Dig Report 2 (Part 1)
Interim Report no. 2
The Glebe Field Dig no. SGF22
Credit: Alex Christofides Trenches 07,11&13 Plate 01
Author: David .W. Savage BA Honours Humanities with History (Open University) MA Archaeology (University of Bristol) Certificate Humanities (Open University)
Interim report no.2 collates investigative works relating to Trenches (TR) 07, 11 and 13.
Summary
Dig SGF22 commenced 26 April 2022 with the de-turfing of Trench 07 (TR07). This exposed the first definable structure of the SGF dig , what appear to be a mortar less stone wall structure 3mts. x 800mm x three courses deep, see plate 01. It is roughly 15degrees from a north south orientation; the wall has been completely robbed out to the south. Also an area under one square metre of cobbles found at the south end of the trench near what might possibly have been a doorway reveal in the wall structure. Approximately 1700 of mostly medieval potsherds were found. 40 to 50 Wrought iron possibly medieval finds including equestrian objects and a Romano British ‘Barbarous Radiate’ coin found at the south end of the trench.
Trench 11(TR11) was commenced 10 August. This 5mt x 2mt. trench going east to west intersected TR06 test pit dug during 2021 in the southeast corner. In this corner a stone lined pit approx. 2mts x 1mt. was discovered but eventually completely exposed by TR13. Large amount of redeposited rubble and soil contained 450 medieval potsherd 40 wrought iron artifacts. This overlaid a stone covered drain; its purpose is unclear but can be seen on plate 01 running east to west.
Trench 13 (TR13) was started on 29 September. This was to expose the stone lined pit shown on plate 01 at the west end of TR.11. Above most of the medieval pottery was found a heavily worn British Romano coin, a 340 AD Constantine II, which may be a contemporary forgery. Seven of the largest potsherds found in the Glebe Field to date measuring between 40 and 119 grams each were found in this pit and are currently believed to be mid to late medieval.
Contents Page
1.Summary 2
2. Introduction 4
3. Research questions 4
4. Results 5
5. Conclusions 24
7. 2023 Objectives 25
8. Acknowledgements 25
List of plates Page
1. Cover photograph Trenches (TR) 07,11&13 1
2. Vertical TR07 6
3. Vertical TR11Co.03&04 8
4. Vertical TR11co.04 to 11 8
5. Vertical TR13 10
6. Potsherd TR11Co.04 11
7. Potsherd “ “ “ 12
8. Potsherd TR07Co.06 13
9. Potsherd TR011 Co.04 14
10. “ “ “ “ 15
11. “ “ “ “ 16
12. Horseshoe fragment 17
13. Hole punch 18
14. Spur / Buckle? 19
15. Element of Staple and Hasp 19
16. Wrought iron key? 20
17.Hook Fastener 20
18. Romano British Coins 21
19.Bone pendant /toggle 21
20.Decorated bone 21
21. Knapped flints 22
22. Striated stone 23
23. Sandstone lid 23
List of Figures
1. Trench positions on resistivity survey 6
2. Section of stone lined pit 9
Introduction
Trenches 07,11 and 13, a total of 28sq.metres, formed the main dig area for 2022, which saw the group joining forces with Pip Osborne’s CAMP group to form a friendly and cooperative organised community dig for two weeks on these trenches. Also in an attempt to understand the site’s ceramic find, Aaron from ‘The Thornbury Museum Archaeology Group’ attended for 1 week bringing with him ceramic samples from their Lower Hazle site. These appeared to align with many of our possible Saxo Norman samples. We were lucky enough for Dr. Julie Dunn to carry out lipid analysis on potsherds from these trenches; the full report is posted on our website.
A big improvement in recording was the inclusion of drone photographic recording of the trenches, brilliantly provided by Alex Christofides. This included vertical, oblique and digitally reconstructed 3D models, some used in this report.
Research Questions
1. Are similar structures within the Glebe field as found in TR07, 11 and 13 were dug?
2. What is the relationship between these trenches and those previously dug in the Glebe Field?
3. How can the artifacts, particularly ceramics, help more precisely with dating the site’s occupation timeline?
Results
Trenches
TR07 Contexts and Stratigraphic layers
Note 1: The Glebe Field hasn’t been modern ‘deep’ ploughed.
