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103: Land at Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Monmouthshire. Archaeological Evaluation
103: Land at Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Monmouthshire. Archaeological Evaluation
103: Land at Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Monmouthshire. Archaeological Evaluation
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION
EV/Asg/13
PREPARED BY DR N PHILLIPS
21ST JUNE 2013
A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/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.
In general the site has little soil cover above bedrock in the central and eastern
area, whereas the western side has been subject to recent landfill.
A small amount of 19th / 20th c., ceramic finds were collected but the majority
comprising plastic waste was not.
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. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
CONTENTS
Page
1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4
7. METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................................ 6
8. SURVEY....................................................................................................................................................... 6
9. DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH.................................................................................................................. 7
12. INTERPRETATION..................................................................................................................................... 8
13. CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................................................................... 8
16. ARCHIVE..................................................................................................................................................... 9
17. COPYRIGHT................................................................................................................................................ 9
19. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................................. 9
20. BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................................... 10
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
FIGURES
01 Location Plan
02 Trenches
03 Map progressions
04 Trench 2, Plan
PLATES
APPENDICES
I Context list
II Complete list of photographs
III Complete list finds
IV Contact Sheet of complete photographs
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
1. INTRODUCTION
Dr N Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd, was contacted in early June 2013 by the clients MR & Mrs Hudd, in relation to
proposed work to be undertaken on land belonging to them; SW of Carn-Y-Tyla, Terrace, Abertysswg.
The proposed development was for the construction three new build, detached dwellings, with parking and
access.
The clients; having submitted an outline planning application to Monmouthshire County Council; (pl.app.no
DC/13/0157/OUT), were advised that there was a ‘possible archaeological issue for this planning application’
therefore ‘the proposal had an archaeological restraint’.
In the light of this GGAT reminded the planning department at Monmouthshire County Council of Planning
Policy Wales 4th edition 2011 Section 6.5.1:
Where research indicates that important archaeological remains exist, the planning
authority should request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field
evaluation to be carried out before any decision on the planning application is taken.
(ibid).
They advised that determination of the planning application should be deferred until an archaeological
evaluation had been undertaken at the site.
The client was also advised of this and contacted Dr N Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd to undertake the work.
The site lies to the south west of the Carn-Y-Tyla Road, Abertysswg and adjacent to the electricity station. The
exact position is shown in the 2004 satellite image from Google Earth, Plate 01.
The parcel of land to be investigated is enclosed on by a barbed wire fence north east, north west and south west
with open ground to the south. The east is bounded by the security fence of the electricity site.
The ground has a general N/S gradient drop of 1:10.4, fig 02. To the north is a 0.9m embankment which rises at
1:2.9 whilst in the south west corner the slope swings west, increasing to a gradient of 1:6.
The position of the site to the road is of interest in that it is the only feature that is out of alignment and therefore
indicative of its earlier layout. Plate 02, a 1945 aerial photograph emphasises the point showing the site prior to
the development of housing across the road.
The 2004 satellite image shows that the site was undergoing disturbance at the time, which, according to the
client, resulted from deposition of material from adjacent building works, (pers comm. Mr Hudd).
The results of this deposition were still evident at the time of the evaluation especially around the western and
northern edges where there were banks of rubble stone.
At the north west corner was a stretch of well shaped blocks making a drystone wall, Plate 03.
At the south west corner were the remains of a mortared corner wall. Plate 04.
There were also a less well defined remnants of drystone wall across the west and north sides which relate to the
old enclosure boundary.
The satellite image Plate 01, also shows two sheds present in 2004 of which at the time of the evaluation no
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
evidence remained.
The field evaluation consisted of three trenches 10m x 2m, as shown in fig 02. The trenches differ from those
proposed in design brief as can be seen in the diagram.
