WHATLEY MANOR HOTEL EASTON GREY WILTSHIRE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
CA PROJECT: 1233 CA REPORT: 02111
Author:
Kate Cullen
Approved:
Simon Cox
Signed:
……………………………………………………………. Issue: 01
Date: 6 November 2002
This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission. © Cotswold Archaeology Headquarters Building, Kemble Business Park, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail:
[email protected]
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 4 The site .............................................................................................................. 4 Archaeological background ................................................................................ 5 Methodology....................................................................................................... 5
2.
RESULTS .......................................................................................................... 5
3.
DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 5
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM.......................................................................................... 6
5.
REFERENCES................................................................................................... 6
APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................... 7
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1
Site location plan
Fig. 2
The site, showing location of groundworks and well
2
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
SUMMARY
Site Name:
Whatley Manor Hotel
Location:
Near Easton Grey, Wiltshire
NGR:
ST 8975 8715
Type:
Watching brief
Date:
September 2001 to October 2002
Planning Reference:
01/01085/FUL
Location of Archive:
To be deposited with Devizes Museum
Site Code:
WMH 01
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the development of a spa complex at Whatley Manor Hotel near Easton Grey.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest, except for an undated well, were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material predating the modern period was recovered.
3
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Between September 2001 and October 2002 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for MAC Hotels at the Whatley Manor Hotel near Easton Grey (centred on NGR: ST 8975 8715; Fig. 1).
1.2
The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for development of a spa complex at the hotel (Planning ref: 01/01085/FUL). The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.
1.3
The archaeological fieldwork was carried out in accordance with project design produced by CAT (2001) and approved by Mr R Canham of Wiltshire County Council, archaeological advisor to North Wiltshire District Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (1999) and Wiltshire County Council’s Standards for Archaeological Assessment and Field Evaluation in Wiltshire (CAS Wilts 1995).
The site
1.4
The site is situated on ground overlooking the north bank of the River Avon between Easton Grey and Malmesbury (Fig. 2). The site lies at approximately 98m AOD, sloping down to the river.
1.5
The underlying geology of the area is mapped as sand and gravels laid down in recent times and Kellaways Clay of the Upper Jurassic era. (BGS 1970).
1.6
The land is currently being developed as a hotel and spa complex.
4
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
Archaeological background
1.7
Archaeological interest in the site arises from linear and rectilinear enclosures and crop marks of uncertain date to the north and west. The area is also an ideal location for prehistoric and later settlement and exploitation.
Methodology
1.8
The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the project design (CAT 2001). An archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks, comprising excavation for foundations and services, landscaping and large scale soil removal for basements (Fig. 2).
1.9
Written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (1996).
1.10
Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive will be deposited with Devizes Museum.
2.
RESULTS
2.1
The natural geological substrate 102 consisting of yellow-brown clay was revealed at an average depth of 0.85m below present ground level. This was overlain by yellow-brown silty clay 101 averaging 0.50m in thickness, which was in turn sealed mainly by 0.35m of modern tarmac and make-up layers 100.
2.2
The only feature of archaeological interest observed during groundworks was a post-medieval well, sealed by a concrete floor in a building of supposed eighteenthcentury date (Fig. 2). No dating evidence was recovered. Despite visual scanning of the spoil, no artefactual material predating the modern period was recovered.
3.
DISCUSSION
3.1
Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological background above), the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within
5
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
the area of observed groundworks except for the post-medieval well. The absence of archaeological deposits may indicate that any remains associated with earlier settlement of the area either do not extend as far as, or were not exposed by, the development, or that they may have been removed during the construction of the hotel.
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Franco Vartuca, Kevin Colls, Kate Cullen, Dave Kenyon and Mark Brett. Kate Cullen also compiled this report. The illustrations were prepared Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Franco Vartuca and Kate Cullen, and prepared for deposition by Ed McSloy. The project was managed for CA by Simon Cox.
5.
REFERENCES
Network Archaeology 2000 Easton Grey to Minety proposed high pressure natural gas supply pipeline. Archaeological Desk Based Assessment. (Network Archaeology Report No.247)
CAT 2001 Project Design for an Archaeological Watching Brief.
BGS (British Geological Survey) 1970 Geological Survey of England & Wales. Sheet 251, Malmesbury, 1 inch to 1 mile.
6
Whatley Manor Hotel: Archaeological Watching Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
100 101 102 103
Modern tarmac/make-up. Approx 0.35m in depth. Mid yellow-brown silty clay with occasional limestone fragments. Approx 0.50m in depth. Light to mid yellow-brown clay. Natural, overlaying clay and limestone brash. Approx 1.7m in depth. Post-medieval well, 5.5m deep, 0.85m in diameter, constructed of sandstone blocks.
7
