaeology Field Group Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate, Cambridgeshire Autumn 2014 to Spring 2015 Third interim report Summary Field walking on the Childerley estate of Martin Jenkins

More information

An archaeological watching brief and recording at Brightlingsea Quarry, Moverons Lane, Brightlingsea, Essex October 2003

An archaeological watching brief and recording at Brightlingsea Quarry, Moverons Lane, Brightlingsea, Essex October 2003 An archaeological watching brief and recording at Brightlingsea Quarry, Moverons Lane, Brightlingsea, Essex commissioned by Mineral Services Ltd on behalf of Alresford Sand & Ballast Co Ltd report prepared

More information

ROMAN AND MEDIEVAL ACTIVITY IN THE UPPER WALBROOK VALLEY: EXCAVATIONS AT MOORGATE, CITY OF LONDON, EC2, 1997

ROMAN AND MEDIEVAL ACTIVITY IN THE UPPER WALBROOK VALLEY: EXCAVATIONS AT MOORGATE, CITY OF LONDON, EC2, 1997 ROMAN AND MEDIEVAL ACTIVITY IN THE UPPER WALBROOK VALLEY: EXCAVATIONS AT 12 18 MOORGATE, CITY OF LONDON, EC2, 1997 Graham Bruce, Dominic Perring, Tim Stevens and Melissa Melikian SUMMARY In January and

More information

Chapter 2: Archaeological Description

Chapter 2: Archaeological Description Chapter 2: Archaeological Description Phase 1 Late Neolithic, c 3000-2400 BC (Figs 6-9) Evidence of Neolithic activity was confined to pits dug across the southern half of the site (Fig. 6). Eighteen pits

More information

Archaeological Watching Brief (Phase 2) at Court Lodge Farm, Aldington, near Ashford, Kent December 2011

Archaeological Watching Brief (Phase 2) at Court Lodge Farm, Aldington, near Ashford, Kent December 2011 Archaeological Watching Brief (Phase 2) at Court Lodge Farm, Aldington, near Ashford, Kent December 2011 SWAT. Archaeology Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company School Farm Oast, Graveney Road

More information

1 The East Oxford Archaeology and History Project

1 The East Oxford Archaeology and History Project 1 The East Oxford Archaeology and History Project EXOP TEST PIT 72 Location: Bartlemas Chapel, Cowley Date of excavation: 6-8 November 2013. Area of excavation: 0.8m x 1.2m, at the eastern end of the chapel.

More information

Moated Site at Manor Farm, Islip, Oxfordshire

Moated Site at Manor Farm, Islip, Oxfordshire Moated Site at Manor Farm, Islip, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Excavation By Jo Pine Site Code MFI05 December 2007 Summary Site name: Moated Site at Manor Farm, Islip, Oxfordshire Grid reference: SP 5298

More information

Archaeological. Monitoring & Recording Report. Fulbourn Primary School, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Monitoring & Recording Report.

Archaeological. Monitoring & Recording Report. Fulbourn Primary School, Cambridgeshire. Archaeological Monitoring & Recording Report. Fulbourn Primary School, Cambridgeshire Archaeological Monitoring & Recording Report October 2014 Client: Cambridgeshire County Council OA East Report No: 1689 OASIS No: oxfordar3-192890 NGR: TL 5190 5613

More information

Cambridge Archaeology Field Group. Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate Cambridgeshire

Cambridge Archaeology Field Group. Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate Cambridgeshire Cambridge Archaeology Field Group Fieldwalking on the Childerley Estate Cambridgeshire 2009 to 2014 Summary Fieldwalking on the Childerley estate of Martin Jenkins and Family has revealed, up to March

More information

Essex Historic Environment Record/ Essex Archaeology and History

Essex Historic Environment Record/ Essex Archaeology and History Essex Historic Environment Record/ Essex Archaeology and History CAT Report 578 Summary sheet Address: Kingswode Hoe School, Sussex Road, Colchester, Essex Parish: Colchester NGR: TL 9835 2528 Type of

