A.P.A.C. Ltd.

Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy

ARCHAEOLOGICAL

WATCHING BRIEF
WB03/GG/07

Site at: 6 Church Meadows, Glyngaer.

Caerphilly County Borough Council Planning Dept

Planning Application No: 06/620/4

 A.P.A.C. Ltd 6 Church Meadows, Glyngaer WB03/GG/07

CONTENTS
page

List of Figures 2
List of Plates 2
Non-Technical Summary 3
Introduction 3
Location and scope of work 3
Geology and topography 3
Archaeological and historical background 4
Aims and Objectives 4
Watching brief 4
Watching Brief Methodology 4
Fieldwork 4
Watching Brief Results 5
Soils and ground conditions 5
Descriptions 5
Discussion and Interpretation 7
Reliability of field investigation 7
Overall interpretation 7
Acknowledgements 7
Bibliography and References 7

Appendix
Figures
Plates
Index of Photographs
Contact Sheet
Contexts

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List of Figures

Figure 1 Location Map

Figure 2 Satellite Image
Figure 3 1886 Map
Figure 4 Site plan first phase
Figure 5 Site plan, final phase

List of Plates

Plate 1 Site looking west. Road embankment to right

Plate 2 Site looking south. Road embankment to right.
Plate 3 Site after the removal of overburden.
Plate 4 Foundation trench. Boulder clay above ironstone/limestone bedrock.
Plate 5 Trench 1 showing natural clay with modern debris above.
Plate 6 Raised mound to south of site. Building rubble.
Plate 7 Trench 2, clay fill with brick debris just above boulder clay.
Plate 8 Trench 3 showing stratigraphy

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 6 Church Meadows, Glyngaer WB03/GG/07

Non Technical Summary

This report results from work undertaken by Archaeological Perspectives &
Analysis Consultancy (A.P.A.C. Ltd) on behalf of 6 Church
Meadows, Glyngaer. The site comprised an area of garden, of the above property
which had been put aside for the purpose of a single housing development. Due
to the occurrence of archaeological finds in the vicinity a clause was included in
the planning permission requiring the presence of an archaeologist during
groundwork. The purpose of this watching brief was to record any
archaeological resources left in situ and advise on any mitigation arising from
such resources; if found. No significant archaeological resources were
uncovered during this work

Introduction
Location and scope of work

Planning permission, 06/0620/4, was requested from Caerphilly County Borough Council Planning Dept for
the erection of a dwelling on part of the ground belonging to 6 Church Meadows, Glyngaer. The location of
the site is at OS grid reference 313900 197100, shown in fig 1.

A clause was imposed on the planning document 06/0620/4, expressing the need for the presence of an
archaeologist during groundwork.

A.P.A.C. Ltd was contacted in relation to this clause and a watching brief was designed to the requirements
of the planning document. Copies of the watching brief were handed to the client, Mr A Watkins; prior to
commencement of the work, so that they could be forwarded to Caerphilly County Borough Council
Planning Dept for confirmation of acceptance.

A visit to the site was undertaken by Dr Neil Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd, on the 7th of February 2007. Dr
Phillips used the visit to familiarise himself with the area and to identify any potential, visible archaeological
features. No archaeological resources were identified from the field visit.

The watching brief commenced on the 14th of April with a second and final visit on 6th May 2007.
Excavation took place on both days, arrangements having been discussed and agreed with the client
concerning archaeological presence during excavation periods.

The initial watching brief was directed to any sub surface work, within the boundary enclosure of the site.
The enclosed area was approximately 377 m².

Geology and topography

The site is located on drift geology of boulder clay, to the east of the solid geology of the Cefn Glas,
sandstone layer (OS 1969).

The topography of the land to the east of the B4254 has been heavily developed into residential properties.
To the west of the road the land appears to be poorly drained, waste ground. The road itself may be the cause
of the poor draining as it has been raised on a causeway effectively cutting off the down slope to the land
west of the road.

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The satellite image, fig 2, shows the area of interest to the right of the road which curves up along the centre
of the image. The garden of 6 Church Meadows shows as an overgrown area between the road and the top
left house of the close.

Archaeological and historical background

Known archaeological resources around the area range from prehistoric to modern but the most visible and
nearest in proximity, are the medieval motte, which, gives its name to castle hill and the Roman Military site
NPRN 93007 and associated finds (RCAHMW).

