Kingston Buildings Bath Bath and North-East Somerset€¦ · Kingston Buildings Bath Bath and North-East Somerset Archaeological Watching Brief CA Project: 6083 CA Report: 17301 This

Kingston Buildings Bath

Bath and North-East Somerset

Archaeological Watching Brief

for

Bath Abbey Faculty and Footprint Projects

CA Project: 6083

CA Report: 17301

June 2017

Kingston Buildings Bath

Bath and North-East Somerset


CA Project: 6083 CA Report: 17301

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

Document Control Grid

Revision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for revision

Approved by

A 26.05.17 Marino Cardelli

Simon Cox Internal review


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Kingston Buildings, Bath: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

|

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

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3

2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND ................................................................ 4

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................... 5

4. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 6

5. RESULTS (FIGS 3-6) ......................................................................................... 6

6. THE FINDS ........................................................................................................ 9

7. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 10

8. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 11

9. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 11

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................... 13

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS .............................................................................................. 16

APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF POTENTIAL ROMAN HORIZON ......................................... 17

APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM .......................................................................... 18

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

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

Fig. 2 Test pit location plan, showing Bath Abbey and cellars to the south (1:300)

Fig. 3 Test pits V1 and V2 Plans (1:20), sections (1:20) and photographs

Fig. 4 Test pit V3: Plan (1:20), section (1:20) and photographs

Fig. 5 Test pits V4: Plan (1:20), section (1:20) and photographs

Fig. 6 Test pits V5 and V6: Plans (1:20), sections (1:20) and photograph

Fig. 7 Photograph of an original document showing excavated areas by Bath

Archaeological Trust in 1993, not to scale.


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SUMMARY

Project Name: Kingston Buildings

Location: Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset

NGR: 375165 164745

Type: Watching Brief

Date: 2-11 May 2017

Planning Reference: 13/03335/FUL; 12/03336/LBA; 16/02022/VAR; 16/02439/VAR

Location of Archive: To be deposited with Bath Abbey

Site Code: FOOT 17

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken on six test pits excavated in each of the

existing vaulted cellars on the north side of Kingston Buildings during engineering

investigations associated with Phase One of the Bath Abbey Footprint Project.

Two surfaces in opus signinum, were identified in two test pits underneath the existing

cellars which lie immediately to the south of the abbey and bore a marked similarity to

Roman deposits identified in 1993 excavations by Bath Archaeological Trust in the same

location. Although those floor surfaces could not be definitively dated, they appear very likely

to be Roman.


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In May 2017 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching

brief for Bath Abbey Faculty and Footprint Projects at Bath Abbey (centred at NGR:

375165 164745; Fig. 1). The watching brief was undertaken as part of a programme

of archaeological watching brief, excavation and historic building recording to fulfil a

condition attached to a planning consent for a range of improved public and ancillary

support facilities to Bath Abbey (Planning refs: 13/03335/FUL; 12/03336/LBA;

16/02022/VAR; 16/02439/VAR).

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with A Specification pertaining to

Phase 1 Footprint Project, which detailed requirements for archaeological

excavation, watching brief and building recording (CAP 2016) prepared by Cambrian

Archaeological Projects (CAP), the archaeological advisor to Bath Abbey, and with a

subsequent detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2016)

approved by Richard Sermon, Senior Archaeological Officer, Bath and North East

Somerset Council. The fieldwork also followed Standard and guidance:

Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014).

The site

1.3 The area of watching brief covered by this report comprised the existing vaults,

immediately to the south of the abbey, related to Numbers 9 to 12 Kingston

Buildings (Fig. 2).

1.4 The vaulted cellars were used for WCs in the recent past, but at present serve as

storage rooms. The cellar floors were laid to flagstones. All of the pits revealed a

post-medieval stone-lined drain running north-south along their eastern side, along

with later ceramic pipes for the toilets that were formerly situated in the cellars.

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 2011). Orangey sandy

gravel deposits thought to represent the natural substrate were encountered in Test

Pits V2, V5 and V6.


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2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Numerous previous archaeological investigations and reports have been completed.

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

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

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

was commissioned to update the 2005 assessment to make sure that it is still

appropriate for the current project (CA 2010). This was followed by archaeological

evaluation by Cotswold Archaeology in 2011 (CA 2011), and the numerous further

investigations and impact assessments detailed in Section 4 of the Specification

(CAP 2016). In summary the site has potential for significant remains from the

prehistoric period through to the modern day, demonstrated by previous excavations

and observations, with complex remains from the Roman, Saxon, medieval, post-

medieval and modern period surviving across the site, both inside and outside the

church. It appears that the current church floor surface, constructed between 1863

and 1872, lies above c. 2.5m of intercut graves and burial vaults from the 16th to the

19th centuries. These are above the floor of the Norman and later medieval abbey

and its structures, and beneath these lay Saxon, Roman and prehistoric deposits,

known to be at least 1m to 3m in thickness.

