BATH ABBEY B N -E S ATH AND ORTH AST OMERSET · Bath Abbey (centred on NGR: ST 7512 6475; Fig. 1). The ev undertaken at the request of the PCC, which wishes to relay the floor within

ATH AND ORTH AST OMERSET

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

APRIL 2011

BATH ABBEY PAROCHIAL CHURCH

COUNCIL

CA PROJECT: 3324 C : 11094

BAT ABBH EY

B N -E S

For

A REPORT

BATH AND NORTH-EAST SOMERSET

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION

CA ROJECT: 3324 CA EPORT: 11094

ed by , Project Officer

BATH ABBEY

PR

prepar Ray Holt

date 18 February 2011

checked by Mark Brett, Senior Project Officer

date 12 April 2011

approved by Head of Fieldwork Simon Cox,

signed

date 20 April 2011

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely

at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ

Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: [email protected]

© Cotswold Archaeology Bath Abbey, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 2

4

................ 7

................ 24

................ 28

................ 28

30

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ............................................................................................... 37

APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES ..................... 45

REPORT FORM............................................................................ 46

holes (1:250)

photograph (1:20)

tion, elevation and photograph (1:20)

tograph (1:20)

Fig. 6 Trial hole 4; plan, elevation, section and photograph (1:20)

Fig. 7 Trial hole 5; plan, section and photographs (1:50)

Fig. 8 Trial hole 5; sections (1:20)

Fig. 9 Trial hole 6; plan, elevations, sections and photographs (1:50)

Fig. 10 Trial hole 7; plan, sections, elevation and photographs (1:50 and 1:20)

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2-10) ........................................................................

3. DISCUSSION.......................................................................................

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...........................................................................

5. REFERENCES ....................................................................................

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS .....................................................................

APPENDIX D: OASIS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)

Fig. 2 The site, showing location of trial holes and bore

Fig. 3 Trial hole 1; plan, section, elevation and

Fig. 4 Trial hole 2; plan, sec

Fig. 5 Trial hole 3; plan, section, elevation, profile and pho

1


SUMMARY

Name:

ath and North-East Somerset

– 3 March 2011

deposited with Roman Baths Museum, Bath

Accession Number: BATRM 2011.3

een January

. Seven trial holes were excavated, six within or immediately

adjacent to the south side of the medieval abbey, and one external trench to the east of the

ucted during

ated with the

to the south-west, was revealed to the south of the west front of the Abbey. To

the east of the south transept a considerable quantity of residual Roman pottery was noted

g extensive

extraction of

f the Norman

upporting the

The fabric of the medieval abbey walls was revealed within all of the internal trenches,

together with intercutting pits and levelling layers of probable medieval date within the

external trench. Possible evidence for the paving of the medieval cloister walk was revealed

to the west of the south transept, along with evidence for later remodelling of the exterior of

the southern abbey wall.

Project Bath Abbey

Location: Bath Abbey, B

NGR: ST 7512 6475

Type: Evaluation

Date: 10 January

Location of Archive: To be

Site Code: BAY 11

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology betw

and March 2011 at Bath Abbey

south transept. In addition, an archaeological watching brief was cond

geotechnical borehole investigations.

Potential evidence for a raised Roman masonry structure, or ‘podium’, associ

Roman baths

within intercutting pits and levelling layers of medieval date, suggestin

disturbance of Roman levels in this area for the robbing of masonry, and/or

sand and gravel.

Limited evidence for Norman activity was revealed, with possible foundations o

abbey revealed to the south of the west front, and re-used Norman masonry s

base of one of the central aisle piers within the abbey itself.

2


Post-medieval coffins and tombs were revealed in four trenches within the a

itself, whilst post-medieval building remains were identified immediately to the

medieval abbey. Post-medieval pits and a 17th-century bowling green surface w

within the external trench east of the south transept, whilst a Georgian

subsequent ‘moat’ structure, the latter built in the 1830s, were revealed to the

west front. The foundations of an extant 1920s extension, b

bbey church

south of the

ere revealed

house and

south of the

uilt against the south side of the

medieval abbey, were also examined to the south of the west front.

3


1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 rried out an

cil (PCC) at

aluation was

possibility of

ce for church

luation works an archaeological watching brief was

undertaken on a number of geotechnical boreholes carried out within or adjacent to

1.2 n Scheme of

ard Sermon,

Standard and

nd Guidance

rchaeological

nglish Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the

ric Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (EH 2006). It was

ary, 7 and 15

1.3 The site comprises the footprint of the church buildings of Bath Abbey (the parish

area of pedestrianised public highway south of the chancel of the church, between

ly 24m AOD.

1.4 f the Church

1.5 The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as mudstone of the Charmouth

Mudstone Formation of the Lower Jurassic era, and the drift geology is mapped as

river terrace deposits consisting of sand and gravel (BGS 2010). Sandy silty clay

and gravel deposits thought to represent the natural substrate were encountered

within a borehole in Trial hole 5.

Between January and March 2010 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) ca

archaeological evaluation for the Bath Abbey Parochial Church Coun

Bath Abbey (centred on NGR: ST 7512 6475; Fig. 1). The ev

undertaken at the request of the PCC, which wishes to relay the floor within the

church to obtain a stable and level surface and also to investigate the

alterations to, or the construction of, new fabric to provide more spa

activities. In addition to the eva

the evaluation areas by Mann Williams.

The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Writte

Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2010) and approved by Rich

Archaeological Officer, BANES Council. The fieldwork also followed the

Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2008), the Standard a

for an Archaeological Watching Brief (IfA 2008), the Management of A

Projects (E

Histo

monitored by Richard Sermon, including site visits on 13 and 20 Janu

February 2011.

The site

church of St Peter and St Paul) including the choir vestry and shop, along with an

the church and Kingston Buildings (Fig. 2). The site lies at approximate

The church is currently used for divine worship according to the rites o

of England and is Listed Grade 1.

4


1.6 areas of the

proposals to

Archaeology

hat it is still

s potential for

modern day,

remains from

g across the

floor surface,

ves and burial

f the Norman

eneath these lay Saxon, Roman

and prehistoric deposits, known to be at least 1 to 3m in thickness. Outside the

p of Roman,

1.7 new

in the 19th century, that the deposits under the nave floor of the present abbey

given a new

onfined to its

1.8 It is not clear whether the chancel was refloored in the same way; major intrusive

the chancel

appear not to

Curnock, pers. comm.).

1.9 In 1962-63 two major excavations were made in the east and west ends of the

nave. The exact position and character of the works were not documented in any

detail, but from the description in the minutes of the Parochial Church Council

appear to be brick and concrete reinforcing structures in a void space under the

floor, penetrating the level of the Norman floor and some way below it.

Archaeological background

In 2005 a desk-based archaeological assessment of the below-floor

church was carried out by ASI Heritage Consultants, in connection with

repair and level the floor of the church (ASI 2005). In 2010 Cotswold

was commissioned to update the 2005 assessment to make sure t

appropriate for the current project (CA 2010c). In summary the site ha

significant remains from the prehistoric period through to the

demonstrated by previous excavations and observations, with complex

the Roman, Saxon, medieval, post-medieval and modern period survivin

site, inside and outside the church. It appears that the current church

constructed between 1863 and 1872, lies above c. 2.5m of intercut gra

vaults from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These are above the floor o

and later medieval abbey and its structures, and b

church, excavations have demonstrated a similarly complex build-u

Saxon, medieval and post-medieval structures and deposits.

The 2005 assessment suggested, apart from the superficial intrusions of the

floor, and the engineering/archaeological investigations carried out by James Irvine

church were not widely affected by Victorian works when the nave was

floor of mass concrete in 1869, and the heating ducts were largely c

thickness. The ancient burial ledgers were re-laid over the new floor.

works to do with heating systems did take place here, however, and

and chancel aisles were repaved with tiles and wood. The transepts

have been given this treatment and recent lifting of some ledgers confirmed that

there was no mass concrete under the slabs here (Charles

5


Archaeological objectives

The objectives of the evaluation were to provide data on the date, char

survival and extent of the archaeological deposits and structures with

works in order that an informed decision on their importance in a loca

national context can be made. This information will clarify whether any

of sufficient importance to warrant consideration for preservation

1.10 acter, quality,

in the area of

l, regional or

remains are

in situ, or

alternatively form the basis of mitigation measures that may seek to limit damage to

1.11 t the bearing

the floor and of any surviving ancient structures that

may be capable of taking a load were to be investigated and assessed by the civil

1.12 tive of the trenches outside the main part of the church was to ascertain

l.

1.13

th and 1.08m

; Trial hole 4

ed 6.52m in

in width and

ns shown on

rial holes 1 to

try and shop

the pavement

cifically aimed at

assessing the character and degree of survival of buried elements of the medieval

. The

es within the

main church. Trenches were set out with reference to digital plans supplied by the

client and surveyed by hand measurement from the existing Abbey structure.

1.14 Trial holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 were excavated exclusively by hand and Trial hole 5

was excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket.

All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision

significant remains.

The trenches within the church had an engineering objective, in tha

capacities of the soils beneath

engineering consultants to the project.

The objec

whether it is practical to construct rooms below the current surface leve

Methodology

The fieldwork comprised the excavation of seven trial holes: Trial hole 1 measured

1.85m in length and 1.83m in width; Trial hole 2 measured 2.5m in leng

in width; Trial hole 3 measured 1.97m in length and 0.92m in width

measured 2.34m in length and 1.04m in width; Trial hole 5 measur

length and 1.92m in width; Trial hole 6 measured 5m in length and 3.7m

Trial hole 7 measured 2.25m in length and 2.1m in width, in the locatio

the attached plan (Fig. 2). Four were dug in the interior of the church (T

4). Two more (Trial holes 6 and 7) were excavated in the choir ves

(formerly known as the Memorial Cloister) and a further trial hole within

area south of the chancel (Trial hole 5). Trial holes 5 to 7 are spe

church and priory that could be affected by developments in these areas

existence of ledger stones influenced the exact size and shape of trench

6


to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon. Where a

deposits were encountered they were excava

rchaeological

ted by hand in accordance with CA

Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.15 ases of Trial

l holes 2 and

th the level of

d from a grill

y a powered

l work was

undertaken under constant archaeological supervision and logs of encountered

ording logs.

1.16 ordance with

onmental and Other

Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003) and no deposits were identified that

rdance with

010).

1.17 rently held by CA at their

s in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will

Roman Baths Museum, Bath along with the site archive. A

summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix D, will be entered

2.

2.1 ummaries of

nd finds are to be found in Appendices A and B respectively.

Details of the relative heights of the principal deposits and features expressed as

metres Above Ordnance Datum (m AOD) appear in Appendix C. The results of

geotechnical borehole surveys in Trial holes 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as those beneath

the level of the possible Norman floor located adjacent to Trial hole 4, are also

incorporated into this section.

A series of three hand-augered boreholes were completed within the b

holes 2, 3 and 4 (borehole reference numbers TH2, TH3 and TH4, respectively).

Subsequently, window samples were recovered from the bases of Tria

5 (borehole reference numbers TH2A and TH5), as well as from benea

the possible Norman floor located adjacent to Trial hole 4 and accesse

within the existing abbey floor, using gouges driven into the ground b

breaker (borehole reference numbers TH4A and TH4B). All geotechnica

deposits were completed accordingly, using CA pro-forma borehole rec

Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in acc

CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Envir

required sampling. All artefacts recovered were processed in acco

Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (2

The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are cur

office

be deposited with

onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

RESULTS (FIGS 2-10)

This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed s

the recorded contexts a

7


2.2 oundations of

n BB, Fig. 4,

tral piers

a very similar

. Constructed

yer (102, 205,

al sandstone

n intermittent

401) was laid

current floor

202 and 404,

es 2 and 4

respectively (Fig. 4, section AA and Fig. 6, section BB). Within Trial hole 1 the ledger

ick built organ pipe duct 109 which had been inserted through the

2.3 s revealed in

The earliest

3 measuring

e relationship

ated by the

coffins (106,

However no

of the deposit. Beneath

n coffins 107

d during the

r surface or,

2.4 although no

construction cut was discernible) the northern wall of an east-west aligned burial

tomb 104 was revealed. Tomb 104 was constructed of sandstone blocks, utilised the

southern transept wall 110 as its western end and measured 0.8m wide and at least

1m deep internally (Fig. 3, section AA). The roof and upper courses were not

present having been damaged presumably during the floor construction works in the

19th century. Within the tomb a loose rubble fill 105 was recorded and has been

The four trial holes excavated in the interior of the church revealed the f

the existing medieval Abbey walls (Trial holes 1, 2 and 4; Fig. 3, elevatio

section AA and Fig. 6, elevation AA) and the foundations of one of the cen

(Trial hole 3; Fig. 5, elevation BB and profile CC). Within the trial holes

sequence of deposits forming the present Abbey floor was recorded

between 1863 and 1872, the current floor consisted of a lime concrete la

302 and 402) averaging 0.3m thick. This was overlain by an addition

hardcore layer 204 in Trial hole 2 only, measuring 0.23m in thickness. A

levelling layer consisting of dabs of ashy grey mortar (101, 201, 301 and

beneath the Ledger stones (100, 200, 300 and 400) which form the

surface. Contemporary with the floor construction, masonry heating ducts

both containing cast iron heating pipes, were recorded in Trial hol

stones overlay a br

underlying floor construction layers (Fig. 3).

Trial hole 1 (Figs 2 & 3)

The masonry of the present western wall of the south transept 110 wa

elevation at the western edge of Trial hole 1 (Fig. 3, elevation BB).

deposit recorded within the trial hole was a loose brown sandy layer 11

approximately 0.25m thick and interpreted as in situ grave earth. Th

between this deposit and south transept wall 110 had been trunc

insertion of a later organ pipe duct 109. Three east-west aligned lead

107 and 108) were revealed within deposit 113 (Fig. 3, section AA).

grave cuts could be ascertained due to the very loose nature

deposit 113, a solid surface was encountered during probing betwee

and 108 at approximately 22.65m AOD and although not reveale

archaeological works is thought to represent an underlying solid floo

perhaps more likely, the Norman wall foundation.

To the south of the lead coffins and presumably cutting deposit 113 (

8


interpreted as collapse of the overlying deposit 103 into the tomb (Fig. 3, Section

AA).

