Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A.P.A.C. Ltd.
Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy
REPORT
WB/MSF/15
By: Mr A. O. Phillips.
Summary
The work did not impact upon any archaeological resources but did confirm that
the area excavated, had already been extensively disturbed by earlier ground
works.
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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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
Contents
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Figures: ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Plates: .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Site Location and Description ......................................................................................................... 4
Brief archaeological and historical background .............................................................................. 4
Aims and Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 5
Watching Brief ................................................................................................................................ 6
Watching Brief Results ................................................................................................................... 6
Interpretation ................................................................................................................................... 7
Staff ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Archive: ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................ 7
Bibliography and References: ......................................................................................................... 8
Figures:
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
Plates:
Appendices
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
Introduction
This Watching Brief Report has been prepared by Mr Adam Phillips, A.P.A.C. Ltd, and details the results of a
watching brief undertaken at St Alban’s, 92 St Mellon’s Road, Marshfield CF3 2TX.
The property is situated at NGR: 325735 181764, fig 01, and therefore within the Newport Archaeologically
Sensitive Area of the Gwent levels; known to have produced evidence for medieval and post medieval settlement.
An initial planning proposal for: ‘two storey side and rear extensions, replacement of porch, creation of vehicular
access and parking area’ was approved without the need for archaeological intervention as the ground had been
extensively disturbed within the parameters of the proposed work, GGAT, A50811/CG.
The initial planning was then amended to include the installation of a ‘Vortex Sewage System’ which would involve
a greater extent of ground disturbance; therefore, Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust advised the council that
the work should now have an archaeological condition imposed.
The developer shall ensure that a suitably qualified archaeologist is present during the
undertaking of any ground disturbing works in the development area, so that an
archaeological watching brief can be conducted. The archaeological watching brief shall be
undertaken to the standards of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. The Local Planning
Authority shall be informed, in writing, at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the
development of the name of the said archaeologist and no work shall begin until the Local
Planning Authority has confirmed, in writing, that the proposed archaeologist is suitable. A
copy of the watching brief report shall be submitted to the local Planning Authority within two
months of the fieldwork being completed by the archaeologist.
A50811/JB
A Written Scheme of Investigation for the proposed archaeological work was duly submitted and approved in
writing before any work began, WSI: WB/MSF/15.
Marshfield is a small hamlet on the Gwent Levels, between Newport and Cardiff.
It can be reached from Junction 28 on the M4, taking the A48 towards Cardiff, turn left at Castleton and continue to
the cross-roads in Marshfield where a right turn along St Mellons Road leads to the site, fig 01.
The solid geology at the site is St Maughans Formation – Argillaceous rocks and (subequal/subordinate) sandstone,
interbedded. Sedimentary bedrock formed approximately 398 to 416 million years ago in the Devonian period.
Local environment previously dominated by rivers. (BGS). The site however has been largely disturbed by building
development in the area.
The site resides in the hamlet of Marshfield in the Vale of Glamorgan, and has geological features favourable to that
of early prehistoric and later settlements.
There is also known evidence of medieval settlements in the area; consider the nearby church of St Marys:
“Most notably St Mary’s church first noted in Parish Church, Early English
origins with various phases of C19 and C20 restoration. Said to have been
built in 1135 by the Countess Mabel, in memory of her father, Robert
Fitzhamon, Norman Lord of Glamorgan and Wentlooge.”
(British Listed Buildings)
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
A 500m diameter search centred on the proposed site was commissioned from the Historic Environment Record
(HER) held by GGAT; appendices I-II.
The search map, fig 02, shows the concentration of both Core and Event records around the site as provided by the
HER.
The HER search, 5188, revealed 2 Core records relating to medieval activity in the area:
03104G: Llanarthan Chapel, dedicated to St Arthan, was assigned to the parish of Marshfield by
Thomas Wakeman, but apparently without any information as to its location (Wakeman
MSS; OS card ST 28 SE 8). Not in Brook 1988. Possible antiquarian construct based on
the placename given as Llwyn Arthen on the tithe map at about ST244824 to the west of
Marshfield village; this has been corrected to Llanarthan on the 1st edn OS 6" map.
