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GLOUCESTER ARCHAEOLOGY UNIT ANNUAL REPORT 1996
Richard Sermon
INTRODUCTION
Fieldwork carried out by the Archaeology Unit in 1996 included one full excavation, a drawing survey, 6 evaluations and over 40 watching briefs. The pilot project for the Gloucester Urban Archaeological Database was successfully completed by Dr John Salvatore. This project is being funded by English Heritage and carried out jointly with Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Service. The database will be use in the planning process to assess the likely impact of new developments on the archaeology of the city.
Following the appointment of Amanda Wadsley the new Head of Museums and Cultural Services, a wide ranging review of Gloucester City Council's Museums Service was carried out. This has resulted in a number of changes within the archaeology unit. Malcolm Watkins (former Archaeology Director) has moved to the City Council's main offices to take up the position of Heritage Manager for the authority. Richard Sermon (former Archaeology Projects Manager) is now the Manager of the archaeology unit and responsible directly to Amanda Wadsley. Sue Byrne (former unit Finds Officer) is now the Archaeology Officer at the City Museum with responsibility for curating the archaeological collections. A new finds assistant for the archaeology unit will be appointed in 1997.
This year saw the retirement of Anthony Patrick Garrod (former Senior Excavations Officer) who has worked at the unit since the mid 1960's. Patrick not only pioneered minor sites and watching briefs in Gloucester, but also co-founded GADARG. His work included the publication of Garrod's Gloucester, rescue excavations at Gambier Parry Lodge and his annual reports in Glevensis. However, Patrick has not left the unit but simply changed offices, and is now carrying out voluntary work as our Senior Research Assistant.
We have also been joined by two new members of Staff. Dr Lisa Donel has been appointed as a new Projects Officer to work alongside Phil Greatorex. For the last ten years she has been a Field Officer/Manager with the City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit. Prior to that she directed the Quayside excavations in Newcastle, and has worked extensively throughout Britain and Ireland since 1972. Julie Lloyd, our new Administration Officer, will be responsible for the day to day running of the unit. Her previous experience includes a wide range of organisational and financial work.
For National Archaeology Day (14th September) a number of displays and activities were organised in the Wheatstone Hall. Members of staff were on hand to demonstrate various aspects of our work, including finds and pottery research, conservation and archaeological surveying. A stratigraphy game and finds quiz, both on computer, proved to be very popular with younger visitors.
In November a music exhibition was staged at the Folk Museum entitled Noises from the Folk. The project was inspired by music and dance items in the museum collections, and was put together by the myself along with Pat Roberts (Guildhall Arts Centre) and Debbie Newell (Museums Education Officer). Given the wide range of the subject it was decided to base the exhibition on two medieval bone whistles or Tabor Pipes in the archaeology collections (see separate article in this issue), and then to look more widely at whistles and drums in history and folk tradition. The exhibition included talks, performances, workshops and other activities.
We have continued to maintain strong links with local schools and GLOSCAT by taking work experience placements throughout the year. We are also grateful to the volunteers, mainly from U3A, who have helped with finds washing and processing.
EXCAVATIONS AND EVALUATIONS
With contributions by Phil Greatorex and Wayne Laughlin, authorship is denoted by the initials of the contributor.