2.2 Outside the church, excavations have demonstrated a similarly complex build-up of

Roman, Saxon, medieval and post-medieval structures and deposits. Excavations

by Bath Archaeological Trust (BAT) in 1992-93 directly to the south of the Abbey

identified a series of cobbled surfaces at between 20.1m and 20.65m AOD showing

that the area to the east of the Roman Baths was open space until the late 3rd-

century AD (Watkins 2015, 20). At least 30 Saxon burials were also revealed directly

to the south of the Abbey, eight of which were radio-carbon dated to the 9th to 10th

century. Later medieval burials were also identified, and were often stone lined and

capped.

2.3 A recent archive search at Roman Baths Museum has shown that the test pit

excavation area had been previously investigated by BAT between September and

December 1993. Only part of the unpublished records has been recovered but

according to the original documents: ‘Trenches were dug in all six cellars projecting

northwards beneath the pavement in front of Kingston Buildings.’ Although the

trenches were given a separate site code, Kingston Buildings was treated as part of


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the Abbey Heritage Centre project. The results of the BAT investigations within

Kingston Buildings are paraphrased below, paras 2.4-2.6.

2.4 Beneath Kingston Buildings Cellars A-B, c.4.5m south of AHC Area 1 (most likely

corresponding to test pits V1 and V2; Figs 2-3, 8), the earliest recorded layers were

two gravel surfaces, comparable with the surfaces in the AHC cellars. The higher

one was sealed by a cambered worn limestone cobbled surface set in angular

rubble, probably a road.

2.5 Beneath Kingston Buildings Cellars C-D the natural substrate was covered by build-

up layers for a possible timber building. A pinkish-red opus signinum floor respected

a stone block on edge, which may have served as the cill for a timber beam. The

floor was sealed beneath layers which were cut by the foundation trench of a stone

wall. This had been robbed out but it appeared to be the north wall of a building

post-dating the timber structure, though retaining the same alignment.

2.6 The north-west corner and the south return wall were located on the east edge of KB

Cellar C. The stone wall had been robbed out and the robber trench was sealed by a

gravel surface. This building is likely to belong to an earlier phase than the structure

in the AHC cellars and the possible building in AHC Area 1, though there was no

direct stratigraphical link between them.’

2.7 In light of the above, it is very likely that some of the deposits identified during the

present Watching Brief are part of the backfill of BAT’s 1993 Abbey Heritage Centre

trenches.

3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

3.1 The objectives of the archaeological works were:

to monitor groundworks, and to identify, investigate and record all significant buried

archaeological deposits revealed on the site during the course of the development

groundworks;


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at the conclusion of the project, to produce an integrated archive for the project work

and a report setting out the results of the project and the archaeological conclusions

that can be drawn from the recorded data

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2016). An

archaeologist was present during excavation of Test Pits V1 to V6 (Fig. 2).

4.2 Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic

records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork

Recording Manual.

4.3 The archive from the watching brief is currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble.

The finds will be deposited with Bath Abbey along with the site archive. A summary

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

OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

5. RESULTS (FIGS 3-6)

Test Pit V1 (Fig. 3)

5.1 A mid-brown sandy gravel deposit, V106, was identified in the base of the test pit at

0.5m below present ground level (BPGL; 20.83m AOD) from which Roman and

medieval artefacts were recovered. Deposit V106 measured at least 0.6m in depth

and was cut by a north-south aligned construction cut, V103, for a stone-lined

drain, V102, measuring at least 0.05m in width and at least 0.5m in depth.

Construction cut V103 was also backfilled with a dark brown silty clay deposit, V104,

measuring at least 0.10m in width and at least 0.50m in thickness, interpreted as

packing material for stone-lined drain V102. The cover of drain V102 and

construction cut backfill V104 were subsequently sealed by two levelling/make up

layers, V105 and V101, for the existing floor V100.


