FORMER SOUTHERN ELECTRICITY SITE FARADAY ROAD DORCAN, SWINDON WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION For ICON TWO LIMITED CA REPORT: 05050 APRIL 2005
FORMER SOUTHERN ELECTRICITY SITE FARADAY ROAD DORCAN SWINDON WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATION CA PROJECT: 1925 CA REPORT: 05050 Author: Approved: Signed: Alistair Barber Mary Alexander. Issue: 01 Date: 5 APRIL 2005 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. Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ Tel. 01285 771022 Fax. 01285 771033 E-mail: info@cotswoldarch.org.uk
CONTENTS SUMMARY...2 1. INTRODUCTION... 3 The site... 3 Archaeological background... 4 Archaeological objectives... 4 Methodology... 4 2. RESULTS... 5 Trench 1... 5 Trench 2... 5 Trenches 3A and 3B... 6 The Finds... 6 3. DISCUSSION... 6 4. CA PROJECT TEAM... 7 5. REFERENCES... 7 APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS... 8 APPENDIX 2: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES... 9 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:50,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan (1:1250) 1
SUMMARY Site Name: Former Southern Electricity Site Location: Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon, Wiltshire NGR: SU 19300 84150 Type: Evaluation Date: 18-22 May 2005 Planning Reference: S/03/0419CA Location of Archive: Swindon Museum Site Code: SES 05 An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in March 2005, at the request of Icon Two Limited, within the former Southern Electricity site at Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon, Wiltshire. In compliance with an approved Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) (CA 2005), four trenches were excavated across the development area. Natural clays, cut by modern service trenches and other intrusions, were encountered throughout the site. No archaeological deposits predating the modern period were revealed, the natural clays instead being directly overlain by dump deposits associated with the construction, and subsequent demolition and removal, of modern buildings and external surfaces. 2
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 In March 2005 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Icon Two Limited at the former Southern Electricity site, Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon (centred on NGR: SP 19300 84150; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a planning application for commercial redevelopment of the site. 1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with the requirements of Mr Roy Canham, County Archaeologist for Wiltshire County Council and archaeological advisor to the Local Planning Authority (LPA). The evaluation has been undertaken in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2005) and approved by the LPA acting on the advice of Mr. Canham. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation issued by the Institute of Field Archaeologists (1999), the Standards for Archaeological Assessment and Field Evaluation (WCC Archaeology Service 1995) and the Management of Archaeological Projects II (EH 1991). It was monitored by Mr. Canham, including a site visit on 22nd March 2005. The site 1.3 The site lies on the south-eastern edge of Swindon (Fig. 1). It is bound to the west by Faraday Road, to the east by an electricity depot and to the north and south by commercial premises (Fig. 2). The northern part of the split-level site contains concrete hardstanding throughout and is currently utilised for car parking. The southern part of the site contains a former electricity sub station together with compacted, levelled and mounded debris associated with recent demolition of former Southern Electricity office buildings and external surfaces. Ground level across the northern part of the site is approximately 97.4-97.9m AOD. Across the higher, southern, portion of the site present ground level ranges from approximately 99.2-100.1m AOD. 1.4 The underlying geology of the area is mapped as Kimmeridge Clay and sands of the Upper Jurassic period (Geological Survey of Great Britain 1974). 3