The reason for the re-alignment was the nature of the ground in the areas proposed:
The original trench 1 to the north west, was in an area with a great deal of loose stone over very shallow soil
with exposed bedrock. Trench 1 was repositioned to the south west of the site to evaluate the edge of the existing
wall and the 1878, Ordnance Survey wall position Fig 03.
Trench 2 remained in approximately the same position, again to evaluate structures recorded on the 1878,
Ordnance Survey Map.
Trench 3 was positioned around 3 m to the left of the proposed position. This time the reason was due to a lack
of any appreciable soil in the area. Possibly a result of levelling carried out with the 2004 work mentioned
above.
The Rhymney Valley in which the site lies was very sparsely populated up until the early 19th century when the
coal and iron industries of the industrial times changed dramatically the South Wales region. Such changes
included the rail and road links between coal mines and ports; housing and works buildings for the various
industries.
The closest village, Abertysswg, probably arose in the last decade of the 19th century to service the Mclaren
Colliery, Abertyswwg, the first shaft of which was sunk in 1895, (www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/).
There is a paucity of known archaeological resources in the immediate area of the site.
The first record of the site, as noted by GGAT, CAE0293/JBHD is an isolated rectangular enclosure called Carn-
Y-Telorau, fig 03a. It has to be said however that it is difficult to establish that this is the same site with any
degree of certainty.
The 1878 Ordnance Survey Map 1:25000, Fig 03b, is much more definitive and shows a rectangular enclosed
area, Carn-tyle, containing a series of internal divisions, probable buildings, on the east and west and a
curvilinear, north east division. The buildings would appear to be similar to those still standing in 1945, Plate 02.
Also shown is a railway to the south and a path leading from the south east corner of the site to a roadway to the
north.
The general layout of the area has not changed by the 2nd edition map of 1900-01, fig 03c, other than the
inclusion of detail division of the noted buildings and a change to the roadway junction.
The following 18 years saw the present road being built close to the site and the former roadway abandoned. The
1919 map, fig 03d also shows that some of the internal structures along the west side had been removed.
With the exception of the building of the adjacent electricity station to the east, there was no further change to
the site up to 1973 fig 03e.
As was noted above, Plate 01, the buildings had been removed by 2004, replaced by two small sheds.
The proposed development is within an enclosed area recorded on 1878 ordnance survey mapping, and possibly
earlier 1833 mapping, as having the same footprint as the current site. The enclosed area is recorded as having
had internal structures and therefore possible archaeological resources; which if present, may be impacted upon
by any development.
In accordance with the approved project design DB/EV/Asg/13, the aim was to:
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
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 Judith Doyle GGAT.
Three trenches, 10m x 2m, were excavated within the designated parcel of land; fig 02.
Trenches 2 & 3 were excavated to the archaeological horizon or natural by mechanical digger and then cleared
manually.
Trench 1 was excavated to a depth of 1.4m into a deposition fill of loose modern rubble and landfill. The nature
of the fill made the trench edges unstable and for health and safety reasons it was abandoned.
The evaluation trenching allowed for the character, distribution, extent and importance of at least the minimum
number of archaeological features to be understood.
A topographical survey was undertaken of the trenches to locate them within the boundary of the property
thereby allowing for 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
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.
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.
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9. DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH
Research undertaken to complete the background history of the site was completed from the following sources:
10. RESULTS
Trench 1 was excavated to a depth of 1.4m at which point the instability of the ground made it unsafe to
continue. Plate 04 shows some detail of the ground into which the trench was excavated with Plate 05 showing
the full trench at 1m depth.
A further example of the abandoned trench is shown in Plate 06 at a depth of 1.4m in the south east corner:
The simple sequence of the trench was from the top a layer a cover of grass, context [100] over landfill rubble
context [101].
The majority of finds from the trench consisted of plastic bags, bottles and yogurt containers which were not
retained. Finds retained {1} were late 19th/20th century glass and ceramics see appendix III.