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5.2 Test Pit V2 (Fig.3)

An orangey sandy gravel deposit, V206, possible natural substrate, was identified at

0.6m BPGL (20.76m AOD) in a narrow slot within the test pit and excavated to the

depth of 0.5m. This was sealed by a thin layer of friable sandy mortar, V205

measuring 0.03m in thickness, interpreted as possible external surface. Sealing this,

deposit V209 was identified at 0.47m BPGL and measured 0.15m in depth, which

was in turn overlain by deposit V208, also 0.15m in depth, encountered at 0.35m

BPGL. These two broadly horizontal deposits were sealed by a thin layer of light

brown lime mortar, V207, interpreted as a possible horizontal surface. At its western

extent, V207 was truncated by a north-south aligned construction cut, V212,

measuring at least 0.55m in width and at least 0.40m in depth, for a stone-lined

drain V210. As in test pit V1, construction cut V212 was backfilled with a mid-dark

silty clay deposit, V211, measured at least 0.15m in width and at least 0.40m in

depth, interpreted as packing material for stone-lined drain V210. Deposit V207 was

sealed by a make-up layer of orangey sandy gravel mixed with CBM, V202,

measured 0.26m in thickness. Subsequently, deposit V202 was truncated to the

southern extent by a more recent construction cut, V203, for a manhole V204. No

artefactual material was recovered from either deposit.

5.3 Test Pit V3 (Fig. 4)

The top of a pinkish-red opus signinum surface, V314 was identified in a slot at 1.2m

BPGL. It was sealed by a possible bedding deposit, V313 which was at least 0.25m

thick. This was in turn sealed by a thin reddish-brown silty clay layer, V312, and a

sandy mortar floor surface, V311, which was 0.03m thick, visible at 0.9m BPGL at

the south-eastern corner of the test pit. Overlying this, was a loose deposit of small

to medium stoney rubble in a brown soil matrix, V310, which measured 0.34m in

depth, and was interpreted as a substantial levelling/bedding deposit for a light

greyish lime mortar surface, V309. Surface V309 measured 0.08m in thickness,

lying horizontally at 0.5m BPGL. No artefactual material was recovered from either

deposit. Overlaying deposit V309 was a make-up layer, V306, for the original stone

slab floor, V305, measured 0.37m in depth which has been disturbed by a modern

ceramic pipe V308 and subsequently truncated by what appeared to be a former

BAT trench V304 (see Archaeological Background above). Former BAT trench V304

measured 0.90m in width and 1.20m in depth and it was backfilled at the base with a

mid-dark silty clay deposit mixed with medium to large stones, V302, measured

0.75m in thickness. Above it, an upper fill of orangey sandy gravel deposit, V301,

which was 0.63m thick.


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A reddish clay deposit with frequent stones, V406, was visible at 0.9m BPGL

measuring at least 0.2m in thickness. Overlying deposit V406, on the northern side

of the test pit, a layer of brownish compacted laminated soils, V405, measuring

0.09m in thickness, was encountered at 0.8m BPGL. Overlying deposit V406 on the

southern side of the test pit, a small portion of reddish-pink opus signinum floor,

V415, most likely in situ, measured at least 0.25m in width and 0.04m in thickness

was encountered at 0.9m BPGL. It is likely that floor V415 extended beyond the

south-western limit of test pit. At the same level as floor V415 and also overlying

deposit V406, a laminated reddish-brown layer, V414, was identified and measured

0.04m in thickness. This layer and floor V415, were both sealed by an orangey-

brown possible mortared floor, V413, measuring 0.04m in depth, identified only lying

in the southern section of the test pit at 0.87m BPGL. Deposits V413, V414 and

V405 were truncated to the east of the test pit by a north-south aligned construction

cut, V412, for a probably 17th to 18th-century stone-lined drain V411. This was

subsequently sealed by a make-up/levelling deposit, V404, measuring 0.34m in

depth, which has been disturbed by a modern ceramic pipe and also truncated by a

former BAT’s trench V402 which was 0.80m wide and at least 1.10m deep. It

contained a mid-dark silty clay deposit mixed with modern material, V401. No

artefactual material was recovered from either deposit.


An orangey sandy gravel deposit, V510, possibly natural, was identified in a narrow

slot in the base of the test pit at 1.2m BPGL. It was cut by a possible north-

west/south-east aligned feature, V509, measuring at least 0.5m in length, of which

only part of the eastern side was visible. It contained a dark brown loose deposit

mixed with occasional stones, V508, measuring at least 0.45m in depth. Given the

total absence of artefactual material, it is likely that this feature could be considered

a modern event associated with BAT’s excavation. A construction cut, V506, for

another north-south aligned stone-lined drain, V502, was only visible in the southern

side of this test pit and it measured at least 0.90m in width and 0.67m in depth.

Construction cut V506 was also backfilled with a mid-dark grey silty clay deposit,

V505, a possible packing material, which was 0.54m thick. Within the structure itself,

stone-lined drain V502, two backfills were identified. Above the base of the drain, a

light grey silty clay deposit, V504, was 0.15m thick and it was covered by a mid-dark

brown silty clay deposit, V503, which was 0.20m thick. Stone-lined drain V502 was


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only visible in section and it was almost completely truncated by the construction of

a modern ceramic pipe and subsequently by a former BAT trench V513. Former

BAT trench V513 measured at least 0.90m in width and 1.30m in depth. It contained

a mid-grey silty clay deposit mixed with modern material, V514.