Note 2: Stratigraphic layers are numbered ‘layer 1’ being the ‘ground level surface’ then ‘Layer 2’ below Layer 1 etc.
Note 3: Due to oxidisation all Munsell codes below are for guidance only. Soil samples have been taken for each context.
Note 4. Datum height above Sea Level at 76.58 mts..
Due to the extent of demolition rubble and stone, it has proven difficult to ascertain clear stratigraphy. However, similar to previous trenches in the Glebe Field four disturbed or redeposited layers seem to be clear with Layer 5 an undisturbed natural substrate clay layer. See Plate 02.
Layer 05 The natural substrate light sandy clay (10YR 5/4) was found at Datum (D) – 1,278 mts., .5metres south from the north extent of the trench below what appears to be a natural layer of limestone in context 14. Natural sandy clay (10YR 6/6) was also found in Context 12 at D-1.250metres. Context 10 located in the Southeast corner consisted of a sondage to locate the natural strata at D- 1,570mts. (10YR7/6).
Layer 04 100mm to 120mm consisting of redeposited clay and small to large stones with a few artefacts: Colour2.5Y 5/4 light olive brown. Context 09 and 13 come into to this stratification. However, Context 13 at D- appears to have rubble stone with a section of dry built wall retaining it, but very hastily built and at 90 degrees to the main wall.
Layer 3 Is slightly sandy heavy clay and stone with large amounts of potsherds, bone, a few stones subjected to heat and metal finds, mainly medieval; Colour 2.5Y 4/2 dark grey brown. At this level also a thin layer undisturbed but possible weathered in it natural bed limestone typically found in the Glebe. This was found in Context 11 at D-780mm. Slightly nearer the surface at an average of D- 700mm but within this stratification are Contexts 08,07, and 06. This demonstrates a similarity with SGF21 trenches as the main stratification for medieval or earlier finds. However, in context 6 there was a small area (approx.1sqMt), of very course cobbling .It is not clear if this is inside or out side of any possible structure at this time.
Layer 2 is 50mm to 100 mm of stone (possibly from demolition) and poorer quality clay/sandy loam. Few finds in this layer dating medieval or earlier but mainly 19th century waste included in field dressing, for example, clay pipe and pottery fragments; Colour 10Y3/1 very dark grey. Context 04 was in this layer covering the length and width of the trench.
TR 07 Figure 01
Plate 02 TR07 11&13
TR11
The stratigraphy is very similar to TR07. Context 09 is a curved drainage channel formed with two converging diagonal stones with a capping stone over. These all appear to be indigenous Glebe Field limestone at D- 1.390 Mts. (10YR 5/4). It is assumed this channel is built in natural light tan sandy clay but at the moment non-have been removed or a sondage along side been dug to confirm, see plate 01.
Context 08 2.3mts west to east 1mtx.600 was excavated to establish natural strata. At D- 1.220natural undisturbed limestone was found but only a thin layer. A further thin 40mm layer of light tan coloured sandy clay then further limestone bedrock under.
Contexts 10 and Context 03 over are located 2.8mts west to east x 1mt. south to north on the south side of the trench. Context 10 had interesting bone finds including three broken right side jawbones and a few medieval potsherds at D-1.130 (10 YR5/6) but due to poor weather condition natural was not definitively located. However, the south section had a redeposited light clay layer with gavel and a small amount of charcoal. Context 03 above Context 10 also had the same redeposit at D-.620mts. At this level the rubble including some building stone gives the impression of the remains of a robbed out wall.
Context06 see TR13 below.
Context 05 started in a similar stratigraphic layer to context 03 at D-540mm but on the north side of the trench. Natural substrate was located at D-1.300mts.. Numerous medieval and possibly earlier potsherds were found in this context. And worthy of note is a Saxon decorated bone fragment found at D-1.283mts.
See plate 03.
Context04 was in the South West corner of TR11. This came into the North side of Test Pit TR06 from Dig SGF21. Context 04 at D- .945 mts., uncovered the east corner of a drystone-lined pit. Thirteen courses of walling were found See TR13 below for further details of this feature. Within this context at the east end of the pit a Constantine II coin was found at D-1.173 mts.
Contexts 02 and 01 are as described in TR07 Stratigraphical Layers 01&02.