More information

Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Chappel Farm, Little Totham, Essex. April 2013

Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Chappel Farm, Little Totham, Essex. April 2013 Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Chappel Farm, Little Totham, Essex April 2013 report prepared by Ben Holloway commissioned by Tim Harbord Associates on behalf of Mr Tom Howie Planning reference:

More information

Greater London Region GREATER LONDON 3/567 (E.01.K099) TQ BERMONDSEY STREET AND GIFCO BUILDING AND CAR PARK

Greater London Region GREATER LONDON 3/567 (E.01.K099) TQ BERMONDSEY STREET AND GIFCO BUILDING AND CAR PARK GREATER LONDON 3/567 (E.01.K099) TQ 33307955 156-170 BERMONDSEY STREET AND GIFCO BUILDING AND CAR PARK Assessment of an Archaeological Excavation at 156-170 Bermondsey Street and GIFCO Building and Car

More information

Silwood Farm, Silwood Park, Cheapside Road, Ascot, Berkshire

Silwood Farm, Silwood Park, Cheapside Road, Ascot, Berkshire Silwood Farm, Silwood Park, Cheapside Road, Ascot, Berkshire An Archaeological Watching Brief For Imperial College London by Tim Dawson Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code SFA 09/10 April

More information

An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Playgolf, Bakers Lane, Westhouse Farm, Colchester, Essex

An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Playgolf, Bakers Lane, Westhouse Farm, Colchester, Essex An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Playgolf, Bakers Lane, Westhouse Farm, Colchester, Essex commissioned by Mr Stephen Belchem on behalf of ADP Ltd. report prepared by Chris Lister Planning

More information

Grim s Ditch, Starveall Farm, Wootton, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Grim s Ditch, Starveall Farm, Wootton, Woodstock, Oxfordshire Grim s Ditch, Starveall Farm, Wootton, Woodstock, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Recording Action For Empire Homes by Steve Ford Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code SFW06/118 November 2006

More information

Lanton Lithic Assessment

Lanton Lithic Assessment Lanton Lithic Assessment Dr Clive Waddington ARS Ltd The section headings in the following assessment report refer to those in the Management of Archaeological Projects (HBMC 1991), Appendix 4. 1. FACTUAL

More information

Chapter 2. Remains. Fig.17 Map of Krang Kor site

Chapter 2. Remains. Fig.17 Map of Krang Kor site Chapter 2. Remains Section 1. Overview of the Survey Area The survey began in January 2010 by exploring the site of the burial rootings based on information of the rooted burials that was brought to the

More information

Is this the Original Anglo-Saxon period site of Weathercote?

Is this the Original Anglo-Saxon period site of Weathercote? Is this the Original Anglo-Saxon period site of Weathercote? A Batty & N Crack 2016 Front Cover. Looking south east across proposed original site of Weathercote. Photograph A 2 3 Weathercote Anglo-Saxon

More information

A Fieldwalking Project At Sompting. West Sussex

A Fieldwalking Project At Sompting. West Sussex by John Funnell Introduction A Fieldwalking Project At Sompting. West Sussex During March -and April 1995 the Brighton and Hove Archaeological Society conducted fie1dwa1king in a field at Sompting West

More information

Excavations at Shikarpur, Gujarat

Excavations at Shikarpur, Gujarat Excavations at Shikarpur, Gujarat 2008-2009 The Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, the M. S. University of Baroda continued excavations at Shikarpur in the second field season in 2008-09. In

More information

Control ID: Years of experience: Tools used to excavate the grave: Did the participant sieve the fill: Weather conditions: Time taken: Observations:

Control ID: Years of experience: Tools used to excavate the grave: Did the participant sieve the fill: Weather conditions: Time taken: Observations: Control ID: Control 001 Years of experience: No archaeological experience Tools used to excavate the grave: Trowel, hand shovel and shovel Did the participant sieve the fill: Yes Weather conditions: Flurries