An orangey-red sandy gravel deposit V604, similar to V510 in test pit V5 was

encountered at 0.6m BPGL and measured at least 0.5m in depth. This was most

likely truncated by a former BAT trench, V605, which was at least 1.15m in width

and at least 1.10m in depth. It contained a series of broadly modern fills, V603, V602

and V601. Lower fill V603, was a mid-dark silty clay fill which was at least 0.40m

thick. Above it, a light grey silty clay fill mixed with modern materials, V602, which

was 0.50m thick. Also a mid-brown silty sand upper fill, V601, measuring 0.22m in

thickness was identified just below the existing floor V600.

6. THE FINDS

6.1 Artefactual material comprising small quantities of pottery and ceramic building

material was recorded from two deposits, dumped layer V106 and drain fill V504

(Appendix B). Codes used for Roman coarse pottery (in parenthesis below)

correspond to the type series in use for the City of Bath (Bidwell and Croom 1999).

Pottery

6.2 Pottery of Roman date (2 sherds, weighing 22g) was recorded from dumped deposit

V106. Both sherds are abraded and appear to be redeposited, occurring with a

fragment of medieval floor tile (below). A sherd of Central Gaulish samian is

identifiable as from a form Dr 38 bowl and as such can be dated c. AD 150-200. The

second Roman sherd occurs in a coarse reduced-fired fabric (CRW). It is a rim

sherd from a necked jar and with bifid/collared rim.

6.3 Modern pottery, comprising two joining sherds (49g) from a small yellow ware mug,

was recorded from drain fill V504, for which a 19th or 20th-century date is probable.


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Ceramic Building Material (CBM)

6.4 A single fragment of medieval decorated floor tile was recorded from (91g) dumped

deposit V106. Only a small area of the inlaid upper surface is preserved and the

design is indeterminate. The fabric is a coarse sandy type identifiable as from the

Nash Hill tilery, near Lacock, Wilts. The rear of the tile features part of one knife-cut

keying scoop, which is also typical for Nash Hill tiles. A date in the late 13th or 14th

centuries is suggested.

7. DISCUSSION

7.1 The watching brief confirmed the results of the earlier BAT excavations, which

showed that the remains of Roman structures and layers, sealed beneath post-

medieval deposits, have not been fully truncated by later buildings. Unfortunately,

BAT’s excavation archive is incomplete, but there is enough information from the

plan (Fig. 8) and descriptions to corroborate the findings of the present test pit

investigation.

7.2 The stratigraphy within test pits V3 and V4 (Figs 4-5) seems to correlate well with

BAT’s 'Beneath KB Cellars C-D (...)' where ‘A pinkish-red op. sig. floor (...)’,

compatible with both floors V415 and V314, ‘was sealed beneath layers which were

cut by a foundation trench for a stone wall. This had been robbed out but it appeared

to be the north wall of a building (...)’. It was not possible to determine whether there

was a foundation or robber cut in test pit V4, but it seems likely that the top of opus

signinum, V314 in test pit V3, actually corresponds to the base of a cut that also

vertically cuts overlapping layers V311, V312 and V313.

7.3 As suggested by the BAT investigations, the presence of a 'north wall for a building'

cannot be excluded, as in test pit V4 there is a clear stratigraphic difference between

the southern and northern edges of the trench. To the south, mortar floor V413,

sealing a portion of opus signinum floor, V415, argues for an internal area most

likely reused/repaved, while to the north, compacted laminated layers, V405,

suggests an external area which was almost perhaps butting a robbed out east-west

aligned wall.

7.4 It seems clear that parts of test pits V1, V2, V5 and V6 are within BAT’s backfilled

excavations to a depth of at least1.1m BPGL. However, possible natural, V206,


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sealed by a thin layer of sandy mortar, V205, in test pit V2 was interpreted as

possible external surface ‘(…) probably a road(…)’, although this does not look

convincing from the evidence of test pit V2.

8. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Marino Cardelli. The report was written by Marino

Cardelli. The finds report was written by Jacky Somerville. The illustrations were

prepared by Esther Escudero. The archive has been compiled by Marino Cardelli,

and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project was managed for CA by

Simon Cox.

9. REFERENCES

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

assessment of the floor structure.

BAT (Bath Archaeological Trust) 1993 Kingston Buildings Cellars KB A-F, unpublished.

Bidwell, P.T. and Croom, A.T. 1999 ‘The Roman Pottery’, in Davenport 1999, 89–105

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2017 http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html.

Accessed 16 March 2017

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2010 Bath Abbey (the parish church of St Peter and Paul). Bath.

Update of an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Bath Abbey, Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset.