Parliament Street/Old Tram Road (Site 6/96)
SO 8306 1818
An evaluation was carried out on open ground between the above roads in advance of an application for new housing. Two trenches were excavated by machine to a depth of 1.5m and then hand excavated to the natural ground surface. The natural sand and clay subsoil was sealed by a mixed layer of sandy loam containing exclusively Roman tile and pottery. This was cut by a total of seven features, including three ditches and three pits of probable Roman date. Running diagonally across the centre of the trench, and cutting one of the Roman pits, was a shallow irregular ditch measuring approximately 1.6m in width. The fill of this ditch contained Roman tile and pottery, but more surprisingly it also contained a quantity of Dark Age pottery (Gloucester Type Fabrics TF300 and TF301) and possible loom weight fragments. This activity was sealed by a uniform post-medieval soil layer which extends to a depth of approximately 1.45m below present ground surface. RS
Garth Tank, Gloucester Cathedral (Site 9/96)
SO 8309 1884
A full drawn survey (fig 2) of the medieval Garth Tank was carried out in advance of this stone tank being backfilled with gravel, to protect it from frost damage. WL
Guildhall, Eastgate Street (Site 11/96)
SO 8325 1848
Access improvements within the Guildhall Arts Centre lobby necessitated the excavation of a lift foundation pit within the basement area. The pit was hand excavated, by Gloucester Archaeology Unit, to the natural ground surface. The depth of the basement has removed all structural occupation evidence from the colonia period and the limited size of the excavation (2.4m by 2.2m) hindered the identification of any earlier, military, structures. Observations were confined to the base of two late Roman pits cutting into a uniform clayey loam layer directly overlying natural. PG
Hucclecote Resource Centre (Site 12/96)
SO 877 175
The site is located approximately 4.5km east of Gloucester city centre at National Grid Reference SO 877 175 and is bounded by Churchdown Lane to the west, the A417 to the north and the M5 to the east. The southern boundary of the investigated area is largely occupied by the Hucclecote Resource Centre and its associated car parking. The western section of the site is known to be occupied by a 2nd-5th century Roman villa constructed over the remains of a Bronze Age farmstead (Scheduled Ancient Monument 188) demonstrating a remarkable continuity of occupation in the area. These structures were initially recorded, by partial excavation, in 1910 and more extensively in 1933. Since that date local topographical changes resulted in the exact position of the villa being temporarily lost. An attempt was made to verify the location by an AML Geophysics team in 1988 (Site 135/88) though the results were inconclusive.
With the exception of these investigations all subsequent work has been specifically targeted on the areas likely to be disturbed by development. The area to the south of the current site was extensively investigated by Gloucester Archaeology Unit in 1988 prior to the construction of housing. This work was continued in 1989 to include the north and eastern boundaries of the present site. On both occasions the archaeological features recorded consisted of field boundaries and short sections of metalled trackway. In 1991 the north-eastern corner of the site was partially excavated, by Gloucestershire County Council Archaeological Service, prior to the construction of the M5 link road. Again the features appear to be wholly field boundaries.
The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the extent of surviving archaeological remains, in a previously unexamined area, prior to planning permission for the construction of a new rugby clubhouse being granted. As on previous occasions this evaluation has also been targeted on the area of proposed development. A geophysical survey, of the areas likely to involve ground disturbance, was carried out by Geophysical Surveys of Bradford using both magnetometery and resistivity techniques. The plan derived from the geophysical data is generally self explanatory in terms of the type of features that may be present within the development area (Fig 3). The villa plan is clearly outlined to the west with the intercutting series of ditched field boundaries, following broadly the same alignment, to the east and south. All trenches were initially machine cleared of topsoil and later ploughsoil and then excavated by hand to the depth of the natural ground surface. Features discovered during the excavation process were sampled, by removing sections of fill only, to minimise unnecessary disturbance.
Initial interpretation of the obvious circular feature, on the eastern edge of the survey grid, suggested the presence of an Iron Age round house. This, however, has proven not to be the case. Trenching in this area identified the main element as a shallow, late Roman, ditch with none of the associated structural elements essential to round house construction. Tentatively the feature is now thought to represent the corner of a field system extending eastwards beyond the survey area. The remaining archaeological features, both here and in the clubhouse and roadway areas, are solely field boundary ditches characteristic of intensive, prolonged, agricultural use. When added to the results of previous work, carried out by both this unit and Gloucestershire County Council Archaeology Service, the changing pattern of agricultural practice on the site is beginning to emerge. It is now obvious that the site underwent a number of radical boundary changes within a relatively short period, though further work will be required to determine the exact sequence and development. The identification of the stratigraphic sequence is complicated by the fact that the upper fills of the ditch systems throughout the site were affected by later ploughing. PG