More information

7. Prehistoric features and an early medieval enclosure at Coonagh West, Co. Limerick Kate Taylor

7. Prehistoric features and an early medieval enclosure at Coonagh West, Co. Limerick Kate Taylor 7. Prehistoric features and an early medieval enclosure at Coonagh West, Co. Limerick Kate Taylor Illus. 1 Location of the site in Coonagh West, Co. Limerick (based on the Ordnance Survey Ireland map)

More information

Phase 2 Urban consolidation AD

Phase 2 Urban consolidation AD Phase 2 Urban consolidation AD 1250-1350 The second recognised phase of activity at Rådhuspladsen corresponded approximately to the High medieval period (c. AD 1250 1350), and saw consolidation of the

More information

Archaeological evaluation at the Onley Arms, The Street, Stisted, Essex

Archaeological evaluation at the Onley Arms, The Street, Stisted, Essex Archaeological evaluation at the Onley Arms, The Street, Stisted, Essex November 2014 report by Pip Parmenter and Adam Wightman with a contribution from Stephen Benfield and illustrations by Emma Holloway

More information

Novington, Plumpton East Sussex

Novington, Plumpton East Sussex Novington, Plumpton East Sussex The Flint Over 1000 pieces of flintwork were recovered during the survey, and are summarised in Table 0. The flint is of the same types as found in the previous survey of

More information

Former Filling Station, High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire

Former Filling Station, High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire Former Filling Station, High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire An Archaeological Evaluation for Country Visions OK Limited by Sarah Coles Thames Valley Archaeological Services Ltd Site Code HSD01/36

More information

Undley Hall, Lakenheath LKH 307

Undley Hall, Lakenheath LKH 307 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION AND MONITORING REPORT SCCAS REPORT No. 2010/005 Undley Hall, Lakenheath LKH 307 E. Muldowney SCCAS January 2010 www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/e-and-t/archaeology Lucy Robinson, County

More information

An archaeological evaluation at the Blackwater Hotel, Church Road, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex March 2003

An archaeological evaluation at the Blackwater Hotel, Church Road, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex March 2003 An archaeological evaluation at the Blackwater Hotel, Church Road, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex report prepared by Laura Pooley on behalf of Dolphin Developments (U.K) Ltd NGR: TM 0082 1259 CAT project

More information

THE PRE-CONQUEST COFFINS FROM SWINEGATE AND 18 BACK SWINEGATE

THE PRE-CONQUEST COFFINS FROM SWINEGATE AND 18 BACK SWINEGATE THE PRE-CONQUEST COFFINS FROM 12 18 SWINEGATE AND 18 BACK SWINEGATE An Insight Report By J.M. McComish York Archaeological Trust for Excavation and Research (2015) Contents 1. INTRODUCTION... 3 2. THE

More information

Monitoring Report No. 99

Monitoring Report No. 99 Monitoring Report No. 99 Enniskillen Castle Co. Fermanagh AE/06/23 Cormac McSparron Site Specific Information Site Name: Townland: Enniskillen Castle Enniskillen SMR No: FER 211:039 Grid Ref: County: Excavation

More information

AN EARLY MEDIEVAL RUBBISH-PIT AT CATHERINGTON, HAMPSHIRE Bj>J. S. PILE and K. J. BARTON

AN EARLY MEDIEVAL RUBBISH-PIT AT CATHERINGTON, HAMPSHIRE Bj>J. S. PILE and K. J. BARTON AN EARLY MEDIEVAL RUBBISH-PIT AT CATHERINGTON, HAMPSHIRE Bj>J. S. PILE and K. J. BARTON INTRODUCTION THE SITE (fig. 21) is situated in the village of Catherington, one mile north-west of Horndean and 200

More information

Evidence for the use of bronze mining tools in the Bronze Age copper mines on the Great Orme, Llandudno

Evidence for the use of bronze mining tools in the Bronze Age copper mines on the Great Orme, Llandudno Evidence for the use of bronze mining tools in the Bronze Age copper mines on the Great Orme, Llandudno Background The possible use of bronze mining tools has been widely debated since the discovery of