2.5 y the current

1m thick and

ter fragments

AA). Deposit

deposit 113

ntained large

l tombs. The

venport pers.

comm.). The insertion of brick-built organ pipe conduit 109 post-dates the

19th-century concrete floor 102 which, in turn, covers disturbed

2.6 eholing in the

22.7m AOD

sits 227, was

was overlain

24, and 223)

ngle sherd of

an roof tile or

m thick and

contained disarticulated human bone and fragments of lead coffin. Deposit 221

n interpreted

vealed in the

ed two clay

2.7 Surviving against the southern Abbey wall 228, the earliest deposits identified within

the archaeological trial hole have been interpreted as the remnants of floors and

associated bedding layers truncated by the insertion of later burials. Sandy gravel

bedding layer 209 measured in excess of 0.25m thick and was overlain by a lime

mortar surface 211 measuring up to 0.15m thick (22.2m AOD, 2m BPGL). A further

lime mortar surface 210 was recorded at 22.5m AOD (1.7m BPGL; Fig. 4, elevation

Overlying both the coffins and burial tomb and subsequently sealed b

floor construction layers, sandy deposit 103 measured an average of

contained quantities of disarticulated human bone, coffin furniture, plas

from a ribbed moulded ceiling and 19th-century pottery (Fig. 3, section

103 has been interpreted as representing disturbance of grave earth

during the floor construction works in the mid 19th century, and co

voids corresponding to the collapse of the underlying coffins and buria

plaster fragments within 103 are likely to come from the ceiling of the Nave, which

was replaced in the 1860s, confirming the mid 19th-century date (Da

construction of the

grave earth 103.


In Trial hole 2, seven deposits were recorded during geotechnical bor

base of the trench (TH2 and TH2A) and represent deposits between

and 20.27m AOD (1.5m to 3.93m BPGL). The earliest of these depo

encountered at 20.27m AOD and consisted of loose sand. Deposit 227

by a series of horizontal silty clay and silty sand deposits (226, 225, 2

between 21.19m AOD and 20.27m AOD. Deposit 226 contained a si

pottery dating from the 2nd to 4th-century AD, and four pieces of Rom

tegula. Overlying 223, firm silty clay deposit 222 measured 0.56

measured 0.95m thick, overlay deposit 222 and both deposits have bee

as probable grave earth. Deposit 221 is a continuation of deposit 219 re

base of the trial hole during the archaeological works, and contain

tobacco pipe fragments of post-medieval date.

9


BB). Sandy gravel deposit 208 was recorded at 22.61m AOD in the c

the trench, was truncated to the north, south an

entral part of

d west by the insertion of later

burials and probably represents a floor bedding layer (Fig. 4).

2.8 continued to

n AA). Three

onstructed of

rials 213 and

ction cut for

the tomb were difficult to ascertain due to the very loose nature of the surrounding

2.9 erage of 1m

ne and coffin

19th-century

ance of the

works in the

mid 19th century, and contained large voids corresponding to the collapse of coffins

verlying 207 was a crushed sandstone hardcore layer 206 which

encountered

tings for the

B and profile

essed stone,

2.11 Solid stone surface 313 was encountered at 21.96m AOD (2.45m BPGL), within

mortar layer

308, measuring 0.1m thick. Deposit 308 contained nine fragments of clay tobacco

pipe of post-medieval date and has been interpreted as a probable floor bedding

layer (Fig. 5, section AA).

2.12 In situ grave earth 311 overlay 308, and measured 0.8m thick. East/west aligned

brick tomb 307 was cut through deposit 311 and it is assumed that two further

In situ grave earth 219 was revealed at 22.6m AOD (1.6m BPGL) and

21.75m AOD (recorded as deposit 221 in borehole TH2; Fig. 4, sectio

east-west aligned inhumation burials (212, 213 and 214) were revealed within

deposit 219 (Fig. 4). Burial 212 consisted of a rectangular tomb c

roughly hewn sandstone blocks measuring 0.35m wide internally. Bu

214 consisted of lead coffins. The limits of the grave cuts and constru

grave earth 219.

Overlying the coffins and burial tomb sandy deposit 207 measured an av

thick and contained considerable quantities of disarticulated human bo

furniture, 10 clay tobacco pipe fragments and 19 sherds of pottery of

date. Deposit 207 has been interpreted as representing disturb

underlying in situ grave earth deposit 219 during the floor construction

and burial tombs. O

formed an additional base layer for the overlying 19th-century floor not

in Trial holes 1, 3 and 4 (Fig. 4, section AA).


2.10 A shallow extension of Trial hole 3 to the west revealed the rubble foo

central aisle pier of the current medieval Abbey, 305 (Fig. 5, elevation B

CC). This comprised re-used Bath Stone blocks and fragments of dr

presumably from the Norman building.

hand-augered geotechnical borehole TH3. This was overlain by sandy

10


graves, also aligned east/west, and containing lead coffin 309 and w

312, also cut grave earth 311. However, no grave cuts were appare

very loose nature of the dep

ooden coffin

nt due to the

osit. Rectangular tomb 307 was constructed of red brick

set directly onto mortar layer 308.

2.13 f

ffin furniture,

4 has been

11 during the

large voids

bs. Overlying

ch contained

a single sherd of post-medieval pottery and was presumably introduced to level the

prior to the addition of the concrete base layer 302 of the 19th-

2.14 4, were exposed at 23.95m AOD

tone bonded

closely fitting

2.15 ring (TH4) at

22 is thought

the one visible beneath the grating situated approximately 2m to the south of Trial

le below that

g a silty sand

s floor make

2.16 Overlying surface 422 within Trial hole 4 was a loose brown sandy layer 416

measuring approximately 0.75m thick. 416 contained two fragments of post-

medieval clay tobacco pipe and interpreted as in situ grave earth. Five east/west

aligned coffins (405, 406, 411, 417 and 418; Fig. 6, plan and section BB)

presumably lay within graves cut through deposit 416, however no grave cuts were

discernible within this material. Coffin 411 (not illustrated) was very fragmentary,

Overlying the coffins and burial tomb, sandy deposit 304 measured an average o

1.05m thick and contained quantities of disarticulated human bone, co

clay tobacco pipe and 14 sherds of 19th-century pottery. Deposit 30

interpreted as representing disturbance of in situ grave earth deposit 3

floor construction works in the mid 19th century, and contained

corresponding to the collapse of the underlying coffins and burial tom

304 in the eastern corner of the trial hole was a silty sand layer 303 whi

underlying deposits

century floor (Fig. 5, section AA).


The foundations of the north wall of the chancel, 41

(0.4m BPGL). These comprised worked and unworked blocks of Bath S

with a sandy lime mortar. The overlying wall 413 was constructed from

ashlars bonded with sandy lime mortar (Fig. 6, elevation AA).

Solid surface 422 was encountered during geotechnical hand-auge

22.65m AOD (1.85m BPGL). Although not revealed in plan, surface 4

to represent a continuation of a flagstone floor surface set at a comparable level to

hole 4. Boreholes TH4A and TH4B, sunk beneath the floor surface visib

grating, revealed sandy silt layer 420 measuring 0.05m thick overlyin

deposit 421 measuring 0.25m thick, and these have been interpreted a

up layers.

11


survived only as a soil stain and overlay coffin 418. Two patches of y

mortar (407 and 408) and a dump of sandstone rubble 412 were al

within deposit 416 (Fig. 6, plan and section B

ellowish grey

so contained

B); however their function remains

uncertain due to the degree of truncation by grave digging.

2.17

ents of clay

ig 6, section

f grave earth

sit 416 during the floor construction works in the mid 19th century, and

contained voids corresponding to the collapse of the underlying coffins and burial

2.18 base of Trial

D (3.17m to

20.03m AOD

45 measuring

sent the natural substrate. A series of horizontal silty clay and silty sand

deposits (599, 598, 597, 596, 595, 594 and 593) were encountered between 21.26m

Roman box

mic building

2.19 most deposit

ntained Roman ceramic building material,

mortar and iron nails. Interpreted as a probable dump deposit or pit fill, 584/568 was

ds of Roman

er plate from

this deposit

dates to the later Anglo-Saxon or medieval period.

2.20 Cutting deposit 575, pit 581 extended beyond the southern limit of excavation and

measured at least 0.9m in width and 0.18m in depth and contained at least two fills

582 and 583. Fill 582 contained residual material including a 4th-century AD Roman

coin and three sherds of Roman pottery. Pit 581 was in turn sealed by a series of

Overlying the coffins, silt deposit 403 measured up to 0.7m thick and contained

quantities of disarticulated human bone, coffin furniture, four fragm

tobacco pipe and five sherds of pottery of 18th to 19th-century date (F

BB). Deposit 403 has been interpreted as representing disturbance o

depo

tombs.

Trial hole 5 (Figs 2, 7 & 8)

Nine deposits were recorded within geotechnical bore hole TH5 in the

hole 5, representing deposits between 21.26m AOD and 19.85m AO

4.48m BPGL). The earliest of these deposits, 592 was encountered at

and consisted of sandy silty clay. Deposit 592 was overlain by gravel 5

0.1m thick. Deposits 592 and 545 were artefactually sterile and could potentially

repre

AOD and 20.13m AOD, overlying deposit 545. Deposit 597 contained

flue tile and pottery. Deposits 594 and 593 contained undated cera

material.

Deposit 584/568 revealed in the base of sondage A overlay the upper

593 identified within the borehole and co

in turn overlaid by another dump or pit fill 575 which contained 17 sher

pottery (Fig. 7, plan; Fig. 8, sections BB, CC and DD). However a stiffen

a bone or composite bone/horn comb recovered from 575 suggests

12


horizontal deposits 585, 586, and 587 to the southwest containing dem

including ceramic building material, and deposits 572, 567, 562 and 5

northeast which contained residual Roman ceramic building material, g

industrial residues and a

olition debris

63/555 to the

lass, mortar,

copper alloy radius of late 3rd century date (Fig. 7, plan,

section AA; Fig. 8, section BB).

2.21 4m in length,

ree sherds of

and worked

also cut by a

vidence was

ealed by levelling deposit 569, which

rial, slag and

2.22 ling deposits

d by a mortar

t, 565, which

524) of 565

of medieval floor tile and was subsequently cut by pit 542 to the

north-east. From the mortar surface 556, two sherds of residual 2nd to 4th-century

ined a single

th to 14th-century date in addition to residual Roman

ceramic building material.

2.23 Two pits, 542 and 560, cut the medieval mortar surface 541 (Fig. 7, plan, section

2.24 ontained two

2.25 Pit 560 measured in excess of 0.26m in width and 0.29m in depth, contained a

single fill 561 and was cut by a posthole 558 which measured 0.25m in diameter and

0.17m in depth. Fill 559 of posthole 558 was sealed by a dump deposit 546 which

was in turn overlain by a dump of demolition debris 566 which contained medieval

floor tile fragments (Fig. 8, section CC).

Deposit 587 was truncated by pit 591, which measured in excess of 1.8

1.22m in depth and contained fills 570/571. Fill 570/571 contained th

residual late 3rd to 4th-century AD pottery, ceramic building material

stone. Fill 571 was sealed by a further horizontal deposit 588, and was

further pit 577, with a single fill 578 from which no artefactual e

recovered. Deposit 588 and pit fill 578 were s

contained 77 sherds of 4th century AD pottery, ceramic building mate

other cultural debris (Fig. 7, plan; Fig. 8 sections).

Dump/levelling layer 569 was sealed by a series of bedding or level

(574, 553, 552 and 557) of probable medieval date. These were seale

surface 556 (Fig. 8, sections CC and DD), and 557 was cut by a pi

contained three fills (589, 564 and 590/524). The upper fill (590/

contained quantities

AD pottery were recovered. Overlying 556, mortar surface 541 conta

sherd of medieval pottery of 12

AA; Fig. 8, sections BB, CC and DD).

Pit 542 measured in excess of 1.6m in width and 0.45m in depth, and c

fills 543 and 544.

13


2.26 ned three fills

s sealed by a

0, possibly set down in preparation for the construction of for wall

514 (Fig. 7, section AA).

2.27 h, 0.34m in

stone blocks

retaining wall

photograph).

de of the wall

est course of

construction. This suggests the area incorporating the bowling green to the west of

he

2.28 clay deposits

eposits, clay

ench and a

ere recorded

section CC).

nd sealing the discreet dump deposits,

deposit 518 consisted of a horizontal layer of charcoal rich clayey silt measuring

g, bone and

2.29 Two pits, 519 and 521, cut the bowling green surface 518. Pit 519 measured 0.44m

red 0.52m in

sealed by a

-century date

(Fig. 7, section AA; Fig. 8, section CC).

2.30 Sealing these dumped deposits, a series of broadly horizontal deposits (506, 505,

504, 503, 502, 509/526, 512, 511, 501 and 533) were recorded between 24.24m

AOD and 23.04m AOD (0.2m to 1.2m BPGL; Fig. 7, section AA) and have been

interpreted as levelling and makeup layers dating to the 19th century. These are not

Pit 547 measured in excess of 1.6m in width, 0.45m in depth, contai

(548/551, 550 and 549) and cut deposit 566. The upper fill of the pit wa

levelling deposit 54

Wall 514 was orientated north-south, measured in excess of 2m in lengt

width, 1.03m in height, was constructed of roughly-dressed sand

bonded with a hard grey cinder rich mortar and interpreted as the

surrounding a 17th-century bowling green (Fig. 7, plan, section AA and

The construction cut 532 for wall 514 was only visible on the eastern si

and cut dump deposits 530 and 529. Mortar deposit 539 butted the low

wall 514 on its western side and has been interpreted as mortar drip from the wall

wall 514 had been reduced and levelled, the wall being constructed against t

vertical face of the resulting terrace.

Butting the western side of wall 514 and sealing mortar deposit 539,

538, 525 formed a bank against the wall. Overlapping the bank d

levelling deposit 523 extended across the excavated portion of the tr

number of additional discreet dump deposits (523, 536, 535 and 534) w

in the northeast corner of the trial hole (Fig. 7, section AA; Fig. 8,

Extending out to the west of the bank a

0.26m in thickness, contained pottery, fragments of plaster mouldin

glass dating from the late 17th to 18th-century and has been interpreted as a

probable bowling green surface (Fig. 7, section AA).

in width, 0.24m in depth and contained a single fill 520. Pit 521 measu

width, 0.26m in depth and contained a single fill 522. Both pits were

series of dump deposits 517, 516 and 515 of probable late 17th to 18th

14


discussed in detail. Cut from various horizons within the 19th-century

east-west orientated garden bou

make up an

ndary wall 510 (not illustrated) and two pits 580 and

579 were recorded (Fig. 7, section AA).