Waterwells Farm, Quedgeley (Site 13/96)
SO 815 128
An extensive spread of trial trenches, geophysical surveying and test pits has been carried out on the above site with largely negative results. Evidence of site occupation prior to the 18th century is confined to the eastern limits of the investigated area and consists of a single north-south boundary ditch dating to the 2nd or 3rd century. The remaining archaeology is confined to the late post-medieval period and consists of recently abandoned boundary ditches and a cart track following the southern bank of Dimore Brook. No evidence of core settlement can be demonstrated. PG
Spread Eagle Road/Market Parade (Site 14/96)
SO 8347 1868
An evaluation was carried out on land between the above roads in advance of the construction of a bus link road. Three test pits, each measuring about 1.5m square, were excavated by machine until significant archaeological deposits were located. From this point on excavation continued by hand to a maximum depth of 1m. Below modern disturbance and 19th century deposits was a 1m deep layer of dark loam layer containing medieval and Roman pottery, which also filled a small pit. The pit cut a layer of compact olive green clay loam containing Roman pottery, tile and wall plaster. Also found were a first century copper alloy brooch (Hod Hill type 61) and a shale spindle whorl. RS
Olympus Park, Quedgeley (Site 15/96)
SO 8122 1465
With its proximity to the known Roman villa/farmstead, and apparent temple (site 48/94), the site was expected to produce evidence of associated field systems and to define the southern limit of occupation. The southern limit of the occupation centre now appears to effectively lie at the boundary between this and the previous site (48/94) and does not significantly extend into this area. Evidence of field systems, in the form of ditched boundaries, is confined to the northern limits of the investigated area, with the largest east-west ditch assumed to represent the settlement boundary. South of this line the only occupation evidence was a short stretch of Roman metalled roadway running approximately due south towards the eastern site boundary. Geophysical survey and trial excavation in the remainder of the evaluation area failed to identify any further significant archaeological remains. PG
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (Site 19/96)
SO 842 187
Extensive trenching throughout the hospital site showed no evidence of occupation prior to the 18th century due to deep cultivation associated with the adjoining Horton road hospital to the east. PG
WATCHING BRIEFS (Anthony P Garrod)
TV Cable, Estcourt Road, Kingsholm (Site 9/95)
SO 8380 1970
January 1997
Observations made in trenching along north side cycle-track way, 600mm deep.
Geological
Truncated lengths of Alluvial brown sandy loam were recorded from 500m deep.
19th-20th Century
Dark loam fills within large 19th century sand and gravel workings extending beneath Estcourt Road, were recorded between No 17 to junction with Tewkesbury Road.
RAF Quedgeley, Elmore Lane (Site 34/95)
SO 8070 1490
May 1996 to February 1997
Observations made during machining of site roads and foundation trenches, 1m deep.
Geological
Occasional lenses and pockets of Jurassic sandy gravel and clay sites overlay the Lias clay base. Derivative (Bunter) pebbles largely within a plough reduced clayey loam level, post dates the deposition of the above post glacial Jurassic sand and gravel
deposits.
18th-19th Century
The locations of former farm field ditches and pond were noted.
Lobley's Farm, Abbeymead (Sites 29/95, 30/95, 77/95, 79/95)
SO 8690 1650, SO 8666 1676, SO 8660 1630,
SO 8648 1657
January 1996 to February 1997
Continued daily observation of respective and on-going housing developments, within former Lobley's Farm land.
Geological
Alluvial brown clay overlay spreads, pockets and lenses of Jurassic limestone sand and gravel deposits, above Lias clay base.
Medieval
Ridge and furrow respected 19th-20th century field ditch alignments. Pond locations were observed.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for late Iron Age/Roman farmstead (see sites 6/86, 14/86 and 79/95).
Coneyhill Hospital Site, Abbeymead (Site 78/95)
SO 8620 1695
January 1996 to January 1997
Continued daily observation of respective on-going housing developments and balancing pond excavation on former hospital farm land.
Geological
Alluvial brown clay overlay spreads, pockets and lenses of Jurassic limestone sand and gravel, above lias clay base. The gravel deposits thin away from east to midwest side of the development area.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
19th-20th century night manuring areas contained by respective field ditch alignments and related features were observed. Site evaluated in 1990 (see site 26/90).
The Briars, Quedgeley (Site 80/95)
SO 8080 1470
February 1996 to November 1996
Observations made during final stages of developments.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
For details see previous annual report.
Green Farm, Quedgeley (Site 81/95)
SO 8090 1528, SO 8106 1513
February 1996 to February 1997
Observations made during housing development.
19th-20th Century
Former ditch alignments and pond adjacent to the demolished Green Farm farmhouse were noted. Observations continuing.