More information

3. The new face of Bronze Age pottery Jacinta Kiely and Bruce Sutton

3. The new face of Bronze Age pottery Jacinta Kiely and Bruce Sutton 3. The new face of Bronze Age pottery Jacinta Kiely and Bruce Sutton Illus. 1 Location map of Early Bronze Age site at Mitchelstown, Co. Cork (based on the Ordnance Survey Ireland map) A previously unknown

More information

Monitoring Report No Sacred Heart Church Aghamore Boho Co. Fermanagh AE/10/116E. Brian Sloan L/2009/1262/F

Monitoring Report No Sacred Heart Church Aghamore Boho Co. Fermanagh AE/10/116E. Brian Sloan L/2009/1262/F Monitoring Report No. 202 Sacred Heart Church Aghamore Boho Co. Fermanagh AE/10/116E Brian Sloan L/2009/1262/F Site Specific Information Site Address: Sacred Heart Church, Aghamore, Boho, Co. Fermanagh

More information

16 members of the Fieldwalking Group met York Community Archaeologist Jon Kenny at Lou Howard s farm, Rose Cottage Farm, at

16 members of the Fieldwalking Group met York Community Archaeologist Jon Kenny at Lou Howard s farm, Rose Cottage Farm, at Terrington History Group Fieldwalking Group Field 1 Final report 21 October 2011 - fieldwalking 16 members of the Fieldwalking Group met York Community Archaeologist Jon Kenny at Lou Howard s farm, Rose

More information

CHAPTER 14. Conclusions. Nicky Milner, Barry Taylor and Chantal Conneller

CHAPTER 14. Conclusions. Nicky Milner, Barry Taylor and Chantal Conneller PA RT 6 Conclusions In conclusion it is only fitting to emphasise that, useful though the investigations at Star Carr have been in helping to fill a gap in the prehistory of north-western Europe, much

More information

MARSTON MICHAEL FARLEY

MARSTON MICHAEL FARLEY MARSTON MICHAEL FARLEY On 9 March agricultural contractors, laying field drains for Bucks County Council Land Agent's Department, cut through a limestone structure at SP 75852301 in an area otherwise consistently

More information

AREA C. HENRY 0. THOMPSON American Center of Oriental Research Amman, Jordan

AREA C. HENRY 0. THOMPSON American Center of Oriental Research Amman, Jordan AREA C HENRY 0. THOMPSON American Center of Oriental Research Amman, Jordan Of the 1971 work previously reported,' Squares 4,5, and 6 were not excavated in 1973, but work in Squares 1, 2, and 3 was continued.

More information

17 Phase 5. High and Late medieval features and activities AD

17 Phase 5. High and Late medieval features and activities AD 17 Phase 5. High and Late medieval features and activities 1200 1550 AD 17.1 Results This time phase is based on all findings that can be placed in the High and Late medieval period 1200 1550 AD based

More information

Excavation Report. Medieval Occupation at Challis Green Barrington Cambridgeshire. Excavation Report. Client: Hills Partnership Limited.

Excavation Report. Medieval Occupation at Challis Green Barrington Cambridgeshire. Excavation Report. Client: Hills Partnership Limited. Medieval Occupation at Challis Green Barrington Cambridgeshire Excavation Report Excavation Report April 2012 Client: Hills Partnership Limited OA East Report No: 1269 OASIS No: oxfordar3-102493 NGR: TL

More information

SALVAGE EXCAVATIONS AT OLD DOWN FARM, EAST MEON

SALVAGE EXCAVATIONS AT OLD DOWN FARM, EAST MEON Proc. Hants. Field Club Archaeol. Soc. 36, 1980, 153-160. 153 SALVAGE EXCAVATIONS AT OLD DOWN FARM, EAST MEON By RICHARD WHINNEY AND GEORGE WALKER INTRODUCTION The site was discovered by chance in December

More information

Moray Archaeology For All Project

Moray Archaeology For All Project School children learning how to identify finds. (Above) A flint tool found at Clarkly Hill. Copyright: Leanne Demay Moray Archaeology For All Project ational Museums Scotland have been excavating in Moray

