419: 4 Castle Street, Caerleon, Newport. Watching Brief, APAC LTD
419: 4 Castle Street, Caerleon, Newport. Watching Brief, APAC LTD
A.P.A.C. Ltd.
Prepared For:
Newport City Council
Planning Application No: 18/0497
Summary
A.P.A.C. Ltd was commissioned by the Client to carry out an archaeological watching brief on land to the
rear of 4 Castle Street, Caerleon, Newport (centred on National Grid Reference (NGR): ST 34237
90468).
The majority of the development area was confined to layers of post-medieval deliberate backfilling
associated with the construction of the current properties.
Fe gyflogwyd APAC Ltd i gynnal gorchwyl gwylio archeolegol ar dir tu ôl i 4 Castle Street, Caerllion,
Casnewydd (CGC: ST 34237 90468).
Roedd rhan fwyaf o’r safle yn cynnwys ôl-lenwadau, ôl-ganoloesol yn gysylltiedig gyda chodi’r
adeiladau presennol.
Copyright Notice: A.P.A.C. Ltd retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100045677) to reproduce map information; Copyright
remains otherwise with the Ordnance Survey.
Cover photograph: Post Excavation Image of Site, IMG_1779 (© A.P.A.C. Ltd 2019)
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Contents
Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Contents........................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Location ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Topography and Geology ................................................................................................................ 4
Brief Archaeological and Historical Background ........................................................................... 4
Aims and Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 6
Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 6
Results ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Finds ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Ceramic ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Glass ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Metal............................................................................................................................................ 8
Bone ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Finds Summary ........................................................................................................................... 9
Environmental ................................................................................................................................. 9
Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Archive .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 11
Copyright ....................................................................................................................................... 11
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Figures
Figure 1 Location
Figure 2 Post-Excavation Plan of Site
Figure 3 Representative Sections
Plates
Plate 1 Pre-excavation shot showing level of disturbance prior to watching brief commencing
Plate 2 Pre-excavation shot showing level of disturbance prior to watching brief commencing
Plate 3 Northwest facing section of extension area with additional footing depth
Plate 4 West-southwest facing section of extension area with additional footing depth
Plate 5 Post-excavation shot of the extension area
Appendices
Appendix 1 Context Index and Matrix
Appendix 2 Map progressions
Appendix 3 Finds Index and Assemblage Photographs
Appendix 4 Complete Site Photograph Archive
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Introduction
This report results from a condition to a planning application for a two-storey rear extension at Puffin Cottage, 4
Castle Street, Caerleon, Newport: NP18 1BR, (hereafter the Site) centred on National Grid Reference (NGR): ST
34237 90468. The planning application (18/0497) was made to Newport City Council (hereafter NCC).
The programme of works comprised of a watching brief during the intrusive groundworks associated with the
proposed development to assess the potential, level of, presence or absence of surviving archaeological remains
across the site.
The groundworks were supervised and conducted by Simon Reames in December 2018. The report was written by
Simon Reames.
Location
The Site is located within the southern extent of Caerleon town centre along the B4236, and north of the River Usk
(Figure 1).
The Site is bounded to the northeast and southwest by neighbouring residential structures, to the southeast by the
outbuildings of a further residential structure and to the northwest by the current; Puffin Cottage, domestic structure.
The Site occupies a gently sloping parcel of land (from north to south) encompassing an area of approximately
20.25m² and sits at an elevation of approximately 13.7m above Ordnance Datum (AOD).
The underlying natural geology of the area comprises interbedded argillaceous rocks and sandstone from the St
Maughans Formation and superficial deposits of sand and gravel river terrace deposits (British Geological Survey,
2019).
A large Iron Age fortification, Lodge Hill Hillfort, occupies a hilltop at the north-western edge of Caerleon
commanding view over the mouth of the Usk Valley and parts of the Severn Estury. The Triple banked defensive
circuit, with numerous outworks, encloses approximately 2.2 hectares (Howell & Pollard, 2000). Evidence of
defensive slighting exists within the earthen defences which testify to the hillfort likely being out of use, at least
defensively, by the time the legionary fortress was established in Caerleon c. AD74.