Trench 2 (refer to fig 02 for location and fig 04 for section detail)(Brackets [ ] denote context number)
Trench 2 was excavated to natural for the majority of its length as can be seen in Plate 07; however, the western
end of the trench dominated by the remains of a mortared wall and area of internal flooring.
The general sequence of the trench was from the top, context [100] under which was dark grey silty sand,
context [102] to a depth of 150mm. This overlay a thin deposit of orange sandy clay, context [103] before the
limestone bedrock [112].
At the western end, the sequence ran [100] over [102] with an isolated patch of [101] some 1.9m from the end of
the trench and visible top right; between the ranging rods, Plate 08.
The end of a lime mortared wall exposed for 1.7m but extending west beyond the limit of the trench
[104].
A foundation or base course of large stone extending north beyond the limit of the trench [105].
An area of flooring made up of flat stone [106] and bonded with black ash mortar [107] and partially
edged with cement [108], fig 04.
Under context deposit [102] and covering the combined features [104-108] was a deposit of darker grey soil
with granules of white lime mortar [109]. Context [109] also filled down the outer edge of [104] to the limit of
the evaluation and across the trench to the east of [105] and beyond the limit of excavation.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg EV/Asg/12
The depth of the excavation can be seen in Plate 09 with the top of [104] at less than 10mm from the surface,
[105] at 300mm and the limit of the trench; to the left of [105], at 500mm.
Detail photographs of the wall and floor can be seen in Plates 10 & 11.
Finds from trench two included a quantity of rough dressed building stone which were not retained. Retained
finds amounted to some shards of glass and a decimal two pence piece {2}.
Trench 3 (refer to fig 02 for location and fig 05 for section detail)(Brackets [ ] denote context number)
(Brackets [ ] denote context number, complete lists in Appendix Ia)
Trench 3 was excavated to natural, the depth of which differed at each end of the trench: changing dramatically
around 4m from the northern end, Plate 12.
The sequence in the northern half was context [113], a very humic, black soil, over [102] and then [112]. The
average depth of [112] being <200mm.
Plate 13 shows the position of the limestone outcrop shown in Plate 12 at which the depth of natural increases.
Viewed from the opposite end of the trench, Plate 14 shows the drop in level, just behind the ranging rod.
The deposition sequence also changes to the south of the drop point with [102] previously identified in Trench 2,
overlaying [113].
Finds retained from trench 3 {3} were 5 sherds of ceramic and one shard of glass, late 19th/20th
{1} Trench 1 [101] 19th 20th c, domestic ware and consumer packaging
{2} Trench 1 [102] 19th 20th c, domestic ware
{3} Trench 1 [102] 19th 20th c, domestic ware
12. INTERPRETATION
The findings from trench 1 were inconclusive as neither an archaeological resource nor a natural horizon was
found. The depth of the trench does tend to suggest that any features that may have existed in this area are likely
to have been destroyed especially given the proximity of the existing wall assumed to be part of the anticipated
structure.
Trench 2 has shown that in this area at least some archaeological resources relating to the features marked on the
Ordnance Survey Mapping do remain in situ.
Trench 3 was partially successful in that it identified a feature marked on the 1878 map and noted above as a
‘curvilinear north east division’. It would appear that this feature is a natural occurrence; however, that does not
discount the possibility that its presence was not utilised. The difference in deposition sequence with the addition
of the humic soil suggests that this had been a separated plot, possibly a garden or an animal enclosure.
13. CONCLUSIONS
In general, information derived from this evaluation would tend to suggest that central and eastern part of the
site has been stripped of its soil cover, possibly during the work carried out around 2004. Therefore, any remains
would be limited to foundation trenches in the bedrock which would be unlikely.
However, this does not hold true for the south eastern half were there are archaeological resources present.
The western half of the site has been filled with a large quantity of loose rubble to at least a depth of 1.4m.