More information

Suburban life in Roman Durnovaria

Suburban life in Roman Durnovaria Suburban life in Roman Durnovaria Additional specialist report Finds Ceramic building material By Kayt Brown Ceramic building material (CBM) Kayt Brown A total of 16420 fragments (926743g) of Roman ceramic

More information

4. Fauna and fulachta fiadh: animal bones from burnt mounds on the N9/N10 Carlow Bypass Auli Tourunen

4. Fauna and fulachta fiadh: animal bones from burnt mounds on the N9/N10 Carlow Bypass Auli Tourunen 4. Fauna and fulachta fiadh: animal bones from burnt mounds on the N9/N10 Carlow Bypass Auli Tourunen In the recent past it has often been reported that animal bones are not found in the excavation of

More information

Fort Arbeia and the Roman Empire in Britain 2012 FIELD REPORT

Fort Arbeia and the Roman Empire in Britain 2012 FIELD REPORT Fort Arbeia and the Roman Empire in Britain 2012 FIELD REPORT Background Information Lead PI: Paul Bidwell Report completed by: Paul Bidwell Period Covered by this report: 17 June to 25 August 2012 Date

More information

Archaeological Material From Spa Ghyll Farm, Aldfield

Archaeological Material From Spa Ghyll Farm, Aldfield Archaeological Material From Spa Ghyll Farm, Aldfield Introduction Following discussions with Linda Smith the Rural Archaeologist for North Yorkshire County Council, Robert Morgan of 3D Archaeological

More information

Foreign Whaling in Iceland Archaeological Excavations at Strákatangi in Hveravík, Kaldrananeshreppi 2007 Data Structure Report

Foreign Whaling in Iceland Archaeological Excavations at Strákatangi in Hveravík, Kaldrananeshreppi 2007 Data Structure Report Foreign Whaling in Iceland Archaeological Excavations at Strákatangi in Hveravík, Kaldrananeshreppi 2007 Data Structure Report Caroline Paulsen, Magnús Rafnsson and Ragnar Edvardsson February 2008 NV nr.

More information

An archaeological watching brief at St Leonard s church, Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex

An archaeological watching brief at St Leonard s church, Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex An archaeological watching brief at St Leonard s church, Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex report prepared by Adam Wightman on behalf of Dorvell Construction CAT project ref.: 10/5d Colchester and Ipswich

More information

Caistor Roman Project Interim Summary of 2015 Season of Test pits at Caistor Old Hall

Caistor Roman Project Interim Summary of 2015 Season of Test pits at Caistor Old Hall Caistor Roman Project Interim Summary of 2015 Season of Test pits at Caistor Old Hall Introduction This brief report summarises the first results of the 2015 campaign of test-pitting in the grounds of

More information

ST PATRICK S CHAPEL, ST DAVIDS PEMBROKESHIRE 2015

ST PATRICK S CHAPEL, ST DAVIDS PEMBROKESHIRE 2015 ST PATRICK S CHAPEL, ST DAVIDS PEMBROKESHIRE 2015 REPORT FOR THE NINEVEH CHARITABLE TRUST THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD AND DYFED ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST Introduction ST PATRICK S CHAPEL, ST DAVIDS, PEMBROKESHIRE,

More information

LAND WEST OF ELM GROVE, EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. NGR: SP (centred) ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

LAND WEST OF ELM GROVE, EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. NGR: SP (centred) ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION LAND WEST OF ELM GROVE, EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. NGR: SP 1892 4012 (centred) ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION Report No. 640 May 2009 1q LAND WEST OF ELM GROVE, EBRINGTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. NGR: SP 1892 4012

More information

Archaeological sites and find spots in the parish of Burghclere - SMR no. OS Grid Ref. Site Name Classification Period