Severn Trent Water, Kingsholm (Site 2/96)
June to July 1996
Observations made in a series of boxes dug along respective carriageways, average 1m deep.
Box rear of 11b to 33 Kingsholm Road
SO 8347 1946
Successive metalled surfaces and make-up levels, overlay 19th century raised ground level, approximately 1.34m above Edwy Parade carriageway. Negative evidence for Roman colonia suburb street alignment.
Box outside 11a Kingsholm Road
SO 8349 1939
The upper west side shoulder of the sunken medieval and post-medieval Kingsholm Road alignment, cut truncated natural sand and gravel levels at 600mm deep. Located 1.1m forward of 11a.
Box rear of 11a Kingsholm Road
SO 8347 1939
Natural sandy gravel levels were recorded at 500mm deep. Negative evidence for area south of the Claudio-Neronian Kingsholm fortress defences circuit.
11 Boxes between 4 to 24 Edwy Parade
SO 8339 1942
An upper 19th century loam fill within undefined linear feature, was recorded from 500mm deep, below successive metalled surfaces and street make-up levels. Possible alignment for the inner Kingsholm Roman fortress southern defences ditch, also the later Kings Ditch for both the royal Saxon palace and Kingsholm medieval manor also boundary ditch of post-medieval Kingsholm Close.
Box outside 24 Kingsholm Square
SO 8339 1943
The eroded north side shoulder of the above ancient multi-cut ditch alignment, was recorded at 4.20m from the carriage-way junction with Edwy Parade.
Box outside 23 Kingsholm Square
SO 8339 1943
Charcoal saturated occupation on pink estuarine clay floor level was recorded above the Layer Above Natural, at 620mm deep. Possible location of a military building within the Kingsholm Claudio-Neronian fortress.
Box outside 15 Kingsholm Square
SO 8338 1951
The edge of a opus signinium floor/surface, on a brown-buff mortar make-up, was recorded at 700mm deep, above Lias stone sill. Possible Roman colonia suburb building or mausoleum, extending east beneath front garden area of Kingsholm House.
70 Oxstalls Drive, Longlevens (Site 3/96)
SO 8444 2006
March 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for extended front porch, 1m deep.
Geological
Alluvial buff loam overlay Jurassic sandy gravel deposits.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Sainsburys, Barnett way, Barnwood (Site 4/96)
SO 8627 1857
March 1996
Observations made in ground beam trenches for west side extension to main building, 1m deep.
Geological
Alluvial loam overlay Jurassic sand and gravel deposits.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Birds Eye Walls, Barnwood (Site 5/96)
SO 8615 1898
March 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for new Bay E building, 1m deep, also stripping of top soil from 0.6 ha area for marshalling yard. Average 260mm deep.
Geological
Alluvial brown loam, containing lenses and pockets of Jurassic sand silt, overlay a lias clay base.
Medieval
Shallow north-south ridge and furrow plough land was recorded across the site area. The furrows contained quantities of domestic rubbish including late 18th-19th century potsherds, china and glass bottle fragments.
127 Hucclecote Road, Hucclecote (Site 7/1996)
SO 8754 1729
April 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for east side extension, 1.3m deep.
Geological
Clayey deposits of Jurassic sand and gravel were recorded below Layer Above Natural at 480mm deep.
19th Century Sand and Gravel Workings
A back fill of buff mottled grey charcoal flecked loam, containing occasional pieces of late 18th to 19th century glazed pottery and china wares was recorded beneath the front garden area to 1.38m deep.
Rectory Road, Matson (Site 16/96)
SO 8507 1571
September to October 1996
Prior to the developers implementation of the required watching brief, the site was levelled to depths of between 700mm and 1m deep, leaving only the lower profiles of features cut into the reduced natural. Observations made in foundation trenches for two blocks of four houses, average 800mm deep.
Geological
A sloping deposit of Lias silty clay was partly overlain by subsequent deposit of fine buff silty clay, cut by a post glacial flash water stream bed.