2.31 as sealed by

seals all the above deposits and forms the present pedestrian surface (Fig. 7,

2.32 (21.8m AOD,

sandy mortar

r the Roman

an bath complex to the south-west of the Abbey

(Mann 1900; Fig. 9, plan, elevation AA, sections BB and DD, and photograph). A

part of a later

2.33 7 measuring

rlain by lime

9, elevation

all 625 was constructed of roughly worked

sandstone blocks with a yellowish brown sandy lime mortar and has been

l, reused as

2.34 outh and has

ty, Number 1

the southern

631/661 had a rendering of lime plaster which continued around onto wall 625 which

had been smoothed with an underlying grey render 664. A blocked doorway or

window consisting of mortared stone rubble and brick 628 was recorded in wall

631/661 (Fig. 9, section BB). Alterations on the Abbey wall 625 and foundation 623

are thought to represent ledges and timber supports for internal features within the

basement of the 18th-century property (P. Davenport pers. comm). Contemporary

A robber trench 528 had removed the upper courses of wall 514 and w

19th-century levelling deposit 509/526. A pennant sandstone paved surface 500

section AA).


In Trial hole 6 the earliest deposit consisted of a stone surface 636

2.55m BPGL) constructed of irregular sandstone blocks bonded with a

and has been interpreted as probably representing the foundations fo

podium associated with the Rom

similar deposit (717) was revealed in Trench 7, but is interpreted as a

medieval cloister paving (see 2.39 below).

Stone surface 636 was overlain by an undated sandy deposit 635/66

0.06m thick. Interpreted as probable levelling, deposit 635/667 was ove

mortar bedding layer 634, from which wall 625 was constructed (Fig.

CC). Measuring 1.4m in height, w

interpreted as the remnants of the southern Norman Abbey wal

foundations for the narrower south wall 623 of the late medieval Abbey (P.

Davenport pers. comm; Fig. 9, elevation CC).

Perpendicular to and butting wall 625; wall 631/661 was aligned north-s

been interpreted as a probable internal wall of an 18th-century proper

Church Street, recorded on historic mapping. The property utilised

Abbey wall 625 as its northern boundary. Constructed of Bath stone blocks, wall

15


with the north/south wall and render, horizontal levelling deposits 666, 6

and a mortar bedd

57, 656, 653

ing 652 formed a surface on to which a pennant sandstone floor

627/651 had been laid.

2.35 622, 611/618 and 616

2.36 614/613 has

all, removed

609, trample

deposit 607 are associated with and contemporary to the use of the

moat (Fig. 9, sections BB, DD and FF). A robber trench 641 was revealed to the

2.37 Levelling and demolition rubble deposits 606, 605, 604, 603 and 602 containing

elled prior to

and FF).

2.38 The 1924 extension consists of walls constructed of finely worked bathstone blocks

brick foundations 619 and 639. A brick heating duct 640 was

d a pennant

2.39 ,

21.78m AOD) constructed of irregular sandstone blocks bonded with a dirty sandy

le 6, surface

ng at 21.68m

comm.) (Fig.

2.40 Stone surface 717 was overlain by an undated sand and gravel surface 723

measuring 0.1m thick (Fig. 10, sections AA and CC, elevation BB). Deposit 723 was

overlain by lime mortar bedding layer 718 upon which footing 716 and subsequent

courses of masonry 724 were constructed. These are likely to be later additions to

the medieval Abbey wall 703, potentially relating to remodelling of the cloister (P.

Davenport pers. comm.). However no stratigraphic relationship between the Abbey

Overlying the pennant floor 627/651 rubble deposits 626/649,

represent the demolition infill of the basement of Number 1 Church Street.

Cutting the demolition infill deposits and wall 631/661, east-west wall

been interpreted as the surviving remnants of the 19th-century moat w

during the 1924 extension to the Abbey. Drain 615, concrete surface

608 and soil

south of the wall.

modern artefacts overlay the moat wall and suggest the area was lev

the construction of the Abbey extension in 1924 (Fig. 9, sections BB, DD

637 sat upon arched

constructed adjacent to wall 637 and concrete bedding 601 supporte

sandstone floor surface 600 (Fig. 9, elevation EE and section FF).


In Trial hole 7 the earliest deposit consisted of a stone surface 717 (1.8m BPGL

mortar. Although very similar to the Roman stone surface in Trial ho

717, was slightly above the known level of the medieval cloister pavi

AOD and is thus most likely a later cloister paving (P. Davenport pers.

10, plan, elevation BB, section CC and photograph).

16


wall 703 and surface 717 could be ascertained, although it is probable the Abbey

wall is built on top of the stone surface as encountered in Trial hole 6.

2.41 0.04m thick,

ample layer.

deposits 714, 705, 712 and 704

2.42 Abbey wall 703 and

contained fills 711, 707, 708, 709 and 710 from which residual 18th and 19th-

tain.

2.43 All the above deposits were sealed by the current floor surface which consisted of a

02, grey cement bedding and pennant

2.44 Appendix B).

consist of Roman pottery, medieval pottery, post-medieval and modern

pottery, clay tobacco pipe, ceramic building material, glass, worked and burnt flint,

ts, industrial

ne shell were

2.45 Codes for Roman pottery fabrics given in parenthesis in this report are based on

007, 34–49).

quantities of

2.46

hole 5, although most of this material is demonstrably re-deposited. The largest

group was noted from layer 569 in Trial hole 5, totalling 77 sherds, and is residual in

context. It consists of sherds in Dorset Black-Burnished ware (BB1SED), coarse

reduced ware/black sandy fabric (CRW) some of which are imitating Black

Burnished ware, Oxfordshire red-slipped ware (OXF RS), New Forest colour-coated

and ‘metallic’ colour-coated ware (NFO CC), wheelthrown shell-tempered ware

Gravel layer 715 butted wall 716 and overlay deposit 723. It measured

contained post-medieval artefacts and has been interpreted as a tr

Deposit 715 was sealed by rubble levelling

containing residual 18th-century artefacts.

Deposit 704 was cut by a ditch 706 aligned parallel to the

century pottery was recovered. The function of this ditch remains uncer

rubble and concrete bedding layer 7

sandstone slabs 700.

The Finds and Palaeoenvironmental Evidence

Quantities of artefactual material were recovered from 95 deposits (

The finds

plaster, mortar, worked building stone, opus signinum, metal objec

waste and five copper alloy coins. Quantities of animal bone and mari

also recovered.

previous studies in the city (Bidwell and Croom 1999, 67–79; Brown 2

Much of the Roman and medieval material, which includes substantial

decorated floor tile, is re-deposited and occurs with later material.

Roman Pottery

Quantities of Roman pottery were recovered from 31 deposits, mainly within Trial

17


(HAR SH), Oxfordshire whiteware (OXF WH), including mortaria, and

oxidised ware (OXW1). Identifiable forms included a conical flanged b

rim dish in Dorset Black-Burnished ware (BB1SED), bodysherds from

beaker in New Forest colour-coated ware (NFO CC), everted rim

greyware/black sandy fabric (CRW), and bowls and mortaria in Oxf

slipped ware (OXF RS) or whiteware (OXF WH). A ring neck flagon, a t

dish and a curved sided bowl, all in a coarse reduced/black sandy ware

also recorded. Traded wares, including mortaria, Oxfordshire morta

vessels with upstanding rim and squat flange hooked under, and with up

and a squat flange (Young 1977, 77, type M22)), along with coarse war

imitating late Black Burnished ware fo

local coarse

owl and plain

an indented

jars in coarse

ordshire red-

riangular rim

(CRW) were

ria (including

standing rim

e bowl forms

rms, all date after c. 250-270 AD. The

presence of bodysherds in shell-tempered ware (HAR SH) suggest a date for this

2.47 26 within the

pit fill 582 (fill

e likely to be

orset Black-

ented fabrics

n period, and

essel forms of note include a bowl in a coarse reduced

sandy fabric from deposit 571, imitating a samian bowl form (Drag. 36). A vessel

osit 571 and

2.48 t listed, and

phorae from

566 and one

it 547). Sherds in Gaulish samian ware were recorded from

three deposits and identified as a South Gaulish decorated bowl (Drag. 37) from

layer 607, and a bodysherd (layer 566) and a mortarium (Drag. 45) from deposit

530, both of which are Central Gaulish. Further Central Gaulish samian sherds were

identified from layer 605, comprising a decorated bowl (Drag. 29 or Drag. 37) and an

unidentifiable chip.

group in the 4th century and probably after c. 350.

Small further quantities of Roman pottery were identified from layer 2

borehole in Trench 2, and from deposits 556, 570, 571, 597, 573 and

of 581) in Trench 5. With the possible exception of deposit 226, all ar

redeposited in medieval or later contexts. The fabrics recorded are D

Burnished ware (BB1SED), coarse reduced types (CRW), local oxidised ware (OX

W1) and Oxfordshire Red slipped ware (OXF RS). The range of repres

and vessel forms indicate that most material belongs to the late Roma

probably to the 4th century. V

sherd in Oxfordshire red slipped ware (OXF RS) was recorded from dep

is identified as mortarium with upright rim and angular flange (Young 1977, type

C100) dated to the 4th century AD.

A small number of pottery sherds were identified in fabrics not ye

including continental imports. Of note are a sherd from a Baetican Am

layer 566 and two sherds of un-sourced amphorae from the same layer

from deposit 549 (fill of p

18


2.49 dshire white-

a whiteware

eposit 543 (fill of pit 542),

and a bodysherd in white-slipped flagon fabric (FLA), from layer 611.

2.50 ould seem to

ingle deposit

h calcareous

o the 12th to

a further 11

or

pitcher sherd

th centuries.

A type coarseware were identified from layers 546 and 506 and

ditch fill 710 (fill of 706). A single glazed jug sherd, indentified as either Lacock,

et type, was recovered from deposit 566 and probably

2.51 46 deposits.

th and East

earthenware,

dshire yellow

s

and Chinese

re, including

w wares and

ottery is with

h, late within

medieval pottery. Included here is a group of 51 sherds from deposit 518 which

appears to be principally of later 16th or 17th-century date, including Somerset

(probably Wanstrow) glazed earthenwares and the neck and upper body of a

Frechen stoneware drinking jug. A small number of sherds in later types including

from a tin-glazed earthenware chamber-pot and a yellow slipware bowl suggest a

date for this context of no earlier than c. 1690.

Further, unrecorded types among re-deposited material include Oxfor

slipped ware mortaria (OXF WS) from deposit 524 and two sherds in

flagon fabric (FLA), one unstratified and the other from d

Medieval pottery

Very little pottery of medieval date was recovered and most material w

be re-deposited. Stratified medieval pottery was recorded from a s

consisting of a bodysherd in a coarse sandy cooking pot fabric wit

inclusions (Bath A type?) from deposit 541. This is dateable broadly t

14th centuries. Re-deposited medieval pottery was recorded from

deposits. Included among this group are two sherds in Tudor Green ware of 15th

16th-century date from deposits 715 and 516 and a Minety ware tripod

from layer 518, which probably dates of the 12th to earlier 13

Bodysherds of Bath

Nash Hill or South Somers

dates to the 14th century.

Post-medieval and modern pottery

Post-medieval and modern pottery types were recovered from

Recorded fabrics are green or clear glazed earthenwares of Sou

Somerset type, black-glazed earthenwares, tin-glazed

Bristol/Staffordshire mottled brown glazed earthenware, Bristol/Staffor

slipware and North Devon gravel-tempered ware. Imported types are present a

small quantities of Frechen stoneware and Westerwald stonewares

porcelain. Pottery of the modern date is identified as refined whitewa

creamware and transfer printed decorated ‘china’, Mocha type and yello

unglazed earthenware ‘flowerpot’. The focus for dating based on the p

the 18th to 19th centuries, with most material from inside of the churc

this range (Appendix B). Selected contexts from Trench 5 contain earlier post-

19


2.52 56, 571, 597

osited within

flue tile with

keying and bricks. A small quantity of opus signinum, a type of

hard mortar typically used for flooring and incorporating crushed fragments of brick

o noted.

2.53 stone with a

burnt stone

705 may be

edieval type. Short descriptions provided by Peter

Davenport are included in the finds concordance table (Appendix B). The

oarsenesses.

2.54 cribed to the

l features or

ern deposits.

egun c. 1090

gments from

ossible nook

ion (deposits

of which are

Norman dating. The largest fragment, which is partly burnt, features

Romanesque-style drapery and might derive either from a free-standing statue or

d

human (left) hand; its scale seemingly similar to the larger fragment and conceivably

from the same statue. The hand is sculpted partly open, suggesting it originally held

a sceptre or similar.

2.55 The remaining architectural stone is largely late Gothic/Perpendicular and of the

later medieval or early post-medieval period. There is a possibility that some relates

Roman Ceramic building material

Roman ceramic building material was recorded from four deposits 5

and 582 (fill of pit 581) and from two layers 226 and 569. Most is re-dep

later contexts, with the possible exception of 226 and 597. The classes identified

comprise flanged roofing tile (tegula), curved roofing tiles (imbrex), box

combed or scored

or tile, were als

Architectural stone

A total of 79 fragments of architectural stone or undressed building

further seven fragments of roofing stone and quantities of unworked,

were recovered. In addition a roughly-worked fragment from deposit

part of a stone sarcophagus of m

architectural stone described comprises Bath stone of varying c

Building stone includes fragments of lias.

At least six fragments from layers 506, 607, 618 and 705 can be as

Norman period based on a combination of Romanesque architectura

tooling typical for the period. All are re-deposited in post-medieval/mod

It is near certain that such pieces derive from the Norman cathedral b

and badly damaged by fire c. 1137. The Norman pieces include fra

attached column shafts (two fragments, deposit 607), a fragment of p

shaft (deposit 705) and two arch components with chevron-decorat

618, 705). Most significant are fragments from deposit 506 each

consistent with

part of a column capital with figural decoration. The second piece is a sculpte

20


to the present building, replaced during subsequent restorations. Identi

comprise mainly window elements including one Perpendicular w

(levelling layer 611), mullion and jamb fragments together with m

mouldings and painted pieces. A finely-worked fragment from demolitio

with cusped mouldings migh

fiable pieces

indow head

iscellaneous

n deposit 566

t be part of an elaborate tomb or decorated screen and

2.56 ding Carrara marble, were identified from two deposits,

levelling layers 504 and 655. Original used as parts of memorials a date no earlier

2.57 rubble deposit 575), for

is possible. Fragments with single nail/peg holes in coarse,

2.58 ieval type was recovered from 16 deposits, almost all

from Trench 5, and amounting to approximately 450 fragments. None of this material

n with pottery

2.59 fired to a red

ll only at the

over the clay

ale yellow over the infill. Reconstructable tiles from demolition deposit

d bevel to the

typically four

and broken’

2.60

tilery, thought to operate after c. 1290 to c. 1325 (Eames 1974, 144–5). A group

from Orange Grove, Bath (Bluer and Eames 1991, 14–26) from near the cathedral

east end was wholly of Nash Hill manufacture and is similar in character to the group

described here. A number of designs are recognisable all with origins with the

‘Wessex school’ and used widely from the mid 13th until well into the 14th century.