Archaeological sites and find spots in the parish of Burghclere - SMR no. OS Grid Ref. Site Name Classification Period Archaeological sites and find spots in the parish of Burghclere - SMR no. OS Grid Ref. Site Name Classification Period SU45NE 1A SU46880 59200 Ridgemoor Farm Inhumation Burial At Ridgemoor Farm, on the

More information

Peace Hall, Sydney Town Hall Results of Archaeological Program (Interim Report)

Peace Hall, Sydney Town Hall Results of Archaeological Program (Interim Report) Results of Archaeological Program (Interim Report) Background The proposed excavation of a services basement in the western half of the Peace Hall led to the archaeological investigation of the space in

More information

An archaeological watching brief at Sheepen, Colchester, Essex November-December 2003

An archaeological watching brief at Sheepen, Colchester, Essex November-December 2003 An archaeological watching brief at Sheepen, Colchester, Essex November-December 2003 report prepared by Ben Holloway on behalf of Colchester Borough Council CAT project ref.: 03/11c Colchester Museums

More information

1996 Figurine Report Naomi Hamilton

1996 Figurine Report Naomi Hamilton 1996 Figurine Report Naomi Hamilton THE FIGURINES AND OTHER SMALL FINDS Naomi Hamilton Some preliminary comments on the distribution of certain types of artefact, with particular attention to the trench

More information

Archaeological Evaluation Report

Archaeological Evaluation Report 16-18 Church Street Brill Buckinghamshire o a February 2008 Client: Stephen Moss Developments Issue N o : 1 OA Job N o : 3858 Planning Ref N o : 06/01304 NGR: SP 6553 1377 Client Name: Stephen Moss Developments

More information

Advanced archaeology at the archive. Museum of London Support materials AS/A2 study day

Advanced archaeology at the archive. Museum of London Support materials AS/A2 study day Advanced archaeology at the archive Support materials AS/A2 study day Contents National Curriculum links and session description 1-2 Example timetable 3 Practical guidelines 4 Visit preparation and pre-visit

More information

S E R V I C E S. St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst, Kent. Archaeological Watching Brief. by Daniel Bray and James McNicoll-Norbury

S E R V I C E S. St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst, Kent. Archaeological Watching Brief. by Daniel Bray and James McNicoll-Norbury T H A M E S V A L L E Y ARCHAEOLOGICAL S E R V I C E S St John the Baptist Church, Penshurst, Kent Archaeological Watching Brief by Daniel Bray and James McNicoll-Norbury Site Code: JPK11/25 (TQ 5273 4385)

More information

Rådhuspladsen, KBM 3827

Rådhuspladsen, KBM 3827 KØBENHAVNS MUSEUM / MUSEUM OF COPENHAGEN Rådhuspladsen, KBM 3827 Cultural Historical Report, Metro Cityring Excavation Ed Lyne and Hanna Dahlström Foreword As a result of the extensive archaeological

More information

EXCAVATION AT ST MARY'S ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 379 AND SOU 1112)

EXCAVATION AT ST MARY'S ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 379 AND SOU 1112) Proc. Hampshire Field Club Archaeol. Soc. 58, 2003, 106-129 (Hampshire Studies 2003) EXCAVATION AT ST MARY'S ROAD, SOUTHAMPTON (SOU 379 AND SOU 1112) By M F GARNER With contributions ^DM GOODBURN and L

More information

Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Dale Hall, Cox s Hill, Lawford, Essex

Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Dale Hall, Cox s Hill, Lawford, Essex Archaeological trial-trenching evaluation at Dale Hall, Cox s Hill, Lawford, Essex Fieldwork directed by Ben Holloway report prepared by Howard Brooks with a contribution by Stephen Benfield on behalf

More information

An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Scotts Farm, Lodge Lane, Purleigh, Essex October 2011

An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Scotts Farm, Lodge Lane, Purleigh, Essex October 2011 An archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Scotts Farm, Lodge Lane, Purleigh, Essex October 2011 report prepared by Adam Wightman on behalf of Richard Emans CAT project ref.: 11/10a NGR: TL 582719

More information

The lithic assemblage from Kingsdale Head (KH09)