The area where the site is situated can be seen to have been small enclosed fields at the time of the 1886 OS
map fig 3. Sometime between 1922 and 1938 the mapping was modified to take account of a new road, the
present B4254, which had been constructed as a raised causeway, fig 2.

The established housing development at Church Meadows has been built up to the raised causeway, adopting
some of the bank as garden property. It is into this bank that the present development encroaches.

Aims and Objectives

Watching Brief

The aim of the watching brief was to preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological
deposits uncovered during groundwork.

The watching brief would also ensure that: in the event of archaeological resources of significance being
discovered requiring treatment beyond the remit of the watching brief; then steps would be implemented to
ensure that their treatment would be undertaken within the standards recommended by the IFA.

Watching Brief Methodology

Fieldwork

The groundwork at the site entailed the excavation of a house plot, garage, and associated drainage. The site
layout can be seen in fig 4.

The initial watching brief consisted of an archaeological fieldworker being present during groundwork at the
site. All groundwork was undertaken using a mechanical digger.

Initial excavation work, topography and ground content soon suggested that the overburden of soil to be
removed was entirely made up ground, associated with the road construction.

Plates 1 and 2 show views across the site with the road gradient included. Fig 4 shows the position of the
gradient and a cross section giving an average slope of 33º

As a result of the initial work, which suggested that the ground was of a made-up nature, the brief was
altered to one of a sample strategy and three test pits were excavated to full proposed depth of development.

All three test pits revealed evidence of made-up ground containing fragments of building debris associated
with modern development with occasional 20th century household rubbish, glass, metal, pot and plastic.

Boulder clay was reached in all three pits.

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The results from the test pitting led to an informed decision to remove the overburden to the level acquired in
the test pits before resuming the watching brief.

The brief was resumed on the 7th of May, the site having been cleared of the overburden to expose the
boulder clay surface Plate 3. The first foundation trench was excavated along the north side reaching an
average depth of 0.4m; 0.2 of which was cut into bedrock Plate 4. Acting on the results and findings of the
work, it was decided to terminate the need for the presence of an archaeologist.

Contexts were noted as they presented themselves and a brief description given where appropriate. Lack of
archaeological resources uncovered did not require extensive section drawings in this instance.

All features uncovered were cleaned back to provide a reasonable surface for photographic recording. Such
photographs included a scale and north direction arrow, where appropriate.

All photographs taken have been given a unique number and listed in the appendix of this report, which also
includes a contact sheet of all the photographs.

All trenches were related to a site survey undertaken by A.P.A.C. Ltd using a Total Station. The site datum is
arbitrary.

Fig 4 shows the layout of 3 sampling trenches excavated on the first day of the watching brief.

Fig 5 shows the layout of 1 sampling trench excavated on the second day of the watching brief.

Watching Brief Results

Soils and ground conditions

The site and weather conditions for the first day of the watching brief were good and dry. Overnight rain
however, preceding the second day turned the clay surface of the site into a sticky quagmire Plate 3.

The general stratigraphy over the site was one of redistributed soils, ash, clay and domestic and building
debris. Contexts recorded are:

• {100} topsoil,
• {101} grey clay,
• {102} grey clay with iron stain
• {103} bedrock, lime and ironstone
• {104} Lens, modern debris fill with orange soil
• {105} Lens, Early 20th century debris in black soil/coal including modern

Descriptions

Trench 1

Trench 1, fig 4, was excavated by mechanical digger fitted with a toothed bucket, to an average depth of 1.4
m, taking it 0.5 m below the proposed excavation level for the development.

The trench measured 1m x 1.7m with its longest axis aligned north/south.

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The trench was excavated to sample the stratigraphy of the ground, as the entire area was suspected to be
composed of made up ground of modern origin.

Plate 5 shows the bottom 0.8m of the trench. At the bottom, 0.4m of natural clay is exposed whilst above can
be seen evidence of the overburden which contains modern brick, modern glass and plastic sheeting.

Trench 2

Trench 2, fig 4, was excavated by mechanical digger fitted with a toothed bucket, to an average depth of 1.4
m. The depth left it 0.8 above the proposed excavation level for the development.

The trench measured 1.4m x o.9m with its longest axis aligned northeast/southwest.

This trench was also excavated to sample the stratigraphy of the ground; in this instance, the raised area to
the south edge of the site, Plate 6.