Most common are single tile designs equating to Eames’ Groups V and VII from

probably of early 16th-century date.

Fragments of marble, inclu

than the 18th century is probable.

Roofing stone includes fragments of Pennant sandstone (

which a Roman date

shelly limestone from rubble deposit 648 are medieval or later.

Decorated medieval floor tile

Decorated (inlaid) tile of med

was in situ and in most instances the tiles were recorded in associatio

of post-medieval date (Appendix B).

The decorated tiles all occur in a similar hard sandy fabric; typically

orange and with a dark grey core. Most often the glaze survives we

edges or over the pipeclay infill. The glaze is appears dark greenish

body and p

566 are 145mm sq and 20mm thick. There is a consistently pronounce

sides of all tiles. Keying is by means of deep, circular knife-cut scoops,

to each tile. A very few plain border tiles were noted; these of ‘scored

type.

The bulk of the tile can be ascribed with some confidence to the Nash Hill, Lacock

21


Nash Hill (Eames 1974: nos. 27/28, 49), with fewer four-tile or single-

patterns comparing to Eames’ Groups II and VI (ibid, nos 7–9, 42).

addition a small number of ‘scored and broken’ bo

tile repeating

There are in

rder tiles including examples with

octofoil or repeated circle motifs (ibid. Group VII: nos 53–54).

2.61 he Nash Hill

ed on single

p VI, no. 42),

Comparable

although the

bevel for the

difference being the white clay infill, which is pinkish compared with that of the Nash

would be required to determine the source for this material,

ed.

2.62 . 1580, was

ts, with only

y bowl forms

From each of

ose products

640 (Jackson

posit 517 is marked with the

initials GH. The style of this pipe is close to examples from Marlborough (Atkinson

ce 1974, 46).

fills 709/710

2.63 Four items of worked bone were recovered. A flat fragment of rib from rubble deposit

575 which has two rivet holes and is polished from use is identifiable as a stiffener

plate from a bone or composite bone/horn comb. It is undecorated, but features wide

and narrow spaced saw marks resulting from manufacture of the comb teeth. A later

Anglo-Saxon or medieval date is probable for this item.

A small number of decorated tiles were identified where attribution to t

tilery is uncertain. Several examples occur with repeating designs bas

tile units. These differ in detail to examples from Nash Hill (ibid: Grou

having diamond-shaped motifs set within the repeating arc design.

examples are known from Glastonbury Abbey (Lowe 2003, no. 201),

fabrics are dissimilar. The fabric, tile thickness, keying and angle of

tiles of uncertain source are each consistent with the Nash Hill tiles; the only

Hill. Further research

though a date range similar to that of the Nash Hill group can be assum

Clay tobacco pipe

A total of 164 fragments of clay tobacco pipe, all dateable after c

recovered from 22 deposits. The great majority consists of stem fragmen

10 complete or partially complete bowls noted. Mid/later 17th-centur

(Oswald 1974: types 4/5) were noted from layers 207, 304 and 517.

these deposits are marked examples of the maker Thomas Hunt, wh

are well known from Bath where they are thought to date as early as 1

and Price 1974, 50). One further stamped bowl from de

1965, 89), possibly the products of George Hillman (Jackson and Pri

Four unmarked spurred bowls (Oswald 1974: types 20/21) from ditch

(fill of feature 706) probably date to the first half of the 18th century.

Worked bone

22


2.64 edieval (18th

d bone disc,

3. The brush

t motifs and ‘silver wire’, probably

describing the use of metal wire holding in place the bristles.

2.65 nted to 102

sits 618 and

es matching

t most of the

ves from the barrel-vaulted wood and plaster ceiling

ed c. 1606–1611 and replaced in the late 19th century (pers comm.

Glass

2.66 Roman glass was identified from deposit 569 and consists of three fragments from a

Late Roman

2.67 lude possible

h rolled-over rim in natural

green glass which is unstratified. A much larger quantity of post-medieval and

dern glass was recovered (Appendix B). The majority consists of green or brown

gments and

2.68 he Roman period were recovered from three deposits. All

are heavily corroded, illegible and dateable only broadly. The earliest is dupondius

or as, which is a residual find from deposit 707 (fill of ditch 706) and which dates to

the 1st or 2nd centuries AD. A radiate from deposit 563 is dateable c. 260-290 AD.

The latest issue is a small bronze (nummus), from deposit 582 (fill of pit 581) and

dateable to the 4th century AD.

The remaining items comprise toothbrushes of well-known late post-m

or 19th-century) type from ditch fills 707 and 709 and a perforate

probably of post-medieval date from disturbed grave earth deposit 10

from deposit 707 is stamped with two dove-in-fligh

Plaster

Quantities of plaster were recorded from 24 deposits and amou

fragments. The large groups from grave earth 103, and rubble depo

648, preserve moulded features including ribs, and decorative ros

surviving ceiling structures in the present church. It is almost certain tha

material recorded deri

construct

Davenport).

thin-walled tableware vessel in greenish glass which is typical of the

period.

Fragments of Roman glass were residual from other deposits and inc

window glass, from deposits 545 and 572 and a vessel wit

mo

bottle glass datable after c. 1650. Post-medieval pharmaceutical flask fra

a stemmed drinking glass fragment (from layer 518) were also noted.

Coins

Coins in copper alloy of t

23


2.69 ny of George

another halfpenny from deposit 533, which is

illegible, but which probably dates after c. 1700.

2.70 782 grams,

The species

badger. The

d to species

and fish.

ll number of

Evidence of

was common

all site phases. The majority of the bones show evidence of ancient

breakage and cut and chop marks that are indicative of primary and secondary

butchery. In addition, there is also evidence in the post-medieval phases, of bone-

working on site.

3.

3.1 uctures from

to the 20th-

ting difficult.

y

les 6 and 7 has also impacted to a degree on the

comprehensibility of the deposits encountered. However, a generally clear and

istent stratigraphic sequence allows reference to previous interventions, the

ence of the

chaeological

Roman

3.2 Features or deposits of potential Roman date were identified in Trial hole 6.

Considerable quantities of residual Roman pottery was also recovered from

medieval and post medieval deposits in Trial hole 5. This is unsurprising given the

Post-medieval coins were also recovered and consisting of a halfpen

III, dated 1806 from deposit 652, and

Animal Bone by Andy Clarke

The animal bone assemblage consisted of 709 fragments weighing 7

with the majority from deposits dating to the post–medieval period.

identified were cattle, sheep/goat, pig, horse, dog, red deer and

remaining bone in the assemblage was too fragmented to be identifie

level and is classified as cow-size, sheep-size, goose-size, chicken-size

The assemblage is in a good state of preservation, excepting a sma

contexts where the bone surfaces have been obscured by concretion.

burning was rare, occurring in only four contexts. Canid gnawing

throughout

DISCUSSION

The evaluation has revealed a complex sequence of deposits and str

the Roman, Norman, medieval and post-medieval uses of the site. The potential

continuous occupation of the Abbey site from the Roman period through

century, with a process of re-use and adaptation, makes absolute da

The amount of intrusion from 18th-century cellars and 20th-century Abbe

extensions in Trial ho

cons

previously understood plan form of the Norman Abbey and the evid

standing buildings, to create a framework for understanding the ar

remains within the trial holes.

24


proximity of the site to the Roman bath complex; a shop and a pewter

Roman date were revealed in the 1994 excavations in the Abbey mu

west (P.Davenport pers.comm.). Many of these deposits contained so

Roman material, for example pit fill 569 contained 77 sherds of 4t

pottery. This suggests extensive truncation of in situ Roman deposits

potentially during medieval and post medieval

mould of late

seum to the

lely residual

h-century AD

in the vicinity,

building works, possibly resulting from

3.3 with a sandy

an podium,

uth-west of the Abbey (Mann

1900). However no artefactual dating was recovered from either surface.

3.4 Potential evidence for the reuse of existing foundations 625 of probable Norman

as revealed in Trial hole 6, and the reuse of Norman stone for construction of

3.5 in the 1490s,

attributed to

ged in more

limited areas of investigation do not allow for detailed

in Trial holes

val pits, dump and levelling

deposits were revealed in Trial hole 5.

3.6 h was partly

modelling of

the exterior southern abbey wall, 703, within the north cloister walk.

3.7 In Trial hole 5 a series of intercutting pits, bedding and levelling deposits of probable

medieval date underlay two mortar deposits 556 and 541 which contained medieval

pottery of 12th to 14th-century date in addition to residual Roman pottery and

ceramic building material. Layers 556 and 541 are thought to represent mortared

the extraction of building material.

Stone surface 636 (Trial hole 6) of irregular sandstone blocks bonded

mortar could potentially represent the rubble foundations for the Rom

associated with the Roman bath complex to the so

Stratigraphically, the surface pre-dates the Medieval Abbey wall.

Norman

date w

the pier foundation 305 was noted in Trial hole 3.

Medieval

Traditionally, the rebuilding of the Abbey is believed to have begun

following the apparent complete collapse of the Norman abbey, is

Bishop King (1496-1503), although this assertion has been challen

recent times (CA 2010c). The

dating, interpretation or phasing of the medieval fabric, however the lower potions of

the walls and foundations for the extant medieval abbey were recorded

1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 and a sequence of intercutting medie

Trial hole 3 revealed the foundations of the central aisle pier whic

constructed of reused Norman masonry. Trial hole 7 demonstrated re

25


surfaces, however they may also represent trampled building or demoli

Davenport pers. comm.). Many of these deposits contained solely Rom

for example levelling deposit 569 contained 77 sherds

tion waste (P.

an material,

of 4th-century AD pottery.

This suggests the truncation of in situ Roman deposits in the vicinity.

3.8 d

medieval pottery and floor tile fragments. However the inclusion of post-medieval

layers.

3.9 stone blocks

paving under

g

archaeological investigations in 1994 (P. Davenport pers. comm.), it is likely surface

rlying sand and gravel 723 represent the same medieval cloister

3.10 t-medieval deposits and structures were revealed around the periphery of the

d outside the

3.11 consisted of

o stone built

ial hole 4),

and a brick-lined tomb in the nave (Trial hole 3). The degree of truncation caused by

to be greater

of the lower

urvive in the

3.12 In Trial hole 5 all deposits to a depth of 1.75m BPGL were of post medieval date.

The earliest of these were series of post-medieval pits cut through a medieval

mortar surface 541 (Fig. 7). The pits were in turn overlain by a series of levelling

deposits beneath a bowling green surface 518, associated bank 538/525 and

retaining wall 514. Historical records suggest the bowling green was built in 1640

and continued in use until approximately 1690 as indicated, for example, on the

Overlying the mortar layers a series of dump deposits 546, 566 and 523 containe

pottery in these deposits would suggest these represent later demolition

Stone surface 717 in Trial hole 7 was constructed of irregular sand

bonded with a dirty sandy mortar. Of comparable level to the cloister

the Clergy Vestry recorded under the south wall of the Memorial Cloister durin

717 and the ove

paving.

Post-medieval

Pos

medieval Abbey (Trial holes 5, 6 and 7) and post medieval burials within the Abbey

itself (Trial holes 1, 2, 3 and 4). No in situ burials were encountere

Abbey.

Post-medieval burials were recorded in Trial holes 1, 2, 3 and 4. These

12 inhumations within wooden and lead coffins (Trial holes 1 to 4), tw

burial tombs within the southern transept (Trial hole 1) and chancel (Tr

the insertion of the burials in the nave appears (on limited evidence)

than that in the chancel and its aisles. This affects the preservation

layers and suggests the Norman Abbey floor surface may only s

chancel and south transept, not the nave.

26


Gilmore map of 1694 (Gilmore 1694). The bowling green was subseq

pits 519 and 521 and sealed by 1.75m of dump and

uently cut by

levelling deposits interpreted as

deliberate rising of the pavement level surrounding the Abbey.

3.13 ked doorway

625 as the

e depicted in

through and

r deposits in this area down to the level of the putative

Roman podium 636. Niches and ledges cut into the Abbey wall probably represent

3.14 bbey wall in

These works

xterior of the

nants of the

was visible to

he building of

the southern Abbey extension in the early 20th century. The construction cut

631/661 and

and integral

3.15 nted the final

of Bathstone

blocks upon arched brick foundations 619 and 639 revealed within the west and

south portions of the trial hole. A brick built heating duct 637 and pennant sandstone

floor 600 are believed to be contemporary. A similar pennant floor 700 was revealed

within Trial hole 7 in the choir vestry to the east, was underlain by concrete bedding

and rubble infill deposits, and is also thought to be contemporary with the extension.

A cellar wall 631/661 with pennant sandstone floor 627/651 and bloc

628 was identified in Trial hole 6 and utilised the southern Abbey wall

northern property boundary and probably represents the Georgian hous

a late 18th-century Turner watercolour (Turner 1796). The cellar cut

removed any earlier fabric o

internal structures within the cellar.

Upon the demolition of the Georgian properties butting the southern A

the 1830s the exterior of the Abbey underwent extensive restoration.

included the construction of a ‘moat’ around a large proportion of the e

Abbey (and still extant around the eastern end of the Abbey). The rem

moat wall 614/613 were revealed in Trial hole 6. A robber trench 641

the south of the wall suggesting it was demolished sometime prior to t

620/646 for the moat wall 614/613 truncated the Georgian cellar wall

rubble cellar infill deposits. A contemporary concrete floor surface 609

drain 615 butted the moat wall to the north.

The construction of the Southern Abbey extension in the 1920s represe

phase of structures and deposits recorded within Trial hole 6 and show a clear

change in foundation form. The walls of the extension are constructed

27


4. CA PROJECT TEAM

x Wilkinson,

, John Boon,

eynish, Andy

, Jess Cook,

y Holt,

e illustrations

epared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Ray Holt, and

prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by

ASI (ASI Heritage Consultants) 2005 Abbey Church of St Peter, Bath. Archaeological

cco pipes and pipemakers of Marlborough’, Wilts Archaeol.