The lithic assemblage from Kingsdale Head (KH09) 1 The lithic assemblage from Kingsdale Head (KH09) Hannah Russ Introduction During excavation the of potential Mesolithic features at Kingsdale Head in 2009 an assemblage of flint and chert artefacts were

More information

Bangor University. The Meillionydd Project: Characterising the double ringwork enclosures in Gwynedd Preliminary Excavation Report

Bangor University. The Meillionydd Project: Characterising the double ringwork enclosures in Gwynedd Preliminary Excavation Report Bangor University The Meillionydd Project: Characterising the double ringwork enclosures in Gwynedd Preliminary Excavation Report Kate Waddington and Raimund Karl Bangor, August 2010 Contents Acknowledements

More information

Cetamura Results

Cetamura Results Cetamura 2000 2006 Results A major project during the years 2000-2006 was the excavation to bedrock of two large and deep units located on an escarpment between Zone I and Zone II (fig. 1 and fig. 2);

More information

Bronze Age 2, BC

Bronze Age 2, BC Bronze Age 2,000-600 BC There may be continuity with the Neolithic period in the Early Bronze Age, with the harbour being used for seasonal grazing, and perhaps butchering and hide preparation. In the

More information

Chapel House Wood Landscape Project. Interim Report 2013

Chapel House Wood Landscape Project. Interim Report 2013 Chapel House Wood Landscape Project Interim Report 2013 Chapel House Wood Landscape Project Interim Report 2013 The annual Dales Heritage Field School was held at Chapel House Wood again this year, and

More information

The Swan Hotel, Lavenham LVM 080

The Swan Hotel, Lavenham LVM 080 The Swan Hotel, Lavenham LVM 080 Post-Excavation Assessment Report v0.4 SCCAS Report No. 2013/148 Client: TA Hotel Collection Author: Rob Brooks December/2014 Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service

More information

TA 04/15 OASIS ID

TA 04/15 OASIS ID River Tees Rediscovered Project Archaeological Excavations in Egglescliffe Stockton on Tees 2015 TA 04/15 OASIS ID 1-238455 River Tees Rediscovered Project Archaeological Excavations in Egglescliffe Stockton

More information

Lyminge Excavations 2013

Lyminge Excavations 2013 Lyminge Excavations 2013 Interim report on the University of Reading excavations at Lyminge, Kent Gabor Thomas and Alexandra Knox University of Reading Introduction The second season of AHRC-funded excavations

More information

ROMAN, ANGLIAN AND ANGLO-SCANDINAVIAN ACTIVITY AND A MEDIEVAL CEMETERY ON LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF DIXON LANE AND GEORGE STREET, YORK

ROMAN, ANGLIAN AND ANGLO-SCANDINAVIAN ACTIVITY AND A MEDIEVAL CEMETERY ON LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF DIXON LANE AND GEORGE STREET, YORK YORK ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST ROMAN, ANGLIAN AND ANGLO-SCANDINAVIAN ACTIVITY AND A MEDIEVAL CEMETERY ON LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF DIXON LANE AND GEORGE STREET, YORK PRINCIPAL AUTHOR J.M. MCCOMISH WEB PUBLICATION

More information

Whitton Church Lane (Recreation Ground) WHI 014

Whitton Church Lane (Recreation Ground) WHI 014 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION REPORT Whitton Church Lane (Recreation Ground) WHI 014 A REPORT ON THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION, 2008 (Planning app. no. 1362/05/FUL) Jezz Meredith Field Team Suffolk C.C. Archaeological

More information

Bronze-Age and Romano-British Sites South-East of Tewkesbury: evaluations and excavations

Bronze-Age and Romano-British Sites South-East of Tewkesbury: evaluations and excavations From the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Bronze-Age and Romano-British Sites South-East of Tewkesbury: evaluations and excavations 1991-7 by G. Walker, A. Thomas

More information

Excavation of Iron-Age and Roman Occupation at Coln Gravel, Thornhill Farm,Fairford, Gloucestershire, 2003 and 2004.