Possible 1st Century Roman Farmstead Site
A linear ditch estimated 1.5m wide with U shape profile and cleaning slot in the military tradition extended across the site, interrupted by a 5m wide gap. Interpreted here as an entrance way into a 1st century farmstead enclosure. Part of a possible evesdrip ditch or soakaway was recorded within the enclosure area. The above features contained numerous sherds of native type jars and rolled rim storage vessels, Severn Valley wares and grey rusticated jars (for similar 1st century pottery, see site 79/95). Provisionally dated Flavian to late 1st century possibly 2nd century. Saturations of charcoal, burnt clay, bones and local stones within the above features indicate their close proximity to a central occupation area.
Possible 2nd to 4th Century Matson Roman Villa
A continuous parallel linear ditch alignment, estimated 2m wide, with U shape profile and cleaning slot also extended across the site. The truncated fill contain only occasional sherds of later Severn Valley ware, Oxfordshire colour coated ware and cattle bone. The sparsity of inclusions and finds indicate the centre of occupation had moved, probably to a more elevated location beneath the adjacent Selwyn School ground, formerly Matson Manor.
Possible Dark Age Farmstead Track-Way
Two parallel 1m wide ditches with irregular U shape profiles, 2m apart, extended into the site area, largely machined away from beneath the above school grounds. The fill contained numerous small local limestones, possibly from disturbed track-way metalling, also sherds of sub-Roman TF300 pottery loosely dated 5th to early 7th century.
124-126 London Road, Wotton (Site 17/96)
SO 8440 1894
October 1996
Observations made in realignment of existing sewer, 3m deep.
Geological
Jurassic sand and gravel deposits were recorded above lias clay at 2.2m deep. Woolly Rhinoceros bones were recorded at a depth of 1.9m. The Wotton hillock S4 gravel cap is dated to 80,000 BP.
The Wotton Roman Burial Ground
Evidence of four inhumation burial, including a baby of less than 1 year and a child approximately 8 to 10 years old, were recorded in trench sections. Iron nails found in situ indicate burial within wooden coffins. Individual burials were aligned north-south or east-west.
19th-20th century
A stiff brown charcoal flecked plough or horticulture soil was overlain by garden loam levels.
Negative archaeological evidence-
for medieval St Mary Magdalen Hospital.
36 Westgate Street (Site 18/96)
SO 8309 1875
September 1996
Renovation of former Hodges outfitters shop. Observations made in builders trench within floor of front cellar, 500mm deep.
Possible Sub-Roman Building Level
Undated remains of a raised clay hearth or oven also shallow sunken feature with ash-charcoal fill, were recorded at 2.2m below Westgate Street pavement level. The features overlay a gritty greenish loam layer saturated with fragmented Roman wall plaster and mortar with occasional small pieces of red sandstone tile. A contemporary post hole 160mm diameter was located 500mm south of the hearth. Similar sub-Roman silt/loam levels and surfaces within a large colonia public building were located at 30 Westgate Street (Site 57/77).
Medieval
A subsequent cellar truncated the silt/loam layer and overlay the hearth features. This was cut by a later post hole containing a sherd of 13th century pottery.
Gloucester RFC, Kingsholm Road (Site 20/96)
SO 8341 1932
January 1997
Observations made in foundation trenches for rebuild of toilet block to rear of north stand, 1m deep.
19th century
A loose sandy gravel spread, capping dark loam fill of a possible 19th century gravel workings, were recorded at 450mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Longford Inn, Longford (Site 21/96)
SO 8350 2030
May 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for west end extension to holiday hotel block 1.15m deep.
Geological
Jurassic sand and gravel levels were recorded from 1m deep.
19th century
A small sand and gravel pit with loam backfill containing 80mm bricks and Welsh roof slate fragments, was recorded beneath subsequent plough soil level.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
1- 39 Deansway, Kingsholm (Site 22/96)
SO 8325 1926
November 1996 to January 1997
Observations made in new foundation and service trenches on site of demolished council houses, 1.25m deep.
19th-20th century
19th century tip levels above former meadow land bounding Old Severn, was exposed in respective trenches. A photographic record was made of the River Twyver brick culvert beneath Deans Way.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
34 Gambier Parry Gardens (Site 23/96)
SO 8382 1888
November 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for east side extension. 1.35m deep.
Geological
Truncated Jurassic sand and gravel deposits were recorded from 1m deep.
Undated Gravel Workings
The above foundation trenches cut a large undefined and undated feature, possibly a shallow sand and gravel pit, backfilled with brown gravely loam (see site 9/93).