Natur. Hist Soc. Mag. 60, 85–95

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2010

d 16 March 2011

Fieldwork was undertaken by Ray Holt, assisted by Mark Brett, Ale

Rebecca Riley, Dave Parry, Jeffrey Nicholls, Dan Sausins, John Pick

Luke Brannlund, Meirion Prysor, Mark Middleton, Andy Loader, Sian R

Donald, Hazel O’Neil, Lucy Maynard, Iza Romanowska, Donal Lucey

Charlotte Haines and Anthony Beechey. The report was written by Ra

assisted by Peter Davenport, Rebecca Riley and Charlotte Haines. Th

were pr

Simon Cox.

5. REFERENCES

assessment of the floor structure.

Atkinson, D.R. 1965 ‘Clay toba

http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html. Accesse

’, in Davenport 1999, 67–79.

Brow e and Jordan 2007, 34–49.

st Somerset.

Writ vestigation for an Archaeological Evaluation.

r and Paul). ical Desk-Based Assessment

Davenport, P. 1999, ‘Archaeology in Bath Excavations 1984–1989’, Brit. Archaeol. Rep.

British Series 284.

Davenport, P. (ed.) 1991 Archaeology in Bath 1976–1985 Oxford, Oxford University

Committee for Archaeology Monog. 28

Bidwell, P.T. and Croom, A.T. 1999, ‘The Roman pottery

n, L. 2007, ‘Early Roman pottery’, in Davenport, Pool

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Bath Abbey, Bath, Bath and North-Eaten Scheme of In

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010c Bath Abbey (the parish church of St PeteBath. Update of an Archaeolog

28

© Cotswold Archaeology

29

Bath Abbey, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation

Dav n at the new

e Spa), and Bellott’s Hospital 1998–1999, Oxford Archaeology

monograph 3, Oxford.

–45

Jackson, R.G. and Price, R.H. 1974 Bristol Clay Pipes: a study of makers and their marks

Lowe, B.J. 2003 Decorated Medieval Floor Tiles of Somerset Taunton, Somerset Natural

s in Bath,

Antiquaries library, London.

shire

Bluer, R.V. and Eames, E.A. 1991 ‘Floor Tiles’, in Davenport 1991, 14–26. In the published

edition an unfortunate typographical error gives Oliver for Bluer

xfordshire Roman pottery, Brit. Archaeol. Rep. 43.

Gilmore, J. 1694 The City of Bath (London). Engraved map, private collection

Turner, J.M.W. 1796 The West Front of Bath Abbey. Watercolour held in the Holbourne

Museum

enport, P., Poole, C. and Jordan, D. 2007, Archaeology in Bath excavatio

Royal Baths (th

Eames, E.A. 1974 ‘The Tiles’, in McCarthy, 131

Bristol City Museum: Research Monograph No. 1

History Society and Somerset County Council

Mann, R. 1900 Roman Bath. A portfolio of coloured drawings of the excavation

1878-96, held in the Society of

McCarthy, M. R. 1974 ‘The medieval kilns on Nash Hill, Lacock, Wiltshire’, Wilt

Archaeol. Natur. Hist. Soc. 69, 97–160

Young, C.J. 1977, O

Cartographic sources:



APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

rench 1 pe on Len

)W th (m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

TNo. Ty Descripti gth

(m id

100 Layer 0.10 Ledger flooring

101 Layer eposit .00 2. 0.10 Pale grey concrete bedding d 2 00

102 Layer cretion .00 2.00 0.45 Hard grey sandy con 2

103 Layer brown sand 0 1.00 1.00 C19 Disturbed grave earth, mid 1.5

104 Mason facing sandstone wall .0 0.18 ry South >1 0

105 Deposi y brown sandy silt deposit .0 >0 0 2.00 t Loose gre >2 0 .6

106 Coffin .8 >0 0 >0.20 Lead coffin >0 0 .4

107 Coffin >0.8 >0 5 >0.10 Lead coffin 0 .1

108 offin 0.80 >0 >0.10 C Lead coffin > .15

109 Mason wall, organ duct 2.0 0.62 0.76 ry N-S brick and sandstone > 0

110 Mason rn wall of Abbey south >1.80 0.63 ry N-S sandstone wall, eastetransept

111 Cut N-S foundation trench for 109 >2.00 0.70 0.76

112 Deposit w brown sand backfill of 111 .00 0.70 0.76 Yello >2

113 Deposit wn sand, in situ grave earth 0.25 Mid bro

Tre

pe n(m)

W th (m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

nch 2 No. Ty Description Le gth id

200 Layer 0.90 0.07 Ledger flooring

201 Layer ore bedding de osit 2.70 1.65 0.10 Light grey mortar and hardc p

202 Mason ting ry Sandstone and lime concrete floor hea duct

203 Layer t 65 0.42 Light grey concrete backfill deposi 1.

204 Layer 0.10 Crushed stone bedding deposit

205 Layer elling deposit 0.23 Mid grey mortar lev

206 Layer Crushed limestone make-up deposit 0.14

207 Layer Brown grey sandy silt, disturbed grave fill eposit 2.50 1.50 C19 d

208 Layer Brown orange sandy gravel levelling depo t 0.30 0.39 si

209 Layer epo t 73 0.08 Brown orange sandy gravel levelling d si 0.

210 Layer ey mortar surface Brown gr

211 Layer mortar surface 0.70 0.25 0.16 Brown grey

212 Masonry Stone lined grave

213 Coffin Lead coffin

214 Coffin n Lead coffi

215 Cut E-W construction cut for heating conduit 202 1.16 0.70

216 Cut Cut for 212

217 Cut Cut for coffin 213

218 Cut Cut for coffin 214

219 Layer In situ grave earth deposit

220 Cut Limit of disturbance associated with construction of C19 ledger floor

1.60

Borehole

221 Layer Loose grey brown clay silt, in situ grave earth. Same as 219

0.95 POST-MED

222 Layer Firm grey brown clay silt, in situ grave earth 0.56

223 Layer Loose grey brown silty sand 0.43

30


yer ilty clay 0.07 224 La Dark brown grey s

225 Layer y clay Light grey brown silt 0.05

226 Layer rown silty clay 0.37 C2-C4 Dark grey b

227 Layer Light brown sand

228 Masonry Southern Abbey wall

Tre

pe n)

W th (m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

nch 3 No. Ty Description Le gth

(mid

300 Masonry Ledger flooring >2.00 0.90 0.13

301 Layer 0 2.0 0. Lime mortar bedding for 30 > 0 90 0.07

302 Layer egate b 2.00 0.90 0.37 Lime based mortar and stone aggr eddinglevelling deposit

>

303 Layer Yellow brown sand levelling deposit 0. 0.28 POST-MED

90

304 Layer y silty sand, disturbed grave earth >2.00 0.90 1.50 C19 Yellow gre

305 Mason medieval pillar 0. 0.76 POST-MED

ry Footing for 88

306 Cut Limit of disturbance associated with construc .00 >0 1.50 tion of C19 ledger floor

>2 .90

307 Masonry Brick lined grave .2 C18-EC19

>1

308 Layer Coarse orange sand mortar levelling depo .08 >0 6 POST-MED

sit >1 .2

309 Coffin wooden coffin >0.3 >0 0.1 Lead lined .3

310 Cut Construction cut for 307 >0.55 >0.35 >0.26

311 Layer wn silty sand, in situ grave earth Light bro

312 Coffin Wooden coffin .00 >0 >1 .10

313 Layer rface Stone su

TrNo. T

ench 4 pe gth

) W(m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

y Description Len(m

idth

400 Layer r flooring 40 1.05 0.16 Ledge 2.

401 Layer Hard grey mortar bedding layer for 400 .40 1.05 0.09 2

402 Layer ling deposit 34 1.05 0.52 POST-MED

Grey concrete level 1.

403 Layer h 40 1. C18-C19

Mid brown silt, disturbed grave eart 2. 05

404 Mason ete floored he duc 05 0.93 0.67 ry Sandstone walled and concr ating t 1.

405 Coffin 26 0.34 0.20 Lead coffin 0.

406 Coffin en coffin 0.56 0.33 0.20 Studded wood

407 Layer mortar 0.40 0.18 Lens of grey yellow

408 Deposi 0.3 0.15 t Patch of grey yellow mortar

409 Deposi it, same as 4 0. t Grey concrete levelling depos 02 35 0.7

410 Cut E-W linear construction cut for 404 1.04 1.05 0.18

411 Coffin Fragmentary wooden coffin 0.46 0.40

412 Layer Rubble levelling dumped deposit 0.42 0.26 0.10

413 Masonry Northern Abbey wall >1.00 1.15

414 Masonry Limestone footing for 413 >1.00 >0.57

415 Cut Limit of disturbance associated with construction of C19 ledger floor

416 Layer Mid brown silt layer, in situ grave earth >2.2 >0.9 >0.11 POST-

31


MED

417 Coffin wooden casket 19 0.30 Lead lined 0.

418 Coffin Wooden casket 0.45 0.24

Boreholes

419 Layer nd 0.38 Grey yellow silty sa

420 Layer 0.05 Mid Brown sandy silt

421 Layer Grey yellow silty sand 0.25

422 Deposi surface encountered during boreholi t Solid ng

ench 5

pe Len(m)

W th (m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

TrNo. Ty Description gth id

500 Layer xisting paving slabs 0.27 Bedding layer for e

501 Layer 0.23 Dark grey levelling deposit

502 Layer 0.34 Yellowish-grey levelling deposit

503 Layer 0.20 Dark grey levelling deposit

504 Layer y levelling deposit 0.16 C18 Yellowish-gre

505 Layer lling deposit 0.08 Dark grey leve

506 Layer t to raise g ≤0.20 LC18-C19

Yellowish-grey make-up deposi round

507 Fill Rubble fill of cut 579 1. 0.40 04

508 Fill Rubble fill of cut 580 >1 0.44 .06

509 Deposi 0.90 >0 0.40 t Rubble dumped deposit > .50

510 Masonry Garden wall, single course, re-used stone 1.95 ≤0.34 0.13 >

511 Deposi osit to NW of wall 510 C18-C19

t Brownish-grey dep

512 Deposi eposit behind w t Greyish-brown dumped d all 510

513 Deposit d deposit 0. C16-C18

Mid yellowish-brown dumpe 1.38 56

514 Wall tone wall 2.0 0. ≤1.03 N-S limes > 0 34

515 Deposit Mid grey levelling layer >4.20 ≤0.64 LC17-C18

516 Layer llow trampled mortar layer 1.9 ≤0.12 C17-C18

Light ye > 0

517 Layer y rubble-rich levelling deposit 1.14 0.08 LC17-C18

Mid gre

518 Layer Dark grey layer 2. 0.30 LC17-C18

92

519 Cut Small pit cut into 518 0. 0.24 44

520 Fill Fill of pit 519 0. 0.24 44

521 Cut Small pit cut into 518 0. 0.26 52

522 Fill Fill of pit 521 0. 0.26 52

523 Layer 1.90 0.16 POST-MED

Mid brown clay layer

524 Deposi bundant painted tile nt 1.9 C16-C18

t Rubble-rich deposit, a fragme s 0 0.26

525 Deposit Orange-brown clay bank material >1.80 1. 0.20 POST-MED

15

526 Deposit Mid grey dumped deposit at eastern end of trench 0.67 ≤0.06 C17-C18

527 Fill Limestone rubble backfill of construction cut 528 0.53 0.32 C18

528 Cut Robber cut for upper courses of 514 0.53 0.32

529 Deposit Mid grey rubble deposit ≤0.44 0.30

530 Deposit Dark grey rubble-rich deposit 0.48 ≥0.36 POST-MED C18?

531 Fill Clay backfill of construction cut 532 0.05 0.18 C18

32


14 0. 0.18 532 Cut Construction cut for 5 05

533 Deposi osit LC18-C19

t Black rubble dumped dep

534 Deposi 1.32 <0.10 POST-MED

t Dark brown grey silty sand deposit

535 Deposi de 2.30 0.26 MC17-C18

t Light brown mortar and rubble dumped posit

536 Deposi r and rubble, bank m 24 0.28 C18 t Grey brown silt, morta aterial 1.

537 VOID

538 Deposi 1.8 1. C17-C18

t Grey brown clay bank material > 0 50 0.40

539 Deposi >1 0.04 t Light yellow grey sand .80

540 Deposit ke-up deposit .80 0.16 0.05 POST-MED

Dark brown grey clay ma >1

541 Deposi >5.9 >1 <0.10 C12-C14

t Light yellow mortar floor surface 2 .80

542 Cut Irregularly shaped pit cut into 541 >1 .60 0.45

543 Fill l of 542 08 C14+ Grey brown silt, primary fil 0. 0.37

544 Fill Dark grey brown silt, secondary fill of 542 1.44 0.11 C18

545 Deposi ole) 0.10 POST-MED

t Yellow brown gravel (boreh

546 Layer ravel deposit 1. 0.10 POST-MED

Green grey sandy g 51

547 Cut Irregularly shaped pit cut into 566 >1.80 >1 8 0.34 .0

548 Fill dary fill of 547 1.8 >1 8 0.20 POST-MED

Dark grey clay, secon > 0 .0

549 Fill Dark brown clay, fill of 547 MED

550 Fill Light yellow silt, fill of 547

551 Fill Grey brown clay, primary fill of 547

552 Layer 0.81 1. 0.15 Orange sandy gravel surface 53

553 Layer dding deposit 34 0.85 0.11 POST-MED

Grey brown silty sand be 1.

554 VOID

555 Deposi ey brown sandy silt deposit t Compact, light gr

556 Deposi r deposit 0.09 C2-C4 t White grey sandy silt floo

557 Deposi y sand surface RB t Compact, yellow white silt

558 Cut Small posthole cut into 561 0.25 0.17

559 Fill of 559 0. Grey silty sand fill 25 0.17

560 Cut Small pit cut into 541 >0.50 >0 0.29 .26

561 Fill Grey sandy silt fill of 560

562 Layer d deposit 1.44 0.40 MED Grey yellow sand dumpe

563 Deposi 0 LC3-C4 t Light yellow sand dumped deposit 0.9 0.30

564 Fill Grey brown silt and rubble fill of 565 0.82 0.36

565 Cut Cut of robber pit 0.82 0. 0.30 83

566 Layer 2.20 22 POST-MED

Rubble demolition deposit 0.