Without more extensive placename study, it is impossible to determine whether this has
any validity, and whether Wakeman had any independent source material for the
existence of a chapel. Edith Evans, GGAT 73 Early-Medieval Ecclesiastical Sites
Project, 2003-04 (Yr1 and 2)
The other core record mentions the excavation of a medieval ridge and furrow at Blacktown farm:
10990g: Area of ridge and furrow earthworks recorded during evaluation (E004669) and
subsequent watching brief (E004668) at Blacktown Farm. Report Foundations
Archaeology 2003 Land at Blacktown Farm, Marshfield, Newport: Archaeological
Evaluation 1319 203/02 Report Clarke, S. & Bray, J. 2003 Blacktown Farm,
Marshfield, Newport 1481 203/09.
The HER search also provided a list of 5 Events within the 500m search (Appendix II), but of specific interest are
those already mentioned above in Core listing 10990g:
E004668: During August and September 2003, Monmouth Archaeology undertook a programme
of archaeological investigation at Blacktown Farm, Marshfield, Newport, during
groundworks for the construction of two detached houses on the site. The watching brief
followed on from an earlier evaluation on the site (E004669). The shallow nature of the
excavations for the proposed development meant that a full examination of the
historical uses of the site was not possible. Traces of ridge and furrow earthworks
detected during the previous work on the site were visible during the watching brief, but
were too ephemeral to record in detail. Notable in the north east corner of the site was
an area of exposed natural with right angled sides that was undisturbed by the ridge
and furrow. A significant assemblage of unstratified 13th-14th century and post
medieval pottery was also recovered during the fieldwork (Clarke & Bray 2003).
Additional information was sought, with limited success, from map progressions of the area; figs 3a, b, c, and d.
The first series Ordnance Survey map shows a property to be in existence at the location as early as 1833, fig 3a
with subsequent mapping continuing the listing without much change; in configuration.
The first edition 1875 Ordnance Survey Map, Monmouthshire XXXIII clearly labelled the property as St Alban’s
cottage, fig 3b.
The aim of the watching brief was to preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological deposits
uncovered during groundwork.
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
The watching brief also ensured that: in the event of archaeological resources of significance, being discovered and
requiring treatment beyond the remit of the watching brief, that steps would be implemented to ensure that their
treatment would be undertaken within the standards recommended by the CIFA.
Watching Brief
The watching brief was undertaken on 11th January 2016, and 18th May 2016
The site had been cleared of all vegetation prior to excavation with the trenches marked out just before work began.
The weather on both days was a mixture of clear skies and brief showers however, not impacting upon the
excavation.
The ground level to the west of the building was raised above that of the east, possibly a former raised garden area.
Initial recording
A record of the features and stratigraphy exposed during excavation was kept including written notes and
photographs.
A limited number of finds were recovered from the surface and retained for post excavation processing.
Post Ex
Following the watching brief, the field notes and photographs were digitised to produce the context record of the
stratigraphy; Appendix III, and an annotated list of the photographs, Appendix IV.
The finds which were washed by hand, dried, identified, photographed and packed in sealed and ladled bags were
recorded in Appendix V.
The three appendices; III Context, IV Photographs and V finds were cross referenced ready for inclusion in the
report.
Presentation Notes:
All contexts are denoted [#] in the text, listed in Appendix III, cross referenced in Appendix IV, to the plates section.
Photographs used in the text are listed Pl # and a complete list of photographs can be found in appendix IV with
contact sheets.
Finds are listed {#}.
Work began at the site on the 11th January 2016, with the excavation of three, 500mm deep, drainage trenches for
the placement of maintenance pipes for the vortex system, fig 4, PL01.
Groundwork involved the removal of disturbed top soil [100]; which yielded a small assemblage of 18th/20th century
ceramics, before, exposing a layer of orange/pink sandy clay [104] which overlay a sandy red clay with angular
bedrock [105], PL02.
Trench 1 cut through a large diameter clay service pipe, [101] with barely discernible cut [102] and fill [103].
Finds assemblages {2} and {3} were retrieved from around the pipe disturbance and were roughly assigned to
context [104].
All three trenches reached the required depth without impacting on anything of significant archaeological
importance, PL03.
On the 18th May 2016, work resumed at the site as a 3m x 3m x 3m trench was machine excavated for the placement
of the vortex main system, PL04, fig 4.
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
A small assemblage of 18th/20th century finds {4} was retrieved from the surface before excavation began.