31 Chosen Way, Hucclecote (Site 24/96)
SO 8698 1838
July 1996
Observations made in foundation trench for rear extension, 600mm deep.
Geological
Alluvial buff clayey loam was recorded beneath former plough soil level, at 520mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Vinylex, Olympus Park, Quedgeley (Site 25/96)
SO 8122 1465
November 1996 to January 1997
Casual observations made during mechanical stripping 0.25 ha of top soil also foundations for new warehouse 1.35m deep.
Geological
Alluvial loam containing derivative (Bunter) pebbles overlay stiff buff silty clay above Jurassic sand and gravel terrace.
Prehistoric
One flint scraping tool was found on the upper alluvial level.
Roman
Evidence for a double ditched road or track-way, extending south-south east across the north east area of the development was exposed in the machining. Previously recorded on the adjacent Roman villa (Site 48/94). Part lengths of two parallel east-west Roman ditch alignments, bounding the south side of the above villa complex, was also exposed. Previously recorded in the now partly abandoned site access road alignment (Site 45/1995).
49 Brooklands Park, Longlevens (Site 26/96)
SO 8569 2007
January 1997
17th century (Civil War)
A falconet iron cannon ball 2 inches in diameter was dug up in the above garden. The owner also knew of a similar cannon ball, previously found in a garden on the Cheltenham Road, at Longlevens. The site of a Civil War period forge is reputed to lie within the grounds of the Double Gloucester Inn, Cheltenham Road.
72 Tuffley Crescent, Tuffley (Site 29/97)
SO 8248 1629
November 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for rear-side extension, 1.25m deep.
Geological
A truncated Lias clay level was recorded at 940mm deep.
19th-20th century
A shallow pit feature backfilled with mortary tips and boiler house type cinders, capped with redeposited Lias clay, extended throughout the trenched area.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
25 Cheltenham Road, Longlevens (Site 30/97)
SO 8488 1928
February 1997
Observations made in foundation trenches for small rear extension, 1m deep.
Geological
Jurassic sand and gravel deposits were recorded from 600mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Macdonalds, Northbrook Road (Site 32/97)
SO 8524 1820
August 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches 1.25m deep.
Geological
Buff alluvial loam overlay Lias clay base at 700mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
7 Cecil Road, Linden (Site 33/97)
SO 8249 1706
January 1997
Observations made in foundation trenches for rear extension, 1m deep.
Geological
Alluvial clayey loam overlay Lias Clay base, at 900mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Severn Trent Water, Hucclecote (Site 34/97)
SO 8750 1764
August to October 1996
Observations made in trenching along Dinglewell, Kingscroft Rd, Lynmouth Rd, Lynton Rd and Trevor Rd, average 1m deep.
Geological
Downward sloping alluvial loam on Lias clay base beneath the above roads, is bounded by Jurassic sand and gravel deposits around respective lower junctions with Dinglewell and Kingscroft Road.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for Trevor Road Roman villa site.
Maple Court, Cheltenham Road (Site 35/97)
SO 8614 1984
December 1996 to February 1997
Casual observations made in foundation trenches, on former filling station site, 1m deep.
Geological
Alluvial loam overlay Lias clay base at 600mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
6 Upton Lane, Abbeymead (Site 36/97)
SO 8624 1655
September 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for front side conservatory 500mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Existing garden loam overlay former plough soil level.
28 Brookfield Road, Hucclecote (Site 37/97)
SO 8668 1755
July 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for rear extension, 1m deep.
Geological
Former plough soil level overlay truncated brown clayey alluvial at 600mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
28 Deans Walk, Kingsholm (Site 38/97)
SO 8326 1921
July 1996
Observations made in under pinning trenches for rear wall of above 1930's house, 1.2m deep.
19th century Building
Part of possible cellar wall or footing, constructed of 70mm brick work, was recorded beneath the modern house foundation.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for medieval St Thomas Chapel site.
13 Grove Crescent, Barnwood (Site 39/97)
SO 8547 1818
August 1996
Observations made in trenching for rear extension, 1m deep.