Archaeological background 1.5 Archaeological interest in the site arises from the proximity of the site to the line of the Roman road from Cunetio (Mildenhall, Wilts) to Corinium (Cirencester, Glos). This remained a significant feature in the landscape well into the early modern period, and is now reflected in the line of the modern A419. Great Moor Leaze Farm to the south east is one of many sites in the area where Romano-British pottery and building materials suggest the Roman road attracted settlement and associated activities. In the wider vicinity of the site, approximately 1km to the south, pits containing late Bronze or Early Iron Age pottery and a probable kiln site were excavated indicating a significant level of prehistoric activity in the area (CA 1999, Foundations Archaeology, 2002). Archaeological objectives 1.6 The objectives of the evaluation were to establish the character, quality, date, significance and extent of any archaeological remains or deposits surviving within the site. This information will assist the Local Planning Authority in making an informed judgement on the likely impact upon the archaeological resource by the proposed development. Methodology 1.7 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of four trenches (trenches 1 and 2 both 30m in length by 1.6m wide, trench 3A was 27.5m by 1.6m and trench 3B was 24m by 1.6m wide). With the approval of Mr. Canham all four trench positions were revised from those set out in the preceding WSI (and trench 3 split into two sections, 3A and 3B) due to live services, surface obstructions and the presence of an active car park. 1.8 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 1: Excavation Recording Manual (1996). 4
1.9 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential but none required sampling and processing in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other samples from Archaeological Sites (2003). Modern finds were noted within demolition deposits but no artefacts required retention and processing in accordance with the CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately After Excavation (1995). 1.10 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the site archive (including artefacts) will be deposited with Swindon Museum. 2. RESULTS 2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts are to be found in Appendix 1. Details of the relative heights of the principal deposits, expressed as metres Above Ordnance Datum (m AOD), appear in Appendix 2. Trench 1 2.2 Natural clays 103 were encountered at a depth of 0.4m below existing ground level. No subsoil or topsoil horizon survived above the natural clays, which were instead cut by three modern intrusions 104, 106 and 108. These modern features, representing service lines and/or removed footings, contained yellow gravel fills with abundant brick and concrete inclusions. They were sealed by a layer of orange clay 102, containing modern demolition material, and by a compact layer of crushed stone and concrete 101. Trench 2 2.3 Natural clays 202 were encountered at a depth of 0.5m below present ground level, and had been punctured by a series of modern intrusions 203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 5
213 and 216 representing service lines, removed footings and modern postholes. Their angular sandstone and gravel fills contained abundant demolition material, including fragmentary brick and concrete, and were overlain by a compact layer of crushed concrete 201. Trenches 3A and 3B 2.4 The natural clays 303 were present at a depth of 0.5m below present ground level in both trenches. These clays were directly overlain by a geotechnical membrane, above which was a compact layer of gravel 302 which supported the extant concrete car park surface 301. The Finds 2.5 No artefactual material was encountered during the course of the evaluation, with the exception of modern finds noted within layers of demolition material but not retained. 3. DISCUSSION 3.1 The evaluation has established that no archaeological features predating the modern period, if once present, survive within the areas examined. Former soil horizons within the site appear to have been entirely removed immediately prior to construction of the former Southern Electricity buildings and external surfaces. In addition the natural clays, where examined, have been truncated and extensively cut during these pre-construction landscaping works and as a result of the insertion, and subsequent removal, of footing and service runs. 6
4. CA PROJECT TEAM Fieldwork was undertaken by Alistair Barber, assisted by Michael Rowe. The report was written by Alistair Barber and the illustrations prepared by Lorna Gray. The archive has been compiled by Alistair Barber, and prepared for deposition by Sam Inder. The project was managed for CA by Mary Alexander. 5. REFERENCES CA (Cotswold Archaeology), 1999 Commonhead Roundabout Site, Swindon, Wiltshire: Archaeological Evaluation, CA typescript report no. 991104 CA 2005 Former Southern Electricity Site, Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon, Wiltshire. Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation Foundations Archaeology, 2002 Commonhead Roundabout, Park and Ride, Liddington, Borough of Swindon: Archaeological Evaluation, report no. 249 Geological Survey of Great Britain, 1974 Swindon, Solid and Drift Edition. Sheet 252. 1: 63360 WA (Wessex Archaeology), 2001 A419 Commonhead Roundabout, Swindon, Wiltshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, ref: 50146.2 7
APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS Trench 1 101 Modern demolition debris: compacted layer of fragmentary concrete and yellow gravels. Averaged 0.25m in thickness. 102 Modern demolition debris: orange clay with blue mottling, containing abundant fragmentary stone, brick, metal, plastic and concrete. Averaged 0.15m in thickness. 103 Natural orange sandy-clay with blue mottling. At 0.4m depth below present ground level. 104 Modern intrusion: straight cut, aligned east/west, with vertical sides. Not fully excavated/tested. Possible removed footing line or service trench. 0.2m + width, depth unknown. 105 Fill of 104: yellow gravel with modern brick and concrete fragments. 106 Modern intrusion: straight cut, aligned east/west, sides and base not tested.? former footing line (removed) or service trench. 14m+ in length and 0.85m+ in width. 107 Fill of 106: yellow gravel with modern brick and concrete fragments. 108 Modern intrusion: irregular cut. Sides and base not tested.? former footing line (removed) or service trench. 109 Fill of 108: yellow gravel with modern brick and concrete fragments. Trench 2 201 Modern demolition debris: compacted layer of fragmentary concrete and yellow gravels. Averaged 0.5m in thickness 202 Natural orange sandy-clay with blue mottling. At 0.5m depth below present ground level. 203 Modern intrusion: straight cut with vertical sides and flat base, northeast/southwest aligned, 1.6m + in width, 2.8m+ in length and 1.5m in depth.? removed footing line. 204 Fill of 204: yellow gravel with modern brick and concrete fragments 205 Modern posthole: sub square, 0.15m x 0.15m. Not excavated. 206 Fill of 205: purple-white angular sandstone scalpings. 207 Modern posthole: sub square, 0.15m x 0.15m. Not excavated. 208 Fill of 207: purple-white angular sandstone scalpings. 209 Modern posthole: sub square, 0.15m x 0.15m. Not excavated. 210 Fill of 209: purple-white angular sandstone scalpings. 211 Modern posthole: sub square, 0.15m x 0.15m. Not excavated. 212 Fill of 211: purple-white angular sandstone scalpings. 213 Modern pipe trench: 2m in width, northeast/southwest aligned, sides and base not excavated. 214 Ceramic pipe within cut 213. 215 Fill of 213: yellow gravels. 216 Modern intrusion: Irregular cut, east/west aligned, sides and base not examined. Possible removed footings. 217 Fill of 216: yellow gravels with concrete fragments. 218 Modern deposit of purple-white sandstone scalpings, compacted, overlying natural clays throughout central part of trench Trench 3A 301 Modern car-park surface: perforated concrete approximately 0.1m in thickness. 302 Modern yellow gravels, compacted, above geotechnical membrane. 0.4m in thickness. 303 Natural orange sandy-clay with blue mottling. At 0.5m depth below present ground level Trench 3B 301 Modern car-park surface: perforated concrete approximately 0.1m in thickness. 302 Modern yellow gravels, compacted, above geotechnical membrane. 0.4m in thickness. 303 Natural orange sandy-clay with blue mottling. At 0.5m depth below present ground level 8
APPENDIX 2: LEVELS OF PRINCIPAL DEPOSITS AND STRUCTURES Levels are expressed as metres below current ground level and as metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), calculated using a spot height located at the junction of the A419 and Wheatstone Road (99.43m AOD). Trench 1 Trench 2 Trench 3A Trench 3B Current ground level 0.00m (100.13m) 0.00m (99.18-99.88m) 0.00m (97.87m) 0.00m (97.44-97.77m) Limit of excavation 0.4m (99.73m) 0.5m (98.68-99.38m) 0.5m (97.37m) 0.5m (96.94-97.27m) Upper figures are depth below modern ground level, lower figures in parentheses are metres AOD. 9
Reproduced from the 1998 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A N Site 0 2.5km COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT TITLE Former Southern Electricity site, Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon FIGURE TITLE Swindon Site location plan SCALE 1:25,000@A4 PROJECT NO. 1925 FIGURE NO. 1
Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Superplan map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust AL50196A N 193 842 3B 3A 2 1 841 SU 0 100m COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY site evaluation trench showing modern intrusions PROJECT TITLE Former Southern Electricity site, Faraday Road, Dorcan, Swindon FIGURE TITLE Trench location plan SCALE PROJECT NO. 1:1000@A4 1925 FIGURE NO. 2