Cirencester Sewage Treatment WorksSouth Cerney
GloucestershireArchaeological Watching Brief
foreight20
on behalf ofThames Water
CA Project: 5548CA Report: 15741
October 2015
Cirencester Sewage Treatment WorksSouth Cerney
Gloucestershire
Archaeological Watching Brief
CA Project: 5548CA Report: 15741
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 GridRevision Date Author Checked by Status Reasons for
revisionApproved
byA 02 October
2015Sian
ReynishLuke
Brannlund
Cliff Bateman
Internal review
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
CONTENTS
SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................2
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................3
2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND................................................................3
3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES...................................................................................4
4. METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................4
5. RESULTS (FIG. 2) .............................................................................................4
7. CA PROJECT TEAM..........................................................................................5
8. REFERENCES...................................................................................................5
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS....................................................................7
APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM...........................................................................8
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONSFig. 1 Site location plan (1;25,000)
Fig. 2 The site, showing location of observed groundworks (1:750)
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
SUMMARY
Project Name: Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works
Location: South Cerney, Gloucestershire
NGR: SU 0345 9700
Type: Watching Brief
Date: 3-28 August 2015
Location of Archive: To be deposited with Corinium Museum
Site Code: SEW 15
An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during
groundworks associated with the construction of a new pumping station, filters and
associated ducts at Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works (STW), South Cerney,
Gloucestershire.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and
no artefactual material was recovered.
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 In August 2015 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological watching
brief at Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works (STW), South Cerney, Gloucestershire
(centred on NGR: NGR SU 0345 9700; Fig. 1). The watching brief comprised
Permitted Development for the construction of a new pumping station, filters and
associated ducts but is governed by Thames Water’s responsibilities under the
Code of Practice on Conservation, Access and Recreation.
1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a Written Scheme of
Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2015). The fieldwork also followed Standard
and guidance: Archaeological watching brief (CIfA 2014), the Management of
Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), and the Management of
Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide
(EH 2006).
The site1.3 The proposed development area is contained within the existing STW. The
underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Kellaways Clay Member –
Mudstone overlain by superficial deposits of Northmoor Sand and Gravel (BGS
2015). Sands and gravels were encountered within the site.
2. ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
2.1 The site lies in an area of known archaeological potential. In particular a programme
of archaeological recording undertaken 300m+ to the south and west of the current
site, in advance of gravel quarrying at Shorncote Quarry, identified a small Neolithic
and Bronze Age barrow cemetery, Deverel Rimbury cremation cemetery, open late
Bronze Age settlement, Iron Age settlement, and Romano-British settlement and
agricultural features (Hearne & Heaton 1994 and Brossler et al 2002).
2.2 An archaeological watching brief undertaken during drainage works associated with
previous upgrading within the STW identified three undated ditches that correlate
closely with the alignment and dimensions of Iron Age ditches previously excavated
during the Shorncote Quarry excavations (CA 2004).
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
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;
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 2015). An
archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks within nine areas (recorded
as Trenches 1 to 9 inclusive; see Fig. 2 for locations and extent).
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
and will be deposited with Corinium Museum. A summary of information from this
project set out within Appendix B will be entered onto the OASIS online database of
archaeological projects in Britain.
5. RESULTS (FIG. 2)
5.1 The natural geological substrate was revealed within Trenches 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8 at an
average depth of 0.45m bpgl, overlain by subsoil. The subsoil was typically sealed
by made ground, that was in turn overlain by topsoil. Evidence for tree throws and
modern services were observed in Trench 8 cutting into the natural sands and
gravels.
5.2 Within Trenches 2, 3, 6 and 9 the observed groundworks only penetrated into the
subsoil deposits. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
during the groundworks and, despite visual scanning of spoil, no artefactual material
pre-dating the modern period was recovered.
6. DISCUSSION
6.1 Despite the archaeological potential of the application area (see archaeological
background above), the watching brief identified no archaeological remains within
the area of observed groundworks. The survival of the in-situ subsoil deposits
suggests that the site was not subject to wholesale truncation during construction of
the STW. The absence of archaeological features/deposits may therefore indicate
that the prehistoric and Roman activity previously identified to the south of the site
does not extend as far as, or were not exposed by the development.
7. CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Sian Reynish. The report was written by Sian Reynish
and Luke Brannlund. The illustrations were prepared by Rosanna Price. The archive
has been compiled by, and prepared for deposition by Hazel O’Neill. The project
was managed for CA by Cliff Bateman.
8. REFERENCES
BGS (British Geological Survey) 2015 Geology of Britain Viewer
http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html (accessed 01
October 2015)
Brossler, A., Gocher, M., Laws, L. and Roberts M. 2002 ‘Shorncote Quarry: excavations of
a late prehistoric landscape in the Upper Thames Valley, 1997 and 1998’ in Trans.
Bristol Gloucestershire Archaeol. Soc. 120, 37-87
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2004 Cirencester Sewage Works, Siddington, Gloucestershire:
Programme of Archaeological Recording. CA typescript report 04174
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2015 Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works, South Cerney,
Gloucestershire; Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching
Brief
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
Hearne, C.M. and Heaton, M.J. 1994 ‘Excavations at a Late Bronze Age settlement in the
Upper Thames Valley at Shorncote Quarry near Cirencester 1992’ in Trans. Bristol
Gloucestershire Archaeol. Soc. 112, 17-57
© Cotswold Archaeology
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
Trench No.
Context No.
Type Fill of Context interpretation
Description L (m) W (m)
Depth/thickness (m)
1 100 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.05
1 101 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.11 102 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.051 103 Layer Natural Light grey-yellow sand gravel n/a
2 200 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.15
2 201 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.18
2 202 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.05+
3 300 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.15
3 301 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.22a
3 302 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.1+
4 400 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.25
4 401 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.15
4 402 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.1
4 403 Layer Natural Light grey-yellow sand gravel n/a
5 500 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.1
5 501 Layer Made Ground Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.2
5 502 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.1
5 503 Layer Natural Light grey-yellow sand gravel n/a
6 600 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.15
6 601 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.3+
7 700 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.1
7 701 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.6
7 702 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.1
7 703 Layer Natural Light grey-yellow sand gravel n/a
8 800 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.25
8 801 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.15
8 802 Layer Natural Light grey-yellow sand gravel n/a
9 900 Layer Topsoil Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt 0.25
9 901 Layer Made Ground Mid-dark grey-brown sand silt with modern inclusions
0.15
9 902 Layer Subsoil Mid yellow-brown sand silt 0.1+
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Cirencester STW, South Cerney Gloucestershire: Archaeological Watching Brief
APPENDIX B: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name Cirencester STW
Short description An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the construction of a new pumping station, filters and associated ducts at Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works (STW), South Cerney, Gloucestershire.
No features or deposits of archaeological interest were observed during groundworks, and no artefactual material was recovered.
Project dates 3-28 August 2015Project type Watching Brief
Previous work CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2004 Cirencester Sewage Works, Siddington, Gloucestershire: Programme of Archaeological Recording. CA typescript report 04174
Future work Unknown
PROJECT LOCATIONSite Location Cirencester STW, South Cerney, GloucestershireStudy area (M2/ha) 0.8haSite co-ordinates SU 0345 9700
PROJECT CREATORSName of organisation Cotswold ArchaeologyProject Brief originator N/AProject Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology
Project Manager Cliff BatemanProject Supervisor Sian ReynishMONUMENT TYPE NoneSIGNIFICANT FINDS NonePROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive Content
Physical n/a n/aPaper Corinium Museum Trench SheetsDigital Corinium Museum Digital photos BIBLIOGRAPHY
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2015 Cirencester STW, South Cerney, Gloucestershire: Archaeological Evaluation.CA typescript report 15741
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Reproduced from the 2009 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
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Site location plan
PROJECT NO.DATESCALE@A4
DRAWN BYCHECKED BYAPPROVED BY
554814.10.151:25,000
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Andover 01264 347630
Cirencester 01285 771022
Exeter 01392 826185
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
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Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey digital mapping with the permission ofOrdnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office© Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109.
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PROJECT NO.DATESCALE@A3
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PROJECT TITLE
Cirencester Sewage Treatment Works
FIGURE TITLE
The site, showing location of observedgroundworks
FIGURE NO.
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