Plate 7 shows the 0.6 m of the trench, 0.2m above the natural boulder clay. The fill is fairly uniform at this
point with the modern building debris concentrated towards the bottom, as can be seen with the brick
fragment next to the ranging rod.

Trench 3

Trench 3, fig 3, was excavated by mechanical digger fitted with a toothed bucket, to an average depth of 2.4
m, taking it 0.1 m below the proposed excavation level for the development.

The trench measured 0.9m x 1.4m with its longest axis aligned northeast/southwest.

The purpose of the third trench was also to sample the stratigraphy of the ground.

Its position was at the north base of the raised mound sampled by trench 2. Its rational was to provide a
control to the excavation of trench 2.

Plate 8 shows a vertical view of the completed trench. The majority of the fill is clay but towards the bottom
is a 0.15 lens of black soil containing modern debris, brick, glass and plastic as in trench 1.

Trench 4

Trench 4, fig 5, a foundation trench was excavated by mechanical digger fitted with a toothed bucket, to an
average depth of 0.65 m, taking it 0.6m below the proposed excavation level for the development.

The trench measured 7.2m x 1.2m with its longest axis aligned northeast/southwest.

Trench 4 was excavated as one of the final foundation trenches for the building itself.

The trench was excavated some 0.4m into the natural boulder clay before bedrock was reached Plate 4.

A further 0.2m was excavated into the bedrock before work was completed.

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Discussion and Interpretation

Reliability of field investigation

The watching brief was conducted at periods of active excavation. Weather and ground conditions had no
negative consequences to the undertaking. The reliability of the findings therefore, were good.

Overall interpretation

The entire site had an overburden of clay {101}with lenses of fill containing modern building and domestic
debris; {104}. Two areas of black soil containing ash, metal, glass bottle fragments and coal {105} occur in
the embankment, Plate 9. It is known that the embankment was constructed to carry the road, sometime
between 1922 and 1938 as evidenced by map regression. The glass bottle fragments contained in the
embankment fill tend to date from the early twentieth century being free of bubbles, stretching, and having
lost the blue tinge of non magnesium based glass. There were no remains of multiple mould bottles, sheared
necks or cork stopper examples as one would expect from earlier periods.

The made up ground; under which lay boulder clay and limestone, was used to construct the raised section of
the B4254, that bounds the site to the northwest. The gradient of the road causeway extends far into the
property of the excavation site; to the extent that the entire proposed building plan lies within its range.

The only exception to this general view is the raised mound to the south of the site. The fill of this mound
contained a lot of building debris such as lightweight thermite blocks. These blocks had their origin in the
adjacent building which was erected in the early 1990s. Some of the bricks that were unused are still to be
found stacked behind an adjoining shed. Therefore it can be assumed that the raised mound is evidence of
dumping sometime over the last fifteen years.

The watching brief revealed no archaeological resources.

Acknowledgements
Thanks to Mr and Mrs Watkins for their assistance and refreshments and the JCB drivers for extending every
effort to contribute to the efficient and effective outcome of the undertaking.

Bibliography and references

Archaeology Data Service ads.ahds.ac.uk

Ordnance Survey of Great Britain, Solid and Drift. Newport. Sheet 249. 1:50 000.
1969.

Google Earth www.earth.google.com

Ordnance Survey 1994 Landranger 171. Cardiff & Newport 1: 50 000.

RCAHMW www.rcahmw.gov.uk

A.P.A.C. Ltd, Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 7RG
. 07734962919. Email: apac.philips@btinernet.com.
Company Registration No 5041541. VAT Reg No 826 3628 19. www.apac.ltd.uk
Director: Dr N. Phillips. D.Phil. BA (Hons). Cert Ed/FE. AIFA. AAI&S

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ARCHIVE COVER SHEET

Princetown, Tredegar

Site Name: Merthyr rd

Site Code: WB02/PR/07

PRN: -

NPRN : -

SAM: -

Other Ref No: APAC 31

NGR: SO 5890 7405

Site Type: Modern

Project Type: Watching Brief

Project Officer: Neil Phillips

Project Dates: April 2007

Categories Present: N/A

Location of Original Archive: A.P.A.C. Ltd

Location of duplicate Archives: N/A

Number of Finds Boxes: N/A

Location of Finds: N/A

Museum Reference: N/A

Copyright: A.P.A.C. Ltd

Restrictions to access: None