567 Layer deposit 1.00 0.10 RB? Brown orange silt levelling

568 Deposi velling deposit RB? t Mid brown sand le

569 Layer brown sand levelling deposit 2.0 >1 9 0.48 C4 Dark grey > 8 .4

570 Deposit Black brown sand lense 0.02 LC3-C4

571 Deposit Mid grey clay dumped deposit C4

572 Deposit Light yellow sandy mortar with limestone blocks 1.00 0.39 0.38 RB

573 Deposit Mid grey clay dumped deposit, same as 571 LC3-C4

574 Layer Compact mid orange gravel bedding deposit >2.08 >1.49 0.04

575 Deposit Brown grey clay and rubble deposit MED

576 Deposit Thin white mortar deposit

577 Cut Pit cut into 571 0.30 >0.21

33


n clay fill of 577 0.30 >0.21 578 Fill Mid brow

579 Cut Pit cut into 508 1.02 0.48

580 Cut Pit cut into 502 1.04 0.22

581 Cut 10 0.60 <0.18 Pit 1.

582 Fill Light grey sand, primary fill of 581 04 0.60 <0.17 C4 1.

583 Fill y fill of 581 1.10 0.60 <0.03 Grey brown clay, secondar

584 Deposi g deposit 1.20 0.74 t White grey gravel levellin

585 Layer eposit 1.76 0.16 Yellow brown sand levelling d

586 Layer 1.76 0.16 Mid orange sand levelling deposit

587 Layer 1.68 0.22 Grey brown sand demolition deposit

588 Deposi clay dumped deposit 1.38 0.30 t Brown grey

589 Fill Yellow brown mortar and rubble, primary fill of 565 0.86 0.26

590 Fill Yellow brown sand and rubble fill of 565 1.36 0.48

591 Cut Large stepped pit 1.84 1.22

Borehole

592 Deposi 0.18 t Red brown clay with pebbles

593 Deposi al flecks 0.30 t Grey brown sand with charco

594 Deposi w brown sand 0.22 t Mottled grey brown and yello

595 Deposi 0.07 t Dark red brown silt with charcoal flecks

596 Deposit Yellow brown sand with charcoal flecks 0.14

597 Deposi rey sand with CBM fragments 0.26 RB t Mid g

598 Deposit Dark brown clay with charcoal flecks 0.09

599 Deposi rown clay with charcoal flecks 0.06 t Yellow b

Trench 6

n)

W th (m

Depth (m)

Spot-date

No. Type Description Le gth (m

id)

600 Layer 66 0. 0.05 Concrete slab 3. 40

601 Layer 66 0. 0.15 Concrete and hardcore 3. 40

602 Layer emolition dep 42 1.10 0.25 C19 Grey black clay and rubble, d osit 1.

603 Deposi rtar lense 70 0.40 0.05 t Grey white limestone mo 1.

604 Layer ition deposit 73 3.68 0.11 MOD Mid brown clay demol 3.

605 Layer sit 73 3.68 0.09 MOD Black clay levelling depo 3.

606 Layer ng deposit 73 3. C18-EC19

Orange brown silty clay levelli 3. 68 0.22

607 Layer ing deposit 68 2.63 0.15 MOD Black clay and rubble levell 3.

608 Deposi ay trampled deposit 90 0.83 0.09 t Dark brown cl 1.

609 Layer 90 1.70 0.04 Black concrete surface 1.

610 Layer layer 90 1. 0.07 Orange brown clay bedding 1. 70

611 Layer gravel levelling deposit 90 0.85 0.24 POST-MED

Grey limestone 1.

612 Deposi velly silt deposit 85 0. 0.22 t Dark blue black gra 0. 45

613 Mason ock wall 1.21 0.51 0.32 ry Limestone bl

614 Mason 66 0.80 0.47 ry Limestone block wall 3.

615 Mason on grill, drain 65 0.42 0.17 ry Limestone block wall with ir 0.

616 Deposit Black grey clay demolition deposit 0.59 0.40 0.64 C16-C18

617 Deposit Dark brown silty clay 1.31 0.42 0.08

618 Deposit Yellow grey silt with rubble 2.80 1.68 0.78 C18-C19

619 Masonry Red brick vaulting 1.05 0.57

620 Cut Construction cut for wall 614 >4.00 0.15 0.45

621 Fill Black silt and rubble backfill of 620 >4.00 0.15 0.45

34


si ble demolition deposi >2.5 1.20 622 Depo t Red grey silt and rub t 0

623 Mason >5.00 ry E-W limestone wall of abbey

624 Mason 1.10 0.22 ry Pennant sandstone capping of wall 625

625 Mason footing wall 10 1.32 ry Roughly built E-W limestone wall – s for 623

1.

626 Deposi n silt demolition deposit 9 1.16 0.23 t Mortar rich grey brow 2.0

627 Mason or 12 1.24 0.05 ry Pennant sandstone flo 2.

628 Mason >1 1 0.58 ry Blocked opening in wall 631 .2

629 Cut Construction cut for drain 615 0.65 0.42 0.31

630 Deposi of wall 625 >1 6 >0.94 t Lime render on south face .1

631 Mason .4 >1.16 ry N-S wall butting wall 625, same as 661 >2

632 Layer ng for floor 627 .5 >0 4 0.07 Sandy mortar beddi >1 4 .7

633 Layer h 632 .1 >0 5 0.21 Sand bedding beneat >2 .5

634 Layer r bedding beneath wall 625 >0 5 0.04 Lime morta .9

635 Layer neath 634 1.5 >0 4 0.06 Sand levelling be > 4 .7

636 Mason stone block surface >1.5 >0 4 ry Irregular 4 .7

637 Masonry Red brick conduit >5.10 0.45 0.59

638 Cut Construction cut for 637 1.2 0.52 0.46 > 2

639 Masonry Red brick arch 0.98 0.40

640 Mason wall 1923 ry Standing sandstone

641 Cut Cut of robber trench 0.77 0.52

642 Fill Orange brown clay fill of 641 0.32 0.21

643 Fill Light blue grey clay fill of 641 0.41 0.20

644 Fill Brown grey sand fill of 641 0. 0.36 77

645 Deposi bedding fo 1.2 0. t Orange brown sand and rubble r 638 > 4 47 0.47

646 Cut Construction cut for 613 1.06 0.19 0.81

647 Deposi 46 06 0.19 0.81 t Grey brown clay backfill of 6 1.

648 Deposi le, same as 618 0.78 POST-MED

t Yellow grey silt with rubb

649 Layer lition deposit 1.49 1.06 0.54 POST-MED

White grey mortar rich demo

650 VOID

651 Mason 0.1 0.14 0.04 ry Pennant sandstone flagstone surface > 5

652 Deposi 7 0.25 0.02 C19 t White grey mortar bedding layer 0.4

653 Deposi 651 61 0.47 0.10 t Mid grey mortar bedding layer for 0.

654 Deposi y silt and rubble fill of vault .96 0.51 t Brown gre 0

655 Deposi 0.96 0.59 C18-C19

t Dark grey sand levelling deposit

656 Deposi levelling depo 5 0.67 0.16 t Brown orange sandy gravel sit 0.9

657 Deposi ortar bedding layer 1 0.95 0.62 0.05 t Grey white sand and m for 65

658 Layer e surface 0.12 >0 1 0.04 Irregular limeston > .1

659 Deposi ng depo 7 0.12 0.01 t Brown orange sandy gravel levelli sit 0.1

660 Deposi 2 0.95 0.36 C18 t Black brown silt 1.7

661 Masonry N-S limestone block wall, same as 631 >0.80 0.17

662 Masonry Rough limestone footing for 661 >1.72 >0.08 >0.37

663 Deposit White mortar capping applied to 624 >1.10 >0.20 0.14

664 Deposit Mid grey render applied to 623 >1.10 0.96

665 Cut Construction cut for 662 0.76 0.05 0.36

666 Fill Black grey silt and rubble backfill of 665 >0.76 >0.05

667 Deposit Brown yellow sand levelling deposit >0.76 >0.68

35


for 619 1.05 0.57 668 Cut Construction cut

669 Cut Construction cut for 639 0.18 0.44

Trench 7

pe n)

W th (m)

Depth (m)

Spot-date

No. Ty Description Le gth (m

id

700 Layer 22 2.10 0.06 Pennant sandstone floor 2.

701 Layer Grey cement bedding layer for 700 2.22 2.10 0.05

702 Layer Limestone and brick fragments in concrete - 0.15 , makeup layer for 700

2.22 2.10

703 Mason abbey 2.20 >0 >1.47 ry South facing limestone block wall of > .25

704 Layer ay with rubble levelling t 2.0 0.33 Dark green grey cl deposi > 0

705 Layer , backfill and levelling de 2.0 1.50 C18 Limestone rubble posit > 0

706 Cut Ditch cut into 705 >2.0 1. 0.90 0 5

707 Fill 06 2.00 1. 0.21 C19 Green grey clay fill of 7 > 50

708 Fill Dark grey clay fill of 706 >2.0 1. 0 30 0.15

709 Fill Yellow grey sand sill of 706 >2.00 1. 0.22 LC18-C19

00

710 Fill Dark grey black clay fill of 706 >2.00 0.60 0.30 C19

711 Fill Dark blue grey clay and rubble fill of 706 1.20 0.50 0.40 POST-MED

>

712 Deposi rtar du deposit

00 0. t Limestone blocks in brown grey mo mped 1. 56

713 Mason mortar addition to off 703 >0.4 0.10 0.08 ry Limestone block and set of 0

714 Deposi y, de on 10 0. t Fragments of plaster in grey black cla molitideposit

2. 86

715 Deposi pled la 10 1.86 POST-MED

t Brown yellow sand and gravel, tram yer 2.

716 Mason 24 10 0.17 ry Single course footing for 7 2.

717 Layer 723 10 1.86 0.10 Surface of limestone blocks within in 2.

718 Layer 78 0.02 Mortar base layer for 716 0.

719 Cut Shallow construction cut for 716, cut into 7 10 0.42 0.19 23 2.

720 Deposit Dark grey mortar dump on 724 0.28 0.12 0.03

721 Deposit Pink white remnant mortar on 703 2.15 0.01 0.28

722 Deposit Yellow grey patches of remnant mortar on 703 0.35 0.01 0.05

723 Deposit Yellow orange sand and gravel surface surrounding 717

2.10 1.86 0.10

724 Masonry Ashlar block facing addition to 703 2.20 0.10 0.27

36



APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

s Count Weight(g) Date Context Artefact class NoteUs CBM Pmed flat 11 351 - y tobacco p 1 2 Cla ipe 0 33 Glass 1 175 Mortar mod

ottery merset g ed 2 73 Post-med/ ern Refined white ware, South So

plaz

earthenware ry White flagon fabric, coarse reduced wa 2 25 Roman potte re 2 90 Shell 103 dieval floor tile: Nash Hill 1 55 C19 CBM Decorated me ? p 2 9 Clay tobacco ipe stems Iron 2 34 object 5 43 Glass ouldi 25 - Plaster m ng Ceiling vault fragments Post-med/modern Clear glazed earthenware, tin glazed earthenwa 6 163

pottery re,

porcelain, Roman pottery fabri 1 Coarse reduced ware/black sandy c 12 1 52 Shell stone 2 47 d bone Bone disc 1 2 Worke207 ay tobacco p Stems; bowls (makers stamp: Thomas Hunt: c. 10 29 C19 Cl ipe

1640–1696)

ect 2 22 Copper Alloy

Obj

Iron object 6 186 14 348 Glass plaster 2 32 ost-med/mod d earthenware, English stonew

ware, Mocha ware, refined ed earthenware, Somerset

glazed earthenware

19 442 P ern Tin glazepottery

are, Westerwald stonewhiteware, unglaz

Roma cbm imbrex 1 70 n Shell 5 145 Slag Ironworking slag 2 277 Slate 1 49 e Bath stone : building stone 2 - building ston221 bacco p stems 2 6 POST-MED Clay to ipe Lead object 21 211 Stone 1 25222 Lead object 1 14 224 1 Mortar 3 225 CBM misc 1 1 - Iron Nail 1 4 1 8 Lead object Mortar 1 5 226 oman cbm Roof tile tegula 4 45 R ottery Dorset Black-Burnished ware 1 4 C2-C4 Roman p Stone 2 - 303 Post-med/mod rn English stoneware 1 11 POST-MED e

pottery 304 Burnt stone 1 116 C19 CBM Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill; Pmed brick 12 1684 Clay tobacco pipe Stems; bowl (Thomas Hunt: c. 1640–1696) 9 29 Clinker 5 33 Coal 2 17 Copper Alloy

Object 2 9

Glass 15 434 Lead object 1 66 Mortar 35 1548

37



Conte s Count Weight(g) Date xt Artefact clas Notes t-med/mod

pottery toneware,

ed whiteware, yellow a ware,

Bristol/Staffordshire yellow slipware

14 211 Pos ern Tin glazed earthenware, Frechen sglazed earthenware, refinglazed earthenware, Moch

Roman cbm 1 243 Shel 6 161 l Slag Ironworking slag 13 792 Stone 1 164 building stone stone/lias: Misc dressed 13 Bath - 305 d

1 POST-MED Post-med/mo ern

pottery11

307 CBM 1 3018 C18-EC19 Pmed brick 308 p wl 9 23 C18+ Clay tobacco ipe Stems; bo402 1 POST-MED Iron 25 Lead 1 31 Post-med/modern Refined whiteware 1 4

pottery 403 CBM 3 185 C18-C19 Pmed brick bacco p stems 4 14 Clay to ipe Glass 3 226 Post-med/mod rn German stoneware, Somerset glazed e henwa

ed whiteware, tin glazed earthenwa5 71 e

pottery art re,

refin re Shell 1 12 Wall plaster 5 237 e 2 180 building ston416 Burnt flint 1 5 POST-MED p 2 17 Clay tobacco ipe Stem; bowl Glass 10 29 504 CBM d brick 3 229 C18 Pme Clay tobacco p 6 ipe stems 20 Glass 1 4 13 303 Mortar d

tte3 31 Post-med/mo

poern ry

Tin glazed earthenware

stone ble frag 1 61 Mar er 1 10 Wall plast 506 CBM Pmed brick 4 LC18-C19 1087 Clay tobacco p 1 ipe bowl 11 Medieval pottery Bath A coarse ware 1 17 Post-med/modern

pottery enware, tin glaze

earthenware, refined white ware, Englis14 440 Somerset glazed earth d

h stoneware

e Bath stone: statuary fragments; column or moulding

3 - Building ston

511 Post-med/mod ef whit 5 28 LC18-C19 ern Staffordshire/Bristol yellow slipware, rware, pottery

ined e

513 Post-med/modpottery

1 40 C16-C18 ern Somerset glazed earthenware

1 14 Shell 515 BM le: Nash Hill 5 239 LC17-C18 C Decorated medieval floor ti y tobacco p 9 28 Cla ipe stems Glass 10 238 1 662 Mortar Post-med/mod

pottery re, Frechen stoneware, tin glazed

earthenware, Somerset glazed earthenware, unglazed earthenware, porcelain, North Devon gravel-tempered ware

