PHASE F GROUNDWORKS BAKER’S QUAY GLOUCESTER QUAYS GLOUCESTER ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
For
SCOTT WILSON LTD on behalf of
GLOUCESTER QUAYS LLP
CA PROJECT: 2443 CA REPORT: 08031
MARCH 2008
PHASE F GROUNDWORKS BAKER’S QUAY GLOUCESTER QUAYS GLOUCESTER
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
CA PROJECT: 2443 CA REPORT: 08031
prepared by date checked by date approved by
Kelly Saunders, Project Supervisor 22 February 2008 Laurent Coleman, Project Manager 29 February 2008 Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork
signed date
6 March 2008
issue
01
This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission. © Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail:
[email protected]
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
CONTENTS SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 2 1.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 3
2.
RESULTS ............................................................................................................ 5
3.
DISCUSSION....................................................................................................... 5
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 6
5.
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 6
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ..................................................................... 7 APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM ............................................................................ 8
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1
Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2
The site, showing location of observed groundworks (1:1000)
Fig. 3
Section AA (1:50)
1
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
SUMMARY
Project Name:
Phase F Groundworks
Location:
Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester
NGR:
SO 8265 1809
Type:
Watching Brief
Date:
29 January to 6 February 2008
Planning Reference:
06/00358/FUL
Location of Archive:
Gloucester Museum and Art Gallery
Site Code:
BWG 08
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester. These groundworks were undertaken following the demolition of buildings comprising 7-11 Llanthony Road, and a collection of single storey sheds and workshops occupying part of the plot fronting Merchant’s Road. The watching brief was undertaken at the request of Scott Wilson Ltd on behalf of Gloucester Quays LLP.
A buried soil horizon and a possible palaeochannel were observed during groundworks. However, no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.
2
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
In January to February 2008 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching brief for Scott Wilson Ltd on behalf of Gloucester Quays LLP at Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester (centred on NGR: SO 8265 1809; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken to fulfil a condition attached to a planning consent for construction works at Baker’s Quay (Planning ref: 06/00358/FUL, condition 39). The objective of the watching brief was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development.
1.2
The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) prepared by Scott Wilson Ltd (2007) and with a detailed WSI produced by CA (2007) both approved by Mr Jonathan Smith, Gloucester City Council Planning Services, archaeological advisor to Gloucester City Council. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (2001), the Statement for Standards
and
Practices
Appropriate
for
Archaeological
Fieldwork
in
Gloucestershire (GCC 1996), and the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991).
The site 1.3
The Baker’s Quay site forms part of the overall Gloucester Quays development area, approximately 25ha in size and located c. 0.8km to the south-west of the modern city centre. The Phase F Groundworks site comprises Zone 1 (no further archaeological works required) and Zone 2 (watching brief zone). Zone 2 is located within the north-western part of the Phase F Groundworks site and is bounded to the north-east by Llanthony Road, to the south-east by Merchant’s Road, to the southwest by Pillar and Lucy House and to the north-west by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal (Fig. 2). The site lies at approximately 12m AOD and has recently been cleared of 19th and 20th-century industrial and commercial buildings.
1.4
The Phase F Groundworks (Zone 2) are approximately 0.4ha in area and include the remains of buildings comprising 7-11 Llanthony Road and a number of small sheds and workshops.
3
© Cotswold Archaeology
1.5
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Lower Lias Clays of the Lower Jurassic overlain by Estuarine Alluvium (BGS 1975).
Archaeological background 1.6
The archaeological potential of the site has been summarised within the WSI (Scott Wilson 2007); the archaeological background within this document is summarised within the following paragraphs.
1.7
The WSI notes that the Gloucester Urban Archaeological Database (GUAD) characterises the whole of this area as ‘Medieval suburbs and post-medieval church and burial ground’. The majority of entries within the GUAD and Gloucestershire Sites and Monuments Record (GSMR) refer to post-medieval industries however there are several records of earlier sites and/or finds within the immediate vicinity (Scott Wilson 2007).
1.8
Archaeological evaluation within this part of Baker’s Quay produced no significant results and indicated previous disturbance involving ground reduction and/or levelling and the subsequent raising of the ground level with made ground (trench D2). Brick footings probably associated with cottages constructed in the early 1840s were also recorded (trench D3) together with a substantial arched brick culvert (trench D1) (Scott Wilson 2007)
Methodology 1.9
The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2007). The archaeological watching brief was undertaken during specific groundworks located within Zone 2 of the Phase F Groundworks, namely all excavation and/or soil disturbance in excess of 0.5m below present ground level (bpgl) within the development area (Scott Wilson 2007, figs D100972/AR/02 and D100972/AR/03).
1.10
Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).
1.11
Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) but no deposits were identified that
4
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
required sampling. Modern finds were identified during the watching brief but were not retained.
1.12
The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. The archive will be deposited with Gloucester Museum and Art Gallery. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.
2.
RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)
2.1
Excavation within the south-western part of the site was undertaken to a depth of c. 1.9m bpgl, elsewhere excavation was undertaken to a depth of c. 0.7m bpgl. Within the south-western part of the site the natural geological substrate 104 comprised grey silty clay and was revealed at an average depth of 1.9m bpgl. A palaeochannel 105, orientated east/west, was partially exposed during the groundworks. Covering this feature was buried subsoil 107 and buried topsoil 106 (Fig. 3). These deposits sloped steeply downwards to the west.
2.2
Buried topsoil 106 was covered by make-up deposit 103 containing ash and charcoal, as well as the remains of wooden railway sleepers. This make-up layer was much deeper at the western edge of site where its full depth was not established. Deposit 103 was identified throughout the remainder of the observed groundworks. The foundations for the now demolished structures 109, and modern surfaces 101 and 102 were also identified.
3.
DISCUSSION
3.1
The possible palaeochannel 105, and the buried land surface, represented by deposits 106 and 107 appeared to predate the establishing of the canal and later industrial development. No evidence for mid 18th-century temporary dwellings was identified within the observed groundworks. The buried land surface was overlain by up to 1.6m of make-up deposit 103, which may have been deposited to level the area following the construction of the canal and/or prior to the construction of industrial buildings. The northern part of the site had been significantly truncated by cellars of 19th to 20th-century date.
5
© Cotswold Archaeology
4.
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
CA PROJECT TEAM Fieldwork was undertaken by Jon Webster and Kelly Saunders. The report was written by Kelly Saunders. The illustrations were prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Kelly Saunders, and prepared for deposition by Kathryn Price. The project was managed for CA by Laurent Coleman.
5.
REFERENCES
BGS (British Geological Survey) 1975 Geological Survey of England and Wales, Sheet 234, Gloucester, Scale 1:50,000
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2007 Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief
Scott Wilson 2007 Phase F Ground works, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays: Written Scheme of Investigation for Archaeological Watching Brief
6
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
No.
Type
Description
Length (m)
Width (m)
Depth (m) 0.1 0.15 1.65 max
n/k
c.3
n/k
Spotdate Modern Modern C19th
101 102 103
Layer Layer Layer
104
Layer
Concrete Hardcore below 101 Make-up layer, mainly dark blue/brown silt and clay, ash and clinker throughout, occasional wooden sleepers Natural substrate, light orange grey silty clay
105
Fill
Palaeochannel, light grey blue silty clay
106
Layer
107
Layer
Buried topsoil, mid grey brown silty sand, moderate root disturbance Buried subsoil, dark brown grey silty sand
108
Cut
Construction for foundations 109
C19
109
Structure
Foundations of 7-11 Llanthony Road
C19
0.8 0.24
7
© Cotswold Archaeology
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Short description (250 words maximum)
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester. These groundworks were undertaken following the demolition of buildings comprising 7-11 Llanthony Road, and a collection of single storey sheds and workshops occupying part of the plot fronting Merchant’s Road. A buried soil horizon and a possible palaeochannel were observed during groundworks. However, no artefactual material pre-dating the modern period was recovered.
Project dates Project type (e.g. desk-based, field evaluation etc)
29 January to 6 February 2008 Watching Brief
Previous work (reference to organisation or SMR numbers etc) Future work
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2003 Gloucester Quays, Gloucester: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 03130 Unknown
PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference)
Bakers Quay, Gloucester Quays 0.4ha SO 8265 1809
PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Project Brief originator Project Design (WSI) originator
Cotswold Archaeology Scott Wilson, Cotswold Archaeology
Project Manager Project Supervisor PROJECT ARCHIVES
Laurent Coleman Jon Webster, Kelly Saunders Intended final location of Content (e.g. pottery, archive: animal bone etc)
Paper
Gloucester Museum and Art gallery
Pro-forma recording sheets and drawings
BIBLIOGRAPHY CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2008 Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay, Gloucester Quays, Gloucester. Archaeological Watching Brief . CA typescript report 08031
8
Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109
N
Site
0
2.5km
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT TITLE
Gloucestershire
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay Gloucester Quays, Gloucester FIGURE TITLE
Site location plan DRAWN BY
LG
SCALE
1:25,000@A4
PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
2443
1
Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109
827
N
826
181
103 104 105 104 104 A A
180
SO
0
100m
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT TITLE
site area of observed groundworks
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay Gloucester Quays, Gloucester FIGURE TITLE
The site, showing location of observed groundworks DRAWN BY
LG
SCALE
1:1000@A4
PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
2443
2
Section AA
NE
SW concrete 101
112m AOD
hardcore 102 make-up 103
buried topsoil 106
buried subsoil 107 natural 104
0
5m
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT TITLE
Phase F Groundworks, Baker’s Quay Gloucester Quays, Gloucester FIGURE TITLE
Section AA DRAWN BY
LG
SCALE
1:50@A4
PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
2443
3