Given the existence of the standing wall close to trench 1 it is unlikely that any remains will be present below
1.4m. However, the unstable nature of the ground in this area will require a large amount of excavation to make
it suitable for building upon at which point it will be possible through a watching brief to confirm this.
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The proposed development will impact upon known archaeological resources in the areas of plot 1 and plot 3,
the latter being an existing drystone wall.
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.
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
I would like to a thank Mr & Mrs Hudd & son for their assistance.
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20. BIBLIOGRAPHY
GGAT., CAE0293/JBHD Re Proposed Three Dwellings: Land South West of Carn-Y-Tyla, Terrace,
Abertysswg. Pl.App.No.:13/0157/OUT
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.
Monmouthshire County
Council; (pl.app.no PL.App.No:DC/2012/00504.
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Land SW of Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg
N
Ca
rn-Y-
Tyl
a Ter
13m rac
e
ry
Bounda
12m
13m
Entrance
way
Plot 3
STN 3 11m
Evaluation trenches
Plot 2
Existing walls
12m
ry
da
1878 Layout
un
B ou
Bo
TR2
Plot 1
nda
1m contour
TR1 10m
ry
STN 1
0.2m contour
10m 9m
0 10 20 Bound Contour survey A.P.A.C. ltd, 18/06/2013. Adapted from application plans 13/0157/OUT
ary STN 1 at arbitrary height of 10m. BW1 00147178, Plans No 1 & 2A and Ist Ed
Ordnance Survey Glamorganshire 1878
metres
Fig 02: Evaluation trench positions with contours, overlay 1878 plot
A.P.A.C. Ltd DB:WB/Asg/13
Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertywssg
a
1st series, sheet 42 (Colby) 1833
b c
Ordnance Survey 1878 Ordnance Survey 1900-01
d e
Ordnance Survey 1919 Ordnance Survey 1960-73
N
100
101
Rubble fill
106
Step/foundation
Floor
Cement
105
100
Black ash mortar
108
101 Land fill/tumble
104
102
Edge of trench
100 0 0.5
DSC04697
Plate 03: Proposed area for trench 1. Very shallow cover above bedrock
DSC04678
DSC04680
Plate 04: Detail of rubble fill to south west corner Plate 05: View along
A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/Asg/13
completed trench.
Depth 1.2 to 1.4m. Unstable along the west edge.
Note plastic sheeting bottom left
Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg
DSC04684
DSC04693
Plate 07: View along trench showing position of A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/Asg/13
Plate 06:Detail of south east corner showing fill. Black plastic at 1.4m depth
feature. Exposed bedding plane, centre of
photograph
Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg
DSC04692
DSC04695
Plate 08: View of outside of wall section showing lime mortar and internal Plate 09: Detail view showing section through feature. Note slope of
rubble fill. Step or foundation stones to the right floor against horizontal scale frame
DSC04690
DSC04689
Plate 10: View of building to western edge of TR2, Scaling sequence 1 Plate 11: View of building to western edge
A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/Asg/13
of TR2, Scaling sequence 2
Land SW of Carn-Y-Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg
DSC04685
Plate 12: 2nd detail of bedrock in trench 3 corresponding to curvilinear feature shown on 1878 map
DSC04686
DSC04688
Plate 13: View along Tr3 towards Tr2. Foreground Plate 14: View along
A.P.A.C. Ltd EV/Asg/13
also showing bedrock outcrop. trench 3 after
clearing to show undulation of bedding planes,
close up
A.P.A.C. Ltd. Appendix I Context Sheet Index
101 1&2 Deposit Land fill, stone, clay, plastic 1 4676, 4677, 4678, 4679,
4680, 4684
102 2&3 Deposit Dark grey silty sand 2&3 4681, 4682, 4683, 4686,
4687, 4688, 4691, 4693,
4696
103 2&3 Natural Orange sandy clay, decayed limestone 4681, 4682, 4683, 4685,
4686, 4687, 4688, 4691,
4693, 4694