27 475 ern English stonewa

Roman pottery Oxfordshire red-slipped ware, Coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabric imitation BB1

2 37

Shell 12 98 Slag Ironworking slag 2 37 Plaster 3 48 building stone Bath stone: window mullion (elongated ogee

moulding); misc moulding 2 291

38



nte s Notes Coun ht(g) Date Co xt Artefact clas t Weig516 o p 1 5 C17-C18 Clay tobacc ipe stem 3 6 Glass tte 1 4 Medieval po ry Tudor Green Post-med/mod rn

potteGerman stoneware, unglazed earthenw ‘flow

merset glazed earthenware 4 118 e

ry pot’, Soare er

517 Burnt 1 37 LC17-C18 stone M 2 79 CB ?Roman misc. o p ls (maker stamps Thomas Hunt: c.

er 1656 24 Clay tobacc ipe Stems; bow

1640–1696; George Hillman?: aft 0) ss 1 3 Gla Medieval potte Bath A coarse ware 1 ry 5 od re, mottled brown

earthenware 9 234 Post-med/m

pottery ern Somerset glazed earthenwa

518 Burnt stone 1 144 LC17-C18 rated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 3 124 CBM Deco p 22 30 Clay tobacco ipe stems Iron 1 14 Nail 4 36 Glass l potte ty ware 2 15 Medieva ry Mine ost-med/mod stoneware, Somerset glazed e henwa

d earthenware, Staffordshire/Bristol nware

51 1034 P ern Frechenblack glazepottery

art re,

yellow slipware, tin glazed earthe bm 6 176 Roman c Brick; misc. 3 65 Shell 2 202 Slag Ironworking slag ter 1 44 Wall plas 523 ated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill/other 98 POST-MED CBM Decor 5379 Post-med pot re 1 Somerset glazed earthenwa 10 3 94 Roman cbm ottery et Black-Burnished re,

y fabri4 45 Roman p Local oxidized, Dors wa

Coarse reduced ware/black sand c one 1 - building st Bath stone 524 Burnt stone 1 69 C16-C18 CBM Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 134 8990 Medieval potte Minety ware 1 89 ry pot rthenware 1 21 Post-med Somerset glazed ea Roman cbm 13 Flue tile; misc. 1506 Roman pottery white slipped ware, Dorset Black-

ware 3 78 Oxfordshire

Burnished Shell 1 72 525 Roman CBM Flue tile; misc. 2 38 POST-MED Glass 1 18 st-med pot Somerset glazed earthenware 1 7 Po526 pot ed earthenware 2 55 C17-C18 Post-med Somerset glaz527 Glass 2 34 C18 1 31 Post-med pot Frechen stoneware 530 CBM Misc. 1 54 POST-MED

C18?

Roman

1 2 Copper Alloyobject

Glass 2 7 Post-med pot ware 1 Tin glazed earthen 9 ottery ck-Burnished ware, CG Samian ware

mortarium, local oxidized ware 5 91 Roman p Dorset Bla

Vitrified clay 1 167 wall plaster 1 45 531 Glass 3 5 C18 Post-med/modern

pottery Tin-glazed earthenware, Somerset glazed earthenware

3 34

Roman pottery Dorset Black-Burnished ware 1 47 533 Coin Copper-alloy halfpenny; illeg. 1 8 LC18-C19 Iron object 1 10 Post-med pot Refined whiteware 8 523

39



nte Coun (g) Date Co xt Artefact class Notes t Weight534 cco p 1 POST-MED Clay toba ipe 7 Post-med pot re 1 Somerset glazed earthenwa 26 535 Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 1 137 MC17-C18 CBM y tobacco p stems 2 14 Cla ipe A Object Pin 1 1 Cu Iron 1 39 Nail Glass 2 10 Post-med/mod

potteryre 2 ern

Tin glazed earthenwa 32

building stone 1 371 536 Green, wine/spirits bottle glass 1 109 MC17-C18 Glass Post-med pot 2 22 538 p 3 C17-C18 Clay tobacco ipe stems 15 Iron Nail 1 8 d pot Somerset glazed earthenware 1 19 Post-me540 M Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 114 0 POST-MED CB 20 9 Clay tobacco pipe stems Copper Allo

Object y Pin 1 1

1 3 Glass Roman pottery sandy fabri 1 Coarse reduced ware/black c 9 541 CBM Misc. 1 C12-C14 3 dieval potte Coarse sandy cooking pot fabric with ca ous 1 7 Me ry lcare

inclusion m 2 524 Roman cb tegula 543 Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 2 211 C14+ CBM Iron Nail 7 55 Mortar 4 136 cbm misc 2 57 Roman ry on fabric, white slipped oxidiz ware 2 32 Roman potte White flag ed Shel 3 44 l er 1 13 Wall plast buil e 1 63 ding ston 544 Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 5 174 C18 CBM Lead Object 1 Strip 6 Post-med/mod rn English stoneware 1 11 e

pottery bm 3 55 Roman c ttery 1 3 Roman po Local oxidized ware Shel 1 43 l Worked flint 1 3 545 Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 5 338 POST-MED CBM (voided) Glass 1 5 e sandy black firing fabric 1 7 Medieval pottery Coars ot e 1 25 Post-med p Somerset glazed earthenwar 5 274 Roman cbm Roman pottery ck-Burnished ware, coarse lo l oxidiz 4 30 Dorset Bla ca ed

fabric 1 35 stone Worked flint 2 11546 ash Hill 15 971 POST-MED CBM Decorated medieval floor tile: N cco p 1 3 Clay toba ipe stems Medieval potte 1 18 ry Bath A glazed Roman pottery rse reduced ware/black sandy fabri 1 36 Coa c Roman cbm Misc. 2 67 548 Medieval pottery Bath A coarseware 3 7 POST-MED Roman pottery Dorset Black-Burnished ware 1 16 Post-med pot stoneware 1 42 549 Roman CBM Flue tile 3 104 C14+ CBM Decorated medieval floor tile: Nash Hill 1 18 Roman pottery Un-sourced amphorae fabric, Dorset Black-

Burnished ware, Coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabric

3 134

551 Building stone Bath stone 1 - -

40



nte rtefact class Count g) Date Co xt A Notes Weight(552 Misc. ?Roman 2 - CBM 13 553 CBM Misc. 2 10 POST-MED Iron 1 3 object Ops sig 1 37 d/mod ware, Somerset glazed ea nwa 7 380 Post-me ern Refined white

pottery rthe re

man cbm Imbrex; brick; tegula 11 430 Ro Roman pottery Dorset Black-Burnished ware 1 11 Shell 1 11 1 17 plaster 556 Roman cbm 1 376 C2-C4 Brick Iron Nail 1 8 Roman pottery Dorset Black-Burnished ware, Coarse r ced 2 38 edu

ware/black sandy fabric 557 n cbm 1 27 RB Roma Flue tile 561 Mortar 12 143 562 Burnt 1 9 C14+ stone er tile (N ll) 1 167 CBM Medieval floor tile: glazed bord ash Hi Iron 3 25 Nail Ind. ues 1 3 Resid Mortar 1 4 Roman cbm 8 tegula 548 Roman pottery Coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabri 1 13 c rked flint 1 8 Wo building stone 1 0 563 1 LC3-C4 Roman cbm Box flue tile 66 1 4 Roman coin Copper alloy: radiate 260–90 AD 564 CBM 1 11 - misc 2 23 Mortar m 2 31 Roman cb misc 566 CBM ill; Pmed brick 52 3090 POST-MED decorated medieval floor tile: Nash H Medieval potte t glazed ware 1 9 ry Lacock Nash Hill or South Somerse /mod earthenware, unglaze 5 62 Post-med ern English stoneware, glazed

enware pottery d

earth Roman cbm Roof tile tegula and imbrex; box flue tile, brick 10 5 122 pottery Baetican Amphorae, un-sourced ampho e fabri

Dorset Black-Burnished ware, local oxid , CGsamian ware, Coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabric

7 306 Roman ra c, ized

ding stone Bath stone: screen or tomb moulding 2 1245 buil567 cbm 8 1006 RB? Roman Brick; tegula 568 Iron Nails 2 15 RB? m 6 395 Roman cb tegula 569 Burnt stone 3 456 C4 Copper Alloy

Object 1 2

Glass 3 1 ps sig 1 250 O Roman cbm la. Box flue tile, brick, 82 4899 Roof tile imbrex and tegu

misc. ttery sh red-

orest colour-coated are, N Forest metallic colour-coated ware, wheelthrownshell-tempered fabric, Oxfordshire whiteware, coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabric

77 869 Roman po Dorset Black-Burnished ware, Oxfordslipped ware, New F

ire w ew

Shell 11 81 Slag Ironworking slag 1 1659 570 Roman pottery Oxfordshire red-slipped ware 1 7 LC3-C4 571 Roman cbm Roof tile: Imbrex, box flue tile, misc 7 188 C4 Roman pottery Oxfordshire red-slipped ware, coarse sandy fabric

imitating Black-Burnished ware 2 74

building stone 1 0

41



nte t class Notes Coun Weight(g) Date Co xt Artefac t 572 Burnt stone 1 10 RB 1 49 CBM Glass 1 2 bm Roof tile tegula and imbrex, flue tile, misc. 9 914 Roman c Shell 1 3 building stone 2 708 573 ottery Black-Burnished ware, coarse re ced

ware/black sandy fabric 4 66 LC3-C4 Roman p Dorset du

575 CBM Misc. Roman? 7 37 MED y

Object 1 3 Copper Allo

Iron t 5 45 objec Nail Fired clay obje 1 77 ct 21 275 Mortar y Coarse reduced ware/black sandy fabric, Dorset

rnished ware, Oxfordshire red- ped 17 142 Roman potter

Black-Bu slipware

e 3 0 Roofing ston Shell 1 32 Slag Ironworking slag 1 459 one 3 - Roofing st Pennant sandstone Worked-bone r plate 1 6 Comb stiffene building stone Bath stone 8 - 582 Roman cbm misc 1 4 C4 Roman Coin Copper alloy: nummus (4th century bro 1 3 nze) Roman pottery Coarse reduced ware/ black sandy fabr Dorse

urnished ware 3 113 ic, t

Black-B584 1 13 - CBM Misc. 1 485 Mortar 585 Roman cbm Misc. 1 118 - 586 1 - CBM Misc. 9 593 1 1 - CBM Misc. 594 Misc. ?Roman 2 18 - CBM 597 man cbm Box flue tile, brick, misc 5 132 RB Ro ottery 1 1 Roman p Local oxidized fabric Stone 1 104 602 Burnt one 1 466 C19 st tin glazed tile; brick 2 137 CBM Clay tobacco p stems 3 ipe 9 Iron 1 26 Glass 4 20 pot are, low

zed earthenware 11 282 Post-med Refined whiteware, English stonew

slipware, unglayel

Roman cbm 3 6 tegula 83 6 207 Shell one 2 22 building st 604 Glass 1 52 MOD Post-med/mod Unglazed earthenware ‘flower pot’ 1 ern

pottery 55

ottery Dorset Black-burnished ware, Coarse r ced lack sandy fabric

5 91 Roman p eduware/b

605 Glass 1 2 MOD Post-med pot Unglazed earthenware ‘flower pot’ 1 123 Roman cbm Imbrex; flue tile 2 231 Roman pottery Central Gaulish samian ware 2 15 building stone Bath stone 1 0 606 Clay tobacco pipe stem 1 3 C18-EC19 Iron Nail 1 22 Post-med pot 2 78 Roman cbm 1 313 CBM Tin glazed tile 2 14 building stone 1 0

42



nte tefact class Coun ht(g) Date Co xt Ar Notes t Weig607 at tile; tin-glazed wall tile 2 18 Post-med CBM Pmed fl 1 250 Plaster 8 1040 Roman cbm Flue tile; tegula ottery 1 14 Roman p South Gaulish samian ware Iron 1 25 Nail building stone e: attached column shaft (x2); quadran

moulding; misc dressed 5 312 Bath ston t

611 CBM tin-glazed wall tile 1 2 POST-MED acco p 1 9 Clay tob ipe Iron t 1 211 objec 8 167 plaster Roman cbm le; tegula 3 460 Flue ti Roman pottery Local oxidized ware 1 20 building stone er moulding; windo head; 8 639 Bath stone: waved pi

misc dressed w

612 CBM 1 - 615 uilding stone 1 B - 616 Somerset glazed earthenware 2 36 C16-C18 Post-med pot Shell 1 57 Building stone 1 - 618 CBM 14 1167 C18-C19 Pmed brick Iron 4 367 Nail ss 3 299 Gla 2 143 Mortar Plaster 5 273 mouldi Ceiling vault moulding 13 - Plaster ng /mod

pottery azed e henwa

toneware, black basalt ware 13 309 Post-med ern Refined white ware, Somerset gl

English sart re,

Roman cbm Flue tile; brick 1 63 Shell 3 121 Slate 1 48 ter 5 156 Wall plas building stone Bath stone: chevron-decorated Norman arch

fragment; mullion 5 -

622 Alloy 1 16 CopperObject

Iron object 7 181 Wall plaster 5 21 building stone 3 0 626 Iron Nail 1 87 Plaster mouldi 1 0 ng ll plaster 1 78 Wa633 Iron 2 35 Nail 1 8 Glass Shell 1 37 648 CBM Pmed flat tile; brick 4 POST-MED 1646 y tobacco p stem 1 5 Cla ipe Iron Nail 15 116 3 91 Marble Plaster 10 - Roofing stone eg h s) 4 Limestone, shelly limestone (nail/p ole - Wall plaster 1 2 Building stone 1 Bath stone - 649 Burnt stone 1 77 POST-MED CBM Pmed flat tile; brick 5 310 Marble 1 0 Mortar 4 12 Plaster moulding Ceiling mouldings 3 700 Plaster 1 14 Shell 1 94 652 Copper Alloy Coin RA n. 1: half-penny of George III (dated 1806) 1 10 C19 655 Building stone Carrara marble: memorial fragment 1 1954 C18-C19