Excavation of Iron-Age and Roman Occupation at Coln Gravel, Thornhill Farm,Fairford, Gloucestershire, 2003 and 2004. From the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Excavation of Iron-Age and Roman Occupation at Coln Gravel, Thornhill Farm,Fairford, Gloucestershire, 2003 and 2004. by Dan

More information

By Lisa Brown. Trench 1. Residual pottery. 4.1 The later prehistoric pottery

By Lisa Brown. Trench 1. Residual pottery. 4.1 The later prehistoric pottery 4.1 The later prehistoric pottery By Lisa Brown 4.1.9 Introduction What follows are detailed trench by trench descriptions of the pottery, complementing the discussions in the Alfred s Castle monograph.

More information

THE EXCAVATION OF A BURNT MOUND AT HARBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE

THE EXCAVATION OF A BURNT MOUND AT HARBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE Proc Hampshire Field ClubArchaeolSoc5i, 1999,172-179 (Hampshire Studies 1999) THE EXCAVATION OF A BURNT MOUND AT HARBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE by S J SHENNAN ABSTRACT A burnt mound of Late Brome Age date, as indicated

More information

Changing People Changing Landscapes: excavations at The Carrick, Midross, Loch Lomond Gavin MacGregor, University of Glasgow

Changing People Changing Landscapes: excavations at The Carrick, Midross, Loch Lomond Gavin MacGregor, University of Glasgow Changing People Changing Landscapes: excavations at The Carrick, Midross, Loch Lomond Gavin MacGregor, University of Glasgow Located approximately 40 kilometres to the south-west of Oban, as the crow flies

More information

Intermediate School Gym RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell ERL 214

Intermediate School Gym RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell ERL 214 Intermediate School Gym RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell ERL 214 Archaeological Excavation Report SCCAS Report No. 2012/017 Client: Defence Infrastructure Organisation Author: Andrew Vaughan Beverton 06/2012 Intermediate

More information

A Middle-Late Iron Age field system and post-medieval garden features at Stedlyn Retreat, Lynsted, Kent

A Middle-Late Iron Age field system and post-medieval garden features at Stedlyn Retreat, Lynsted, Kent A Middle-Late Iron Age field system and post-medieval garden features at Stedlyn Retreat, Lynsted, Kent Wessex Archaeology, Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury SP4 6EB tel: 01722 326867 fax: 01722

More information

Small Finds Assessment, Minchery Paddock, Littlemore, Oxford (MP12)

Small Finds Assessment, Minchery Paddock, Littlemore, Oxford (MP12) Small s Assessment, Minchery Paddock, Littlemore, Oxford (MP12) Introduction A total of 51 objects recovered from excavations at Minchery Paddock, Littlemore, Oxford (MP12) were submitted for dating and

More information

Erection of wind turbine, Mains of Loanhead, Old Rayne, AB52 6SX

Erection of wind turbine, Mains of Loanhead, Old Rayne, AB52 6SX Erection of wind turbine, Mains of Loanhead, Old Rayne, AB52 6SX Ltd 23 November 2011 Erection of wind turbine, Mains of Loanhead, Old Rayne, AB52 6SX CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

More information

Burrell Orchard 2014: Cleveland Archaeological Society Internship Amanda Ponomarenko The Ohio State University June - August 2014

Burrell Orchard 2014: Cleveland Archaeological Society Internship Amanda Ponomarenko The Ohio State University June - August 2014 1 Burrell Orchard 2014: Cleveland Archaeological Society Internship Amanda Ponomarenko The Ohio State University June - August 2014 Selected for the 2014 Cleveland Archaeological Society Internship in

More information

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RPORT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RPORT CB35 VERNON HOUSE, MARKET PLACE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RPORT CONTENTS SITE HISTORY LOCATION AND PROTOCOL ANALYSIS OF RESULTS Description of pit Finds Interpretation CB35 VERNON HOUSE, MARKET PLACE SITE HISTORY

More information