Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION
EV/ANC/12
PREPARED BY DR N PHILLIPS
27THJULY 2013
A.P.A.C. Ltd Anchor Inn, Tintern EV/ANC/12
SUMMARY
This report records a program of evaluation work carried out on a rural site
prior to proposed development.
MCC in accordance with the guidance from GGAT deferred the planning
decision to await the findings of an archaeological evaluation at the site.
Future development at the site will be guided by the results of this evaluation.
With the exception of one fragment of medieval potter; finds recovered, related
mostly to 19th/20th century deposition.
Copyright Notice:
A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains
otherwise with the Ordnance Survey.
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CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4
7. METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................................ 5
8. SURVEY....................................................................................................................................................... 6
9. DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH.................................................................................................................. 6
12. INTERPRETATION..................................................................................................................................... 7
13. CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................................................... 7
16. ARCHIVE..................................................................................................................................................... 7
17. COPYRIGHT................................................................................................................................................ 8
19. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................................. 8
20. BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................................................................... 9
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FIGURES
01 Location Plan
02 Trenches
03 Map progressions
04 Trench 1, Plan & Section
05 Trench 2, Plan and Section
PLATES
01 Initial clearance at north end of trench, through access track deposit onto land drains
02 Initial clearance at north end of trench, through access track deposit onto land drains
03 Detail of upper land drain. Coarse grain material with fluted outer surface
04 Stratigraphic sequence of east wall 4
05 Overview of trench showing post positions
06 Overview of trench showing post positions
07 Stratigraphic sequence of south wall 7
08 Stratigraphic sequence of south wall 3
09 Post 1
10 Post 1, 2nd section
11 Post 2
12 Post 2 2nd section detail
13 Post 2 detail side
14 Post 2 detail, cut top
15 Post hole 3 western end of trench with post replaced (flash). Mark made by digger bucket
16 Post 3 detail, side with bark. Silver birch
17 Post 3 detail, inside
18 Post 3 detail, top. Sawn end
APPENDICES
I Context list
II Complete list of finds
III Complete list of photographs
IV Contact Sheet of complete photographs
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1. INTRODUCTION
Dr N Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd, was contacted in December 2012 by Miss H Davies of Graham Frecknall
Archietects agents for Mr G Dawe, in relation to proposed work to be undertaken on land belonging to the
client; Anchor Inn, Tintern NP16 6TE.
The proposed development is for the demolition of a wooden building erected in the early 20th century, in order
to provide additional accommodation buildings for the hotel.
The client; had been advised during previous work at the site that there would be a possible archaeological issue
for any planning application.
The client therefore after communication with both planning and GGAT, initiated a programme of
archaeological investigation for which a design brief was drawn up by Dr N Phillips and passed for approval to
GGAT, DB/EV/ANC/12.
The location of the site, fig 01 is on the north of the A466 at Tintern adjacent to the Abbey.
The land chosen for the evaluation is to the east of the building to be demolished, on ground which is mostly
lawn at the north east edge of ‘The Leytons’ Sports field fig 02. This aspect of the site was evaluated by trench
2.
The north of the site is bounded by a track and embankment of the River Wye. Leading from the track, an access
ramped area, gradient 1:14 to 1:5, leads to the sports field. This area was evaluated by trench 1.
The Tintern area has long been associated with the beginnings of modern tourism, supplying curious 18th century
travellers with glimpses of a romanticised past.
However, the real fabric of the past can easily be traced from prehistoric times, right through each era to the
present.
The most noticeable is without doubt the medieval presence of the abbey but within plain view are even more
relics of the burgeoning industrial period, iron works, the railways and shipping.
More specific to the site of evaluation, ‘The Anchor Inn’ is located inside the Outer Precinct of the Cistercian
monastery at Tintern; the current building includes medieval and later fabric, (MON1878/CNM).
The building is in two distinct sections forming an ‘L’ shape with the longer wing to the left.
The shorter range is also ‘L’ shaped with a wing projecting to the rear. The longer range
seems to have had an industrial origin and to have been a cider-mill with a granary over,
while the shorter and older range was the house of the miller and ferryman of the Abbey
ferry. The ferryman’s house appears medieval in origin as early masonry is discernable,
outside, and it seems likely from the shape that the existing structure, which otherwise
reflects a probably early C18 refurbishment, is wholly medieval, although the rear wing is
partly later. The cider-house wing seems to be C17, and then considerably reconstructed in
the mid C19, and the whole building has been refurbished as a hotel in the mid C20….The
ferry operated from the C14…
Cadw 24032
Ordnance Survey mapping of the site shows that in the late 19th century, fig 03a, the evaluation area lay south
and east, of the north west corner of a boundary wall. As extensive changes occurred to the east over the next
century, figs 03b, 03c & 03d, the evaluation site remained un modified.