Archaeological Evaluation.

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2016 Bath Abbey Footprint Project Phase 1: Written Scheme of

Investigation for a Programme of Archaeological Excavation, Watching Brief and

Buidling Recording


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CAP (Cambrian Archaeological Projects) 2016 Specification for Archaeological Watching

Brief, Building Recording and Archaeological Excavation: Store Rooms and Escape

Link Adjacent to Jackson Extension, Bath Abbey, Bath.

Davenport, P. 1999 Archaeology in Bath: Excavations 1984-1989, Oxford, British Archaeol.

Rep. (Brit. Ser) 284

Watkins K 2015 An Archaeological Impact Assessment of Proposed Works

during the Bath Abbey Footprint Project


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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench No.

Context No.

Type Fill of Context interpretation

Description L (m) W (m) D(m) Spot-date

V1 V100 Layer Existing floor Flagstone 0.74 0.46 0.04

V1 V101 Deposit Make-up layer Mid grey silty clay >1.15 >0.90 0.50

V1 V102 Structure V103 Drain N-S stone lined drain >1.15 >0.09 0.30

V1 V103 Cut construction cut Linear construction cut for drain V102

>1.15 >0.15 >0.50

V1 V104 Fill V103 Fill of construction

cut Dark brown silty clay with occasional stone

>1.15 >0.10 >0.50

V1 V105 Deposit Make-up/levelling

deposit Light brown sandy gravel above drain V102

>1.15 >0.90 0.20

V1 V106 Deposit Dump deposit Mid brown sandy gravel >0.90 - 0.50

V1 V107 Fill V103 Fill within drain

V102 Mid dark silt within stone-lined drain V102

>1.15 - 0.25


V2 V201 Fill V203 Fill of construction

cut Mid dark brown silty clay with frequent stone

- 0.80 0.50

V2 V202 Deposit Make-up/levelling

deposit Orangey sandy gravel mixed with bricks

- >0.68 0.26

V2 V203 Cut Construction cut Construction cut for manhole - 0.80 0.50

V2 V204 Structure V203 Manhole Ceramic pipe and manhole >0.40 >0.30 0.60

V2 V205 Layer Surface Friable sandy mortar surface >0.90 >0,60 0.03

V2 V206 Deposit Possible natural Orangey sandy grave >0.90 >0.60 >0.50

V2 V207 Layer Surface Light brown lime mortar >0.47 0.02

V2 V208 Deposit Make-up/levelling Brown sandy gravel bedding for surface V207

>052 0.15

V2 V209 Deposit Make-up/levelling Mid grey silty clay below V208 >0.60 0.15

V2 V210 Structure V212 Drain N-S stone lined drain >1.45 >0.40 0.60

V2 V211 Fill V212 Fill of construction cut

Mid dark silty clay >1.45 0.15 >0.40

V2 V212 Cut Construction cut Linear construction cut for drain V210

>1.45 >0.55 >0.40

V2 V213 Layer Existing floor Existing flagstone >0.58 >0.50 >0.13

V3 V300 Layer Existing floor Flagstone probably replaced by BAT

0.45 0.56 0.06

V3 V301 Fill V304 Backfill of BAT trench

Orangey sandy gravel deposit >1.30 0.90 0.63


Mid dark silty clay deposit mixed with medium to large stones

>1.30 0.90 0.75

V3 V303 Void

V3 V304 Cut Former BAT trench

Cut for an archaeological trench running E-W

>1.30 0.90 1.20

V3 V305 Layer Existing floor Same as V300 0.57 0.48 0.14

V3 V306 Deposit Make up/levelling Yellow brown sandy deposit mixed with medium size stones

>1.30 >0.90 0.37

V3 V307 Cut Construction cut Cut for undercover service >1.30 0.43

V3 V308 Fill V307 Backfill Mid dark silty clay deposit including ceramic pipe

>1.30 0.43

V3 V309 Deposit Surface Friable light grey lime mortar surface

>1.30 0.08

V3 V310 Deposit Levelling layer Mixed deposit of dark brown clay and crush sandstone

>1.30 0.36

V3 V311 Layer Surface Pale brown compacted sandy mortar

>0.48 >0.04

V3 V312 Layer Surface/bedding layer

Reddish silty clay compacted material with occasional charcoal and fragment of op.sig.