Removal of the first few layers, cut through [200] a layer of soil, brick, and stone, consistent with building debris,
PL05, from which small find {5} was collected.
200 overlay a subsoil [201] which in turn overlay a thick layer of grey clay, [202].
Beneath the grey clay was a thin lens of yellow sand stone [203] PL06.
At a level of 1200mm, the excavation cut through a thick layer of orange sandy soil and stone [204] which later
fried to an orange pink, PL07.
At a depth of 2000m a layer of sandy red clay with angular bed rock was encountered [205], PL08, eventually
giving way to a natural deposit of red sandy clay [206], PL09.
Small find [6] was collected from [206] but the find spot was not secure due to some collapse.
At the full depth of 3000mm a layer was found at the bottom of the trench. PL09.
The trench reached the required depth without impacting on anything of archaeological importance.
Finds
The site provided a small amount of finds ranging from 18th/20th century ceramics, all of which were returned to the
client.
Interpretation
The entire excavation was confined to a depth wherein no archaeological resources were disturbed.
The extent of deposit that was excavated would appear to be of recent redistributed land fill/levelling.
Staff
Archive:
The original archive for this project will remain with APAC Ltd and a copy deposited with Monmouthshire County
Archive
Copies of the report will be deposited with the client, GGAT HER, RCAHMW NMR & NCC Planning.
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to the groundwork’s contractors for their assistance and efficient handling of the excavations.
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A.P.A.C. St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield WB/MSF/15
CIfA . Code of Conduct and the Code of Approved Practice for the Regulation of
Contractual Arrangements in Field Archaeology 2014.
GGAT A50811/CG. Proposed two storey side and rear extensions, replacement of porch, creation of
vehicular access and parking area: St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Road, Marshfield.
PL.App.No:15/0767
A50811/JB. Proposed two storey side and rear extensions, replacement of porch,
creation of vehicular access and parking area: St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Road,
Marshfield. PL.App.No:15/0767
NA. (supplied by client) Ordnance Survey Block Plan centred on 328673 213179. www.mapcentre.com
SN:58795
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The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577)
St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
A.P.A.C. WB/MSF/15
Fig 01: Location
St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577)
Fig 02: HER search area 5188 A.P.A.C. WB/MSF/15
St Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577)
Fig 3a: First edition, ordinance survey map 1833. Vision of Britain Fig 3b: Monmouthshire XXXIII, surveyed 1875-1882,
published 1887, NLS
Fig 3c: Glamorgan XXXVIII.SW, Revised 1948, Published 1953 Fig 3d: Magic maps 2016
A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/MSF/16
NLS
St Albans, 92 St Mellons Rd Marshfield
steve_groucott@hotmail.com
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Fig 04b: Anotated plan showing locations of trenches 1,2,3 and 4. A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/MSF/16
St Alban;s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
DSC09169
DSC09170
PL01: Elevated view of trench area, surface water
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PL 03: Drainage trench 1,2 and 3 fully excavated to 500mm [100], PL 02: Drainage trench 1, at 500mm. [100], A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/MSF/16
stoneware pipe [101], cut [102], fill [103], [104], and [105] stoneware pipe [101], cut [102], fill [103], [104],
and [105] standing water
St Alban;s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
DSC09962
DSC09968
Plate 04: General Area of trench placement for sewage system, Plate 05: General, surface spoil [200] “vortex” sewage system
before disturbance in background
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DSC09970
Plate 06: Excavation of trench [200], [201], [202], [203] Plate 07: Excavation of trench at
A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/MSF/16
and [204] 1200mm [200], [201], [202],
[203] and [204]
ST Alban’s, 92 St Mellons Rd, Marshfield
DSC09978
Plate 08: Depth at 2000mm [200], [201], [202], [203], [204] and [205]
DSC09983
Plate 09: North and east walls of trench at finish depth 3000ml [200], [201], A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/MSF//16
[202], [203], [204], [205] and [206]
A.P.A.C. Ltd. Appendix I WB/MSF/15
Contractors:
FA Foundations Archaeology
GGAT Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust
MA Monmouth Archaeology
A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix III WB/MSH/16
Contexts
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix III FINDS WB/MSF/15
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000 1
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105 2
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105 3
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200 4
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202 5
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206 6