43



nte tefact class Notes Count Weight(g) Date Co xt Ar657 M 10 - CB 298 Mortar 2 20 660 6 894 C18 CBM Glass 1 4 Post-med/modern

potte1 23

ry ish stoneware Engl

Roman cbm ile 6 7 Flue t 197 Roman pottery e reduced ware/black sandy fabri 1 Coars c 38 704 2 38 Iron Nails 705 M Pmed flat tile 1 16 C18 CB Glass 1 253 /mod

ottery 1 78 Post-med ern English stoneware

p Shell 2 17 building stone Norm

ent; jamb; ?coffin fragment 7 - Bath stone: nook shaft; chevron-decorated an

arch fragm707 M Pmed flat tile 9 677 C19 CB 1 11 Roman coin Copper alloy: dupondius or as ss 5 476 Gla potte oarseware 1 23 Medieval ry Bath A c 2 75 Plaster Post-med/mod eware, yellow ware, stonew , tin

glazed earthenware 14 352 ern English ston

pottery are

Slag 1 30 Ironworking slag 2 20 Worked bone toothbrush stone Bath stone 2 - building 709 Pmed flat tile 55 3543 LC18-C19 CBM Copper Alloy 1 21

object 20 64 Clay tobacco pipe Stems, bowls (post 1700)

ect 1 22 Cooper Alloy

obj

Iron objects 5 61 Nail 6 31 Glass potte h A coarse ware 1 27 Medieval ry Bat Plaster Ceiling vault fragments 5 255 d pered ware, ref whit

eware, Somerset glazed earthenwaree, porcelain, Somerset glaze

are

61 1194 Post-med/mo ern North Devon gravel-tempottery

ined e ware, stonyellow war

, d

earthenware, unglazed earthenw rked bone thbrush 1 18 Wo too Building stone Bath stone 1 - 710 CBM 1 6 C19 misc Clay tobacco p 27 70 ipe Stems, bowls (post 1700) Glass 2 30 dieval potte Bath A coarseware 2 11 Me ry plaster 1 1 Post-med/modern

ttery Mocha ware. refined whiteware, Wester ld stoneware

16 116 po

wa

711 Iron 2 20 POST-MED Nail t 3 65 Post-med po Somerset glazed earthenware e 2 - building ston Bath stone: misc dressed, painted; mullion 714 CBM 1 3 Misc. Iron Nail 2 24 Glass 1 7 715 CBM Decorated medieval floor tile 3 636 POST-MED Copper Alloy

Object 1 1

Glass 1 11 Medieval pottery Tudor Green 1 3 Post-med/modern

pottery English stoneware, Somerset glazed earthenware 4 67

Roman pottery New Forest colour-coated ware 1 11 717 building stone Bath stone 1 -

44



APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES

metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), calculated using the benchmark located at north wall of Bath Abbey (25.32m AOD).

nc Tre T 5 h 6 Trench 7

Levels are expressed as metres below current ground level and as

Tre h 1 nch 2 rench 3 Trench 4 Trench Trenc

Current ground level 0.00m (24.34m)

0.00m(24.2m)

0.00m (24.88m)

0.00m (24.52m)

0.00m .3m)

0.00m (23.35m)

0.00m(24.75m) (24

Upper limit of Roman

m 2.5(21.8m) features and deposits

Upper limit of Medievfeatu

al res and deposits

2.35m 1.56m (21.79) (22.4m)

Limit of disturbanfrom post medieval

.69 3.0(21.19m) (22.5m) (22.65m)

ce

1(22.65m)

m 1m 2.38m 1.87m

burials Limit of excavation 1.5m

(22.86m) 2.16m

(22.04m) 2.38m

(22.5m) 1.66m

(22.86m) 3.15m

(21.6m) 2.5m

(21.8m) 1.7m

(21.65) Upper figures are depth below modern ground level; lower figures in parentheses are metres AOD.

45



APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

AILS PROJECT DETProject Name Bath Abbey, Bath and North-East Somerset

Short description

eology between vated, six within

he medieval abbey, and one external al watching brief

ium’, associated of the west front

y of residual rs of medieval

a for the robbing nce for Norman

evealed to the e base of one of

al abbey walls d within all of the internal trenches, together with intercutting pits and

rench. Possible o the west of the exterior of the

ithin the abbey iately to the

abbey. Post-medieval pits and a 17th-century bowling green ere revealed within the external trench east of the south transept, whilst a

Georgian house and subsequent ‘moat’ structure, the latter built in the 1830s, were The foundations of an extant 1920s

ension, built against the south side of the medieval abbey, were also examined to south of the west front.

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold ArchaJanuary and March 2011 at Bath Abbey. Seven trial holes were excaor immediately adjacent to the south side of ttrench to the east of the south transept. In addition, an archaeologicwas conducted during geotechnical borehole investigations. Potential evidence for a raised Roman masonry structure, or ‘podwith the Roman baths to the south-west, was revealed to the south of the Abbey. To the east of the south transept a considerable quantitRoman pottery was noted within intercutting pits and levelling layedate, suggesting extensive disturbance of Roman levels in this areof masonry, and/or extraction of sand and gravel. Limited evideactivity was revealed, with possible foundations of the Norman abbey rsouth of the west front, and re-used Norman masonry supporting ththe central aisle piers within the abbey itself. The fabric of the medievwas revealelevelling layers of probable medieval date within the external tevidence for the paving of the medieval cloister walk was revealed tsouth transept, along with evidence for later remodelling of thesouthern abbey wall. Post-medieval coffins and tombs were revealed in four trenches wchurch itself, whilst post-medieval building remains were identified immedsouth of the medievalsurface w

revealed to the south of the west front. extthe

Project dates 10 January – 3 March 2011 Project type Field evaluation Previous work

Desk-based assessment (ASI 2005, updated by CA 2010)

Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Bath Abbey, Bath and North-East Somerset

Study area 0.3375ha Site co-ordinates (8 6475 Fig ST 7512 Grid Reference) PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Cotswold Archaeology WSI originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Simon Cox Project Supervisor Ray Holt MONUMENT TYPE Abbey Church SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive (museum/Accession

no.)

Content

Physical Roman Baths Museum, Bath. BATRM 2011.3 Ceramics, animal bone, metal finds

Paper Roman Baths Museum, Bath. BATRM 2011.3 Context sheets, trench sheets, matrices, photographic registers, borehole recording sheets

46


47


Roman Baths Museum, Bath. BATRM 2011.3 Digital photos Digital BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Bath Abbey, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 11094

Bath andNorth EastSomerset

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

N

SCALEDRAWN BY PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.

COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY

0 2.5km

site

Bath AbbeyBath and North East Somerset

Site location plan

Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permissionof Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109 c

1:25,000@A4 3324LG 1

TH1

TH5

TH2

TH7

TH6

TH3

TH4borehole TH4borehole TH4

borehole TH4Aborehole TH4A borehole TH4Bborehole TH4B

borehole TH5borehole TH5

borehole TH3borehole TH3

borehole TH4

borehole TH4A borehole TH4B

borehole TH5

boreholesboreholesTH2 & TH2ATH2 & TH2AboreholesTH2 & TH2A

borehole TH3

0 25m

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

N




The site, showing location oftrial holes and boreholes

1:250@A3 3324LG 2

trial hole

borehole

lead coffin107

lead coffin106

wall 104

lead coffin108

organ pipe duct109

105

A

A

B

B

ledger stones 100

mortar 101

lime concrete102

disturbed grave earth103

lead coffin106

lead coffin107

113lead coffin108

wall104

void

105

N S24mAOD

probed to22.65m AOD

probed to22.05m AOD

wall110

plaster

wall110

organ pipe duct109

obscured by organ pipe

S N24mAOD

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N


Trial hole 1; plan, section,elevation and photograph

1:20@A3 3324LG 3

Trial hole 1

Trial hole 1, view looking west. Scale 1m

Section AA Elevation BB

0 2m

organ pipe duct109

lead coffin108

wall110

lead coffin107

lead coffin106wall

104

present Abbey w

all

lead coffin

disturbed grave earth

in situ grave earth

boreholes TH2 & TH2A

boreholesTH2 & TH2A

221

222

223

224

225

226

227

present Abbey wall 228

lead coffin214

lead coffin213

208

tomb212

209

B

B

A

219

219

A

wall228

mortar surface210

mortar surface211

heating duct202

203

215

219

207

crushed sandstone 206

lime concrete 205

crushed stone 204

mortar 201

ledger stones 200

N WES

24mAOD

obscured by shoring boards

ledger stones 200

24mAOD

presentabbey wall

228

pipe

pipe

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N

wall228


Trial hole 2; plan, section, elevation and photograph

1:20@A3 3324LG 4

Trial hole 2 Section AAElevation BB

Trial hole 2, view looking south. Scales both 1m

tomb212

0 2m

borehole

lead coffin


in situ grave earth

borehole TH3

lead coffin309

mortar308

wooden coffin 312

brick tomb307

310

grave earth311pillar base

305

central aislepier

A

A

B

B

CC

304

obscured by shoring boards

304

303

311

lead coffin309

brick tomb307

mortar308

W E24mAOD

ledger stones 300

lime concrete302

mortar 301

S N24mAOD

pillar base305 E W

24mAOD

pillar base305

central aislepier

central aislepier

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N


Trial hole 3; plan, section,elevation, profile and photograph

1:20@A3 3324LG 5

Trial hole 3

Section AA

Elevation BB Profile CC

0 2m

Trial hole 3, view looking north, showing brick tomb 307 and lead coffin 309. Scale 1m

brick tomb307

lead coffin309

borehole

lead coffin


in situ grave earth

mortar

present Abbey wall 413

borehole TH4

408

lead coffin405

wooden coffin406

407416

412

402

lead linedwooden coffin

417

416

wooden coffin418

A

A

B

wall404

wall404

B

W SE N

24mAOD

24mAOD

mortar 401

400ledger stones

400mortar 401

lime concrete402

403

412416

lead coffin405

void

410

wall404

409

401

400

wall413

foundation414

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N


Trial hole 4; plan, elevation,section and photograph

1:20@A3 3324LG 6

Trial hole 4

Elevation AA Section BB

0 2m

Trial hole 4, view looking east. Scale 1m

lead coffin405

wall404

403

416

borehole

lead coffin


in situ grave earth

borehole TH5

obscured byshoring boards

pit565

pit542

541

547

514

575

584/568

582

D

D

C

CB

B

A

A

564

544

551

581

pit577

paved surface 500

501

502

503

504505

515515

506

518

509

525

538539

540549

551 mortar surface 566523 524

564563/555

pit565

544543

pit 542

567572

583582

pit 519 pit 521522520

516517

pit579

pit580

508507

wall514

531construction cut532

529robber trench

528530

527

526

541557552553574 569

578

NE SW24mAOD

562

pit542

pit577

pit547

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N


Trial hole 5; plan, sectionand photographs

1:50@A3 3324LG 7

Trial hole 5

Section AA

sondage A

sondage A

0 5mborehole

Trial hole 5, view looking north-east, showing pit 524 cutting mortar layer 541.Scales both 1m Trial hole 5, view looking north-east, showing wall 514. Scale 1m

wall514

590

564

589

588

587

pit 565

586

585583

582575

pit581

571pit 591

570

569

557

SE NW22mAOD bank material

525

bank material538

550

548

539

540

pit547

566

518

535

534

515

536

523

561

546

pit560

posthole 558

559mortar surface 541mortar surface 556

557

553

574

569

575

borehole TH5

593

594

596

595

597

598

599

545

592

571

SW NE23mAOD

pit591

obscured byshoring boards

mortar surface541

561pit

560557

556

552

553

574

569

571 575

pit591

578pit

577

NW SE22mAOD

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE




Trial hole 5; sections

1:20@A3 3324LG 8

Section BB

Section DD

Section CC

0 2m

present Abbey wall

stone surface636

wall 624wall625

pennantsandstone

paving627

wall614wall

613

stone surface658

660659

667

665

666wall foundation662

wall 661

A

B

B

CC

D

A

D

E

E

G

G

E SENW24mAOD

S24mAOD

W24mAOD

N24mAOD

pennantsandstone paving

627

632 633625

stone surface636

634

631 625

600

601604

605606

607

611

615

drain629

616620

614612

609 610608 609

610

622626

lime render630

664625

663

624

663

wall 623

600

601604

wall 614

622

605

606

607

wall 631

631634stone surface636

blocked opening628

611621

620620

626

pennantsandstone surface

627

632 633

636

602

brick conduit637

638645

644

604

607

617 643

642

robber trench641

wall613

wall614

647

646

618

649 653

wall 661656


651

foundation662

660660

667

665666

655

654

brick arch639

wall 640

E NW24mAOD

S24mAOD

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



N


Trial hole 6; plan, elevations,sections and photographs

1:50@A3 3324LG 9

Trial hole 6

Elevation AA Section DDElevation CCSection BB Elevation EE Section FF

0 5m

Trial hole 6, view looking north, showing pennant sandstonepaving 627. Scale 0.5m

Trial hole 6, view looking north, showing stone surface 636.Scale 0.5m

pennantsandstone

paving627

pennantsandstone

paving627

stone surface636

wall

present Abbey wall

wall703

stone surface717

704

C

C

A

AB

B

702

701

710 709 708

707

ledge713

703

724

716

705

704

ditch706

711

714 715

723stone surface

717719718

wall703

wall703

722

ledge713ledge 713

mortar721

720wall724

716

723stone surface

717

718

719

dump712

707

ditch706

709 710

701

704


700


700

705

714

715

723

705 wall724

716

wall703

S

24mAOD

W

24mAOD

N

24mAOD

SEN

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE


SCALE@A3DRAWN BY PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.

N


Trial hole 7; plan, sections,elevation and photographs

1:50 and 1:20 3324LG 10

Trial hole 7

Section AA Elevation BB Section CC

0 2m

0 5m

mortar

Trial hole 7, view looking north-west, showing wall 703. Scale 1m

wall703

stone surface717

Trial hole 7, view looking east, showing stone surface 717. Scale 0.5m

stone surface717

Documents

BATH ABBEY B N -E S ATH AND ORTH AST OMERSET · Bath Abbey (centred on NGR: ST 7512 6475; Fig. 1). The ev undertaken at the request of the PCC, which wishes to relay the floor within