>1.30 >0.05

V3 V313 Deposit Levelling/bedding Mid reddish brown deposit with occasional medium size stones

>1.30 0.27

V3 V314 Layer Surface Opus signinum >0.47 >0.90 >0.03


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V3 V315 Layer Existing floor Flagstone >0.45 >0.27 0.07

V4 V400` Surface Existing floor Flagstone replaced by BAT 0.30 0.25 0.04

V4 V401 Fill Backfill of BAT trench

Silty clay deposit mixed with modern material

>1.50 0.80 1.10



>1.50 0.80 >1.10

V4 V403 Deposit Make up layer Rubble deposit underneath V400

>1.50 0.40

V4 V404 Deposit Levelling deposit Mid brown stoney deposit in a sandy matrix

>1.50 0.35

V4 V405 Layer Laminated surface Mid orangey brown layers underneath V404 with frequent charcoal as inclusions

>1.50 0.10

V4 V406 Layer Bedding/levelling Reddish clay compact with frequent medium size stones

>1.50 >0.20



V4 V409 Fill V410 Backfill Mid dark silty clay deposit including ceramic pipe

>1.50 0.75

V4 V410 Cut Construction cut Cut for undercover service >1.50 0.75

V4 V411 Structure V412 Stone lined drain N-S aligned stone lined drain including base, cover and internal backfill

>0.80 >0.52 >0.40

V4 V412 Cut Construction cut Linear N-S construction cut for a stone-lined drain V411

>0.80 >0.52 >0.40

V4 V413 Layer Surface Orangey brown mortared floor >0.90 >0.04

V4 V414 Layer Bedding Laminated reddish brown layer underneath V413

>0.50 0.04

V4 V415 Layer Surface In situ portion of opus signinum floor

>0.23 0.04


V5 V501 Layer Floor bedding Pale yellow sand with dark patches of clay

>1.40 0.11

V5 V502 Structure V506 Stone lined drain N-S aligned stone lined drain including base and cover

>0.90 >0.90 0.67

V5 V503 Fill V506 Upper fill within drain V502

Mid dark brown silty clay >0.90 0.46 0.20

V5 V504 Fill V506 Lower fill within drain V502

Light grey brown silty clay >0.90 0.40 0.15

V5 V505 Fill V506 Backfill Mid dark grey silty clay with occasional small stone

>0.90 >0.40 >0.54

V5 V506 Cut Construction cut for drain V502

Linear N-S aligned cut for a stone lined drain

>0.90 >0.90 0.67

V5 V507 Layer Levelling beneath drain V502

Mid yellow sandy silt deposit with small size pebbles

>1.08 0.12

V5 V508 Fill V509 Backfill associated with BAT trench

Dark brown sitly clay with frequent charcoal and loose medium stone

>0.70 >0.50 >0.40

V5 V509 Cut Cut associated with Former BAT trench

Undefined cut probably the same as V513

>0.70 >0.50 >0.40

V5 V510 Layer Natural substrate Upper interface of orangey sandy gravel

>0.70 >0.50 >0.09

V5 V511 Cut Construction cut Linear e-w cut for undercover service

>0.90 >0.67 >0.65

V5 V512 Fill V511 Modern backfill Dark silty clay >0.90 >0.67 >0.65

V5 V513 Cut BAT trench Cut for an archaeological trench running E-W

>1.40 >0.90 1.30


Silty clay deposit mixed with modern material

>1.40 >0.90 1.30



V6 V601 Fill V605 Backfill Mid brown silty sand deposit with modern material

>1.55 >1.15 0.22

V6 V602 Fill V605 Backfill Light grey silty clay with modern material

>1.55 >1.15 0.50

V6 V603 Fill V605 Backfill Mid dark silty clay with >1.55 >1.15 >0.40


15


occasional charcoal

V6 V604 Layer Natural substrate Upper interface of orangey sandy gravel

>1.55 >1.15 >0.50



>1.55 >1.15 >1.10


16


APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Context Category Description Ct. Wt.(g) Spot-date

V106 Medieval CBM Decorated floor tile: Nash Hill type 1 91 LC13-C14 Roman pottery Central Gaulish (Lezoux) fabric: form Drag 38 1 2 Roman pottery Coarse reduced ware (CRW): necked jar 1 20

V504 Modern pottery Yellow ware: mug 1 48 C19+


17


APPENDIX C: LEVELS OF POTENTIAL ROMAN HORIZON

Upper figures are depth below modern ground level; lower figures in parentheses are metres AOD. AOD heights were calculated by measuring down from the external ground surface level above the cellars in which each test pit was excavated, assuming that level to be 24.51m AOD.