Credit: A. Christofides TR11 Context 03 and 04 Plate03
Credit: A. Christofides TR11 Contexts 4to 11 Plate 04
TR13
Trench 13 is in response to the stone lined pit discovered in the south west corner of TR11.
Context 06 (Trench 11, but forms part of the pit) the pit was emptied by sectioning roughly through its centre to access the re-deposited layers. The rectangular pit is approximately 1mt. x 2mt.s about 12 degrees from being oriented east to west. The stonework splays out towards the surface. The redeposited stratigraphic layers can be best understood by viewing Figure 01.
Section of stone lined pit stratigraphy Figure: 02
Context04 Bedrock was uncovered at D-1.715mts. However, at D-1.810mts some of the bedrock to the west of this bedrock plinth has been removed and stone cobbles roughly placed there to possibly form a firm base within the softer natural sandy clay (5YR 6/3). See also TR13/11 Context 06 overlap of trench information above.
Context05 was a layer of dark black- brown redeposited topsoil (10YR 2/1) with inclusions of medieval potsherds. On top of which at D- 1.567Mts to D- 1.142mts was a redeposited layer a lighter grey /brown sandy clay with rubble and some medieval pottery therein. Also fiddle key nails were found in this stratigraphical layer.
Credit: A. Christofides TR13 Plate 05
Context03 at D-1.120mts had a spread of reddened soil (2.5Y 4/4) either from an in situation field fire or remains from a fire elsewhere with a thickness of between 25mm to 40mm.
Context 02 and 01 are as described in TR07 Stratigraphical Layers 01&02.
Trench 07,11 & 13 Conclusion
The north section of the pit has collapsed inwards in the centre see Plate 05. This may have bee caused by past root growth, also the uppermost four courses show signs of lichen growth indicating they have been exposed to the element for sometime before being covered. Also these course splay outwards, this could be due to ploughing and not necessarily a built feature. The roughly build curving drain is near level so is difficult to ascertain where it was supposed to lead water. However, visually it does give the impression it was higher at its pit end.
The major feature of TR07 is 3mts x .800mt of wall structure foundation. The south end the wall has been robbed out with a scatter of good building stone in the south end of TR07.
Artifacts
This is not intended as a diagnostic analysis; it is a broad-brush summary including some of the more interesting finds.
Note: Trench and contexts i.e. TR07 Co.04 are given under photographs
Ceramics
Approximately 1500 potsherds were uncovered in the three trenches 07,11 and 13. They mainly appear to medieval, including with certainty Ham Green ware and other green glazed ware, which may include Laverstock ware. The sherds in trenches 07,11 and 13 do include some of the largest ceramic fragments found to date. These include the rim sherds below.
TR11 Co. 04 Plate: 06
Plate 06. Handmade, hard, extensive mica, partly reduced courseware.
TR11 Co.04: Plate 07
Plate: 07 Wheel made, hard, quartz and shell tempered, grey core, incised and with piecrust rim.
TR07 Co. 06 Plate: 08
Wheel made, v. hard, shell and hematite tempering, combing, heavily averted rim. Found on east side of the wall structure.
TR11 Co.04 Plate: 09
Wheel made, v. hard, shell, mica and quartz inclusions, and averted rim with triangulated apex.
TR11 Co.04 Plate: 10
Plate10 Stamp ware, hard, hand made, quartz, hematite and limestone inclusions, body.
TR11 Co.04 Plate: 11
Plate 11 Wheel made, teardrop rim, v. hard, extensive mica present on inner and outer surfaces; hematite and quartz inclusions; courseware.
Metals
As with trenches SGF21- O2 to 06, numerous ‘fiddle key’ nails have been found. These nails, for the fixing of horseshoes, have a timeline spanning either side of the Saxo-Norman period. Large to small Fragments of horseshoes have been found in these trenches, see plate11 below, plus a punch used for making holes in the horseshoes was uncovered. See Plate: 12 below. A possible buckle and side arm of a simple spur has also be found within metres. See plate: 13.
Plate 12
TR11 Co.05: Horseshoe fragment possibly Clark’s Type 1 or Type 3
TR07Co.07: Hole punch, sometimes called a drift Plate: 13
TR07 Co.06: Possible spur side and integral buckle Plate: 14
with pin and rivets in place
Plate 15
TR07 Co.06: Possible wrought iron ‘bolt keep’ or hasp and staple element.