The proposed development is within an enclosed area recorded as belonging to the Cistercian Monastery at
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Tintern and therefore possible archaeological resources; which if present, may be impacted upon by any
development.
In accordance with the approved project design DB/EV/ANC/13, the aim was to:
Elucidate the character, distribution, extent and importance of any potential archaeological remains, extant in the
development area; allowing for the production of a sufficiently detailed report to be used to inform and mitigate
any associated development.
A program of evaluation trenching, undertaken specifically to establish the presence and extent of
significant archaeological deposits, features and structures.
This report has been produced from the results of the evaluation and contains a detailed summary of the
methodology, site history, deposits/features/ structures/artefacts uncovered and interpretation of the results.
The archaeology of the application site as a whole, in its wider local or regional context, was considered,
although the evaluation was confined to those areas which were directly affected by the development or some
aspect of it. All remains of potential interest were considered, whatever their date.
7. METHODOLOGY
A trenching strategy was drawn up with reference early Ordnance Survey Mapping and preliminary discussion
with Neil Maylan GGAT.
Two trenches, 10m x 1.8m, were set out within the designated parcel of land; fig 02. Trench 2 was then adjusted
to 7m x 1.8 as it extended beyond the site boundary. (approved by telephone conversation with Neil Maylan).
Both trenches were excavated to natural by mechanical digger and then cleared manually.
Trench 1 was excavated to a maximum depth of depth of 1.4m, into a deposition fill of river silt.
Trench 2 was excavated to a maximum depth of 1m, into a deposition of river silt.
The evaluation trenching allowed for the character, distribution, extent and importance of at least the minimum
number of archaeological features to be understood.
A photographic record of the work was made during the evaluation, recording any sections, anomalies or items
of interest, for later use in the report.
Photographs were recorded in RAW and jpeg format at a minimum of 8 mega pixles; contact sheets Appendix
IV.
NB: The very harsh sunlight produced a less than an ideal situation for photography.
All contexts were recorded during excavation and soil samples taken were necessary for later analysis.
A topographical survey was undertaken of the trenches to locate them within the boundary of the property
thereby allowing for accuracy of any future work.
Sufficient documentary research was undertaken to place the results of the evaluation in their historic context.
Assessment and analysis of all data collected or compiled was undertaken and the results thereof compiled into
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report form.
A complete archive of the work undertaken will be deposited with Gwent Record Office, with the original
documentary archive kept with A.P.A.C. Ltd.
8. SURVEY
Survey was undertaken at the end of the evaluation trenching with the important features recorded using a
Topcon GPT 3007 REDM, Reflectorless Electronic Distance Measurement, Total Station.
Surveyed data was processed in Civilcad 6 and corrected to plans available with the planning application.
Final processing was done at the end of the work with all data being transferred into Autocad for plotting and
Adobe Illustrator for publication.
9. DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH
Research undertaken to complete the background history of the site was completed from the following sources:
10. RESULTS
Trench 1 (refer to fig 02 for location and 04 for section schematic) (Brackets [ ] denote context number)
Trench 1 was excavated to a maximum depth of 1.4m, reaching a consistent natural river deposit [104], Plate 01.
The general sequence of the trench fig 04 was a surface of laid gravel/grass trackway [100] over deposit of [101]
brown sandy soil with roots and some 19th/20th century debitage {1}.
Beneath [101] was a deposition of a darker sandy soil [102] with no roots but also containing an amount of
19th/20th century debitage {2}.
[102] overlay a deposit of grey/brown sandy silt [103], which overlay the natural brown sandy/clay [104].
The natural [104] had been disturbed at the northern end of the trench for the installation of a salt glazed soil
pipe [106] running east/west at a depth of 1.4m, Plate 02.
No cut [105] or fill [107] were readily discernable for this feature but an earlier double clay land drain [108] at a
depth of 0.93m and running north/south, had been cut through for its installation.
A later period white clay and fluted land drain [111] ran parallel to [108] at a depth of 0.53m Plate 03. The
relevant cut and fills for [108] and [109] were not discernable, Plate 04.
The last deposition noted was that of [114] a patch of angular stone/gravel, possibly a repair to the trackway;
visible to the top left of Plate 04.
Trench 2 (refer to fig 02 for location and fig 05 for section detail)(Brackets [ ] denote context number)
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Trench 2 was excavated to natural [205] for the majority of its length as can be seen in Plates 05 & 06. The areas
of baulk shown in the plates relate to two in situ wooden posts [210] & [211] before their excavation.