Test Pit V4

Current ground level 0.00m (21.28m)

Top of levelling dep. V404 0.50m (20.78m)

Top of sandy mortar floor V413

0.87m (20.41m)

Top of op.sig. V415 0.85m (20.43m)

Limit of excavation 1.10m (20.18m)

Test Pit V3

Current ground level 0.00m (21.32m)

Top of sandy mortar surface V311

0.90m (20.42m)

Top of brown silty clay layer V312

0.92m (20.4m)

Top of bedding deposit V313

0.95m (20.37m)

Top of op.sig. V314 1.20m (20.12m)

Limit of excavation 1.20m (20,12m)


18


APPENDIX D: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Kingston Buildings, Bath, Bath and North East Somerset

Short description

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken on six test pits excavated in each of the existing vaulted cellars on the north side of Kingston Buildings during engineering investigations associated with Phase One of the Bath Abbey Footprint Project. Two surfaces in opus signinum, were identified in two test pits underneath the existing cellars which lie immediately to the south of the abbey and bore a marked similarity to Roman deposits identified in 1993 excavations by Bath Archaeological Trust in the same location. Although those floor surfaces could not be

definitively dated, they appear very likely to be Roman. Project dates 2-11 May 2017

Project type


Previous work

Archaeological evaluation (BAT 1993 unpublished) Desk-Based Assessment (ASI 2005) Desk-Based Assessment (CA 2010) Archaeological evaluation (CA 2011)

Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION

Site Location Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset

Study area (M2/ha) 0.5ha

Site co-ordinates 375165 164745

PROJECT CREATORS

Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology

Project Brief originator Cambrian Archaeological Projects

Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Simon Cox

Project Supervisor Marino Cardelli

MONUMENT TYPE Abbey

SIGNIFICANT FINDS none

PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive (museum/Accession no.)

Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical Bath Abbey

Paper Bath Abbey Context sheets, permatrace drawings, photo register

Digital Bath Abbey digital photos

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2017 Kingston Buildings, Bath, Bath and North-East Somerset: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 17301

167000167000

163000163000

377000377000

373000373000

375000375000

165000165000

THE VALEGLAMORGAN

CARDIFF

RH

ON

DD

A,

CY

NO

N, TA

FF NEWPORT

CA

ER

PH

ILLY

TOR

FAE

NM

ONM

OUTHSHIRE

NORTHSOMERSET

SOUTHGLOUCESTERSHIRE

CITY OFBRISTOL

WBER

OXFO

SOMERSET

WILTSHIRE

HA

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

BOUROUGH OFSWINDON

BATH AND NE SOMERSET

CotswoldArchaeology

N

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.

0 1km

Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

c 1

Bath Abbey Project Phase One, Bath and NE Somerset

Site location plan

PROJECT NO.DATESCALE@A4

DRAWN BYCHECKED BYAPPROVED BY

608305/06/20171:25,000

EEDJBSC

Andover 01264 347630

Cirencester 01285 771022

Exeter 01392 826185

Milton Keynes 01908 564660

w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

e [email protected]

Site location

Bath Abbey

Roman Baths

York Street

Bath Abbey

Roman BathsYork Street

Church S

treet

Abbey S

treet

Sw

allow S

treet

Cheap Street

A3039

CotswoldArchaeology

N

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.

Reproduced from the digtial Ordnance Survey digital map with the permissionof Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109 c

2

Test pit location plan - showing Bath Abbey and cellars to the South and previous Test Pits CA 2017



608305/06/20171:300

EEDJBSC

Andover 01264 347630


Exeter 01392 826185



e [email protected]

0 15m1:300

Bath Abbey Project Phase One, Bath and NE Somerset

164760164760

164780164780

375100375100

375120375120

375140375140

375160375160

375080375080

164740164740

164720164720

Test Pit (CA 2017)

Kingston Buildings Test Pit

Areas excavated to Roman levels by BAT in 1993 (AHC 93)

KB 93 (unpublished)

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6

B2(see Fig. 3)

B2(see Fig. 3)

B3(see Fig. 7)

B3(see Fig. 7) B16

(see Fig. 9)B16

(see Fig. 9)

B15(see Fig. 7)

B15(see Fig. 7)

B9(see Fig. 5)

B9(see Fig. 5)

B9.1(see Fig. 5)

B9.1(see Fig. 5)

B10(see Fig. 6)

B10(see Fig. 6)

B12(see Fig. 6)

B12(see Fig. 6)

B8B8

B11B11

B5(see Fig. 4)

B5(see Fig. 4)

21.35mAOD

21.37AOD

20.57AOD

21.35AOD

V206

V204 V201

drai

n

base

cover

V204

V201

V203

V213

V210V202

V212

V211

V211

V208

V209

V205

V207

V200

V205

V206 V206

21.36m AOD

S EN W

Section BB

V106

V104

V103

A

A

B

B

Plan of Test Pit V1

Plan of Test Pit V2 Section BB: Test Pit V2

1:200 1m

1:200 1m

1:200 1m

1:200 1m

N

N

Section AA: Test Pit V1

V101

V105

V102

stone-lineddrainV107

V104

V104V103

V105

V106

V100 V100

V101

21.33m AOD

N WS E

Section AA

stone-lineddrain

V210stone-lined drain

Test Pit V1, looking south (1m scale)

Test Pit V2, looking north (1m scale)

V101 V101

V105 V105

V106 V106

V104 V104

Floor V100 Floor V100

V103 V103

V202 V202

Floor V213 Floor V213

V212 V212

V211 V211

V210V210

stone-lineddrain

stone-lineddrain

V207 V207

V208 V208

V209 V209

V205 V205

V206 V206

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.