Geological
Jurassic sand and gravel deposits overlay Lias clay base at 800mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Methodist Chapel, Quedgeley (Site 40/97)
SO 8055 1275
November 1996 to February 1997
Observations made in foundation trenches for new houses at north end of development area, 1.1m deep.
Geological
Former plough soil level overlay stiff sandy clay deposits at 260mm deep. Rising level of Lias clay recorded at 600mm deep in area to the south.
Negative Archaeological Evidence
Worcester Street (Site 41/97)
SO 8337 1883
July 1996
Observations made in service trench within carriage way, outside.
No 23, 1.45m deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for late medieval and post-medieval street alignment beneath Worcester Street.
London Road, Wooton (Site 42/97)
SO 8446 1893
August 1996
Observations made in service trench within carriageway outside 140 Wotton Rise, 1m deep.
Geological
Truncated alluvial loam on the cap of the Wotton hillock was recorded at 650mm deep.
Post-Medieval
A primary silted metalled surface made of imported beach pebbles, 14 to 180mm long, bounded an undefined mortared Lias stone footing or feature. Located 3m out and parallel with modern Curb line.
19th-20th Century
Subsequent compacted crushed limestone make-up levels, associated with former tram rail was sealed by modern macadam road surface.
Negative Archaeological Evidence -
for Roman Ermin Street alignment.
Double Gloucester Inn, Longlevens (Site 43/97)
SO 8518 1924
February 1997
Observations made in foundation trenches for rear extension, 1m deep.
Geological
Alluvial loam overlay Jurassic sandy gravel terrace at 800mm deep.
Undated Feature
North-south linear ditch feature 1.2m wide and pit feature 1m wide, containing brick fragment, cut natural from below existing garden loam level.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for site of Civil War Period Forge.
43 Deans Way, Kingsholm (Site 44/97)
SO 8320 1920
May 1996
Observations made in foundation trenches for rebuild of rear kitchen extension 2m deep.
Buried 18th-19th century Meadow Land
Estuarine clay-silt levels of former river meadow land bounding course of Old Severn, was recorded at 1.7m deep, below 19th century tip levels.
Cole Avenue Roundabout (Site 45/97)
SO 8132 1526
July to December 1996
Casual observations made in trenching during removal of roundabout to form respective traffic controlled road junctions layout.
Geological
Alluvial loam overlay Lias clay base. The existing course of Daniels Brook is located to the north side of the above roundabout.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for lost or buried course or leg of Daniels Brook, adjacent to south side of the above roundabout. Linear stumps of vertical timbers in wet clayey silt were exposed during excavation for sunken water garden area for the Orchard Beefeater Restaurant, on land adjacent to south side of the above roundabout.
Bijou Court, Kingsholm Road (Site 46/97)
SO 8352 1995
July to August 1996
Observations made in service trench along length of existing access road, from junction with Kingsholm Road, 1m deep.
Geological
Truncated alluvial loam above Jurassic sand and gravel deposits, was recorded at 500mm deep.
Roman
Relevant stratigraphy above Layer Above Natural had previously been machined away.
Medieval
A shallow undated sloping feature with dark greenish silty loam fill, extended 9m towards the Kingsholm Road alignment where it was cut by post-medieval sunken road levels.
19th century
The western edge of sand and gravel workings was recorded 10m in from the Kingsholm Road curb alignment. The workings extended east towards the above property boundary with the Civil Service Sports Grounds. The large sunken area of the Civil Service Sports Ground was previously the site of extensive 18th-19th century gravel workings, destroying former medieval Pedmarsh Field ground level, including the defences alignment and extra mural sites on east side of Kingsholm Claudio-Neronian fortress.
Waggon & Horses, Hucclecote Road (Site 47/97)
SO 8765 1798
September 1996
Casual observations made in foundation trenches for Play Barn and Dinning area extensions.
Geological
Truncated alluvial loam overlay Jurassic sand and gravel deposits.
Inconclusive Archaeological Evidence-
for possible Roman and medieval features adjacent to Roman Ermin Street alignment.
32 The Orchards, Hucclecote (Site 48/97)
SO 8730 1675
January 1997
Observations made in rear end extension 1m deep.
Geological
Jurassic fine silty sand deposits were recorded from 400mm deep.
Negative Archaeological Evidence-
for land adjacent to site of Old Green Farm.
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