The sequence of deposition for trench 2 was [200] turf over a narrow levelling layer of black fine sand, granular
coal and small stone [201], confined to the last metre or so of the eastern end, Plate 07. [201] yielded finds
assemblage {3} and {4}.
Beneath [201] the deposition was consistent with trench 1: [202] \ [101] over [203] \ [102] over [204]\[103] over
[205]\[104], Plate 08.
In trench 2, context [204] yielded finds assemblage {5} and three wooden remains:
All three posts were located within context [204] with no intrusion into [205] or [203]. All three posts were half
sectioned before removed.
12. INTERPRETATION
The findings from both trenches revealed no evidence of any significant archaeological resources within the area
sampled.
The site would appear to have been derived from natural river deposition with some shallow modification to
achieve level ground and drainage.
13. CONCLUSIONS
Information derived from this evaluation would tend to suggest that disturbance of archaeological resources in
the immediate area of the evaluation trenches would be unlikely in the event that the proposed development
were to take place.
However, this does may not hold true towards the east where archaeological resources may present under the
footprint of the building to be demolished.
The proposed development may impact upon unknown archaeological resources under the present building
which is proposed for demolition.
However, there is no reason arising from this evaluation to suggest that the archaeological resource has any
major significance.
It would be advisable to conduct a watching brief during any further ground disturbance.
16. ARCHIVE
The project archive will consist of all original records, and all documentation that relates to the evaluation.
Copies of the Design Brief and any relevant correspondence will be included.
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The original archive will be retained by A.P.A.C. ltd with a secondary copy deposited with Gwent Record
office.
The Archaeological Contractor will return all artefacts, ecofacts/samples to the client, their legal owner.
The archive will be prepared according to the Management of Archaeological Projects, English Heritage,
Second Edition, (1991) so the records will be fully ordered and indexed.
The archive will be deposited within twelve months of the completion of the evaluation and with the agreement
of the landowner.
A copy of the report will be lodged digitally with the Historic Environment Record, Scribd and the ADS.
17. COPYRIGHT
A.P.A.C. Ltd will retain full copyright of any reports and specialist reports, under the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act of 1988 with all rights reserved. A.P.A.C. Ltd hereby gives permission for the monitoring authority
to use any documentation directly relating to the project as described in the Project Design PD/EV/Asg/13
following a period of 12 months after the evaluation is completed.
The Project Team operated in accordance with the health and safety procedures as set out in:-
The Health and Safety Work Act (1974) and related legislation.
The Standing Conference of Archaeology Unit Managers Health and Safety Manual 2002).
The Council for British Archaeology Handbook no. 6, Safety in Archaeological Fieldwork (1989).
19. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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20. BIBLIOGRAPHY
A.P.A.C. Ltd DB/EV/ANC/12 Design Brief for an Archaeological Evaluation. Anchor Inn,
Tintern. 20th December 2012.
Cadw The Anchor Inn PH Including the Watergate. 24032 Grade II listing document
Graham Frecknell
Architecture & Design Existing. 1328.10 AL.0.001 Nov/12
Proposed Ground Floor Plan 1328.10 AL.P.101 Nov/12
Proposed Roof Plan 1328.10 AL.P.003 Nov/12
Institute of
Archaeologists. Standard and Guidance for an archaeological excavation. 2008.
Code of Conduct and the Code of Approved Practice for the regulation of
Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology. 2008.
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Trac
Tr1
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The Leytons
Sports Field
0 5 10 20
m
OS: 1902
OS: 1879-81
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1:25000
Fig 03a Fig 03b
OS: 1921
OS: 1972-73
1:25000
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102
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103 111
103 108
103 104 103
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schematic plan & section
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schematic plan & section
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Plate 01: Initial clearance at north end of trench, Plate 02: Initial clearance at north end of trench,
through access track deposit onto land drains through access track deposit onto land drains
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Plate 03:Detail of upper land drain. Coarse grain material with fluted outer surface
A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/ANC/12
Anchor Inn, Tintern
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Plate 04 Stratigraphic sequence of east wall 4
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Plate 05: Overview of trench showing post positions Plate 06: Overview
of trench showing A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/ANC/12
post positions
Anchor Inn, Tintern
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Plate 07: Stratigraphic sequence of south wall 7 Plate 08: Stratigraphic sequence of south wall 3
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Plate 11: Post 2 Plate 12: Post 2 2nd section detail
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Plate 13: Post 2 detail side Plate 14: Post 2 detail, cut top
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Plate 15: Post hole 3 western end of trench with post replaced (flash). Plate 16: Post 3 detail, side with bark. Silver birch
Mark made by digger bucket
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Plate 17: Post 3 detail, inside Plate 18: Post 3 detail, inside
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A.P.A.C. Ltd. Appendix I Context Sheet Index