3PROJECT NO.DATESCALE@A3


608305/06/20171:20

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Andover 01264 347630


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e [email protected]

Bath Abbey Project Phase One,Bath and NE Somerset

Test Pits V1 and V2: plans, sections and photographs

A A Section location

Situation of Test Pits V1 and V2

Test Pit V3, looking north-west (1m and 0.4m scales) Test Pit V3, looking south-east (1m scale)

sondagesondage

V307

V312V311

V312

V315 V300

V301

V305

V306

V309V309

V306

V306

V308 drain

V310

V313V313

V310

V314former BAT trench

V304

21.32m AOD

E EW S

Section CC

N W

Section CC: Test Pit V3

V300

former BAT trenchV304

BAT trench backfillV302

V314V314BAT trench backfill

V302

C

C

Plan of Test Pit V3

1:200 1m

1:200 1m

N

V301V301









sondagesondage

V313V313

V301

V301

V302

V302

V312V312

V310V310

V309V309

V306V306

V308 drainV308 drain

floorV300floorV300



floorV315floorV315

V311V311V314

Opus SigninumV314

Opus Signinum

V314Opus Signinum

V314Opus Signinum

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.



608305/06/20171:20

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Andover 01264 347630


Exeter 01392 826185



e [email protected]


Test Pits V3: plan, section and photographs

A A

Former BAT trench

Roman layers

Opus Signinum floor

Section location

Situation of Test Pit V3

Test Pit V4, looking north (0.4m scale) Test Pit V4, looking south-east (1m and 0.4m scales)

V401BAT trench backfillpossible location

of formar BAT trench

floor V407

floor V408

V412 V411

V413

V409

ceramic

pipe

V415

D

D

V407

V403

V404

V400

V408

V409

V404

V413

V410

ceramic pipe

stone-lineddrain

V405

V406


V415V414

V412

21.28m AOD

E EW S

Section DD

N W

V401BAT trench backfill


Section DD: Test Pit V4

Plan of Test Pit V4

1:200 1m1:200 1m

N

V407 V407

V408 V408 V413 V413

V401V401

V415Opus Signinum

V415Opus Signinum

V404 V404

V405 V405

V406V406

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.



608305/06/20171:20

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Andover 01264 347630


Exeter 01392 826185



e [email protected]


Test Pits V4: plan, section and photographs

A A

Former BAT trench

Roman layers

Opus Signinum floor

Section location


Section EE: Test Pit V5

1:200 1m

V500

V501

V505

V515

V506

V503V512

V504

V507V511

V508

V509 V508

Possible BAT trenchbackfill V514


V510

21.2mAOD

E NW S

Section EE

stone-lined drainV502

stone-lined drainV502V512

V500

V500

V511

V510

V515replaced floor


V501

V508

V509

E

E



Test Pit V5, looking west (0.4m scale)



V500V500

V515V515

Former BAT trenchV513

Former BAT trenchV513

V514V514

V508V508

V508V508stone-lined drainV502


V510V510

V509V509

Plan of Test Pit V5

1:200 1m

N

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.



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Andover 01264 347630


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e [email protected]


Test Pits V5: plan, section and photograph

A A

Former BAT trench

Roman layers

Section location


Section FF: Test Pit V6

1:200 1m

1:200 1m

V604

V603

V602

V600F

F

V601

V600

V602

V603


V604

21.2mAOD

S N

Section FF

V600former BAT trenchV605

Test Pit V6, looking west (1m scale)

V601V601

V600V600

V602V602

V603V603V604V604



Plan of Test Pit V6

N

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.



608305/06/20171:20

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Andover 01264 347630


Exeter 01392 826185



e [email protected]


Test Pits V6: plan, section and photograph

A A

Former BAT trench

Roman layers

Section location


CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.

8

Plan found at Roman Bath Archive under site code KB93 and AHC93



Andover 01264 347630


Exeter 01392 826185



e [email protected]

608305/06/2017NA

EEDJBSC


Picture showing excavated areas by BAT in 1993

V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6

Test pit (CA 2017)

19

Documents

Kingston Buildings Bath Bath and North-East Somerset€¦ · Kingston Buildings Bath Bath and North-East Somerset Archaeological Watching Brief CA Project: 6083 CA Report: 17301 This