The establishment of the 2nd Augusta’s legionary fortress of Isca (Caerleon) was undertaken following the
abandonment of the 20th Valerix Victrix’s earlier fortress at nearby Usk (Frere, 1987) and evacuation of the 2nd
Augusta’s earlier base at Gloucester. This was done under the general ship of Sextus Julius Frontuinus and allowed
the 2nd Augusta a closer staging post for operations against the Silures as well as establishing easier communication
routes both inland to central Wales and by both land and sea to the fertile Vale of Glamorgan (Salway, 1998).
Consolidation of the legionary fortress in stone, from an originally earth and timber structure, took place certainly
before AD100 (Frere, 1987), and possibly prior to the construction of the large amphitheatre in Caerleon in c.
AD90. With the establishment of the legionary fortress a permanent base for the 2nd Augusta , as well as harbour
and storage complexes developing on the banks of the River Usk, a civilian canabae settlement outside of the fort’s
walls began to develop. The fortress at Caerleon would have acted as the permanent base for the 2nd Augusta up
until AD208 when the legion was moved to Carpow as part of Septimus Severus’s Scottish campaign, where they
would remain before returning to Caerleon in c. AD235. The fortress was subsequently abandoned at the end of the
3rd century AD (Soulsby, 1983).
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
The Roman withdrawal from Britain in AD410 would have seen a severe decline in activity across the town as
evidence for the reoccupation of Lodge Hill Hillfort in this period attests to (Howell & Pollard, 2000). The
archaeological record shows a general dearth of evidence for activity from the post-Roman period across Caerleon.
The Medieval Period sees a second hiatus, with the construction of a Norman defensive motte of Caerleon castle
(Cadw ref:MM014) located just north of the Castle Street Site. The castle itself, built adjacent to the Roman fortress,
is thought to have begun as a timber motte and bailey castle. The town fell to William Marshall in 1217 and
William Marshall the Younger later strengthened the castle in stone erecting a curtain wall with round towers. Of
the three known defensive towers only one survives; incorporated within the building “The Hanbury Arms”, a 16th
Century grade II listed building (Cadw Ref: Building ID: 2995); which is a few hundred meters west of the castle St
Site.
The castle thus resisted the 1231 attack of Llywelyn the Great, though the town is said to have been reduced to ashes
(Soulsby, 1983, Pettifer, 2000). This destruction of the town likely explains the absence of any borough charter
being granted until 1324. The town was again attacked in 1402 by Owain Glyndwr after which the castle fell into a
state of disrepair; marking the end of Caerleon’s military importance.
The Church of St Cadoc's, grade II* listed building (Cadw Ref: Building ID: 2948), is also added to during the
Norman period but its foundation was of probable early Christian, Roman date. Medieval occupation outside of the
Norman castle continues with occupation and find spots scattered throughout the village. Medieval occupation is
attested in the neighbouring settlements across the river linked by a bridge with opposing towers one of which is
built into the afore mentioned Hanbury Arms.
Also of note and, quite close to the property, (a few doors down to the south west of number 4), along Castle street is
an 18th century Baptist chapel.
“was built in 1764 possibly by the builder Haman Davies of London and rebuilt in 1821 by the builder Mr
Batchelor of Newcastle. This chapel was enlarged in 1826 and altered again c.1900”. Cofflein
The Llangattock-Juxta-Caerleon 1839 tithe map, (fig 02a), shows the building situated within a row of buildings that
appear alongside “Castle Street”. The houses appear be fairly well established by this point.
The apportionment No:32 lists the area as 6 cottages with gardens, with the field to the south of the properties listed
as “wood”.
The land and all cottages are listed under the ownership of one “Poulton, Elizabeth” with the occupiers of the houses
listed, Webb James, John Watkins, Richard Belcher, Mary Morris, Horton Charles and Morgan John.
The 1886 NLS map, (fig 02b), shows the building in the same formation; however, the map shows the building/s in
more detail suggesting the possibility that they were either once orientated differently or have been extended at a
later date.
The detail has been lost by the 1902, NLS map, (fig 02c), showing the building formation as a single block/row of
cottages with no visual evidence of any change between the builds.
By the 1954 OS map, (fig 02d), nothing appears to have changed on the buildings, however, to the south some of
the land has been separated and an outbuilding/ building has been erected.
The information gleaned from the cartographic evidence would suggest the houses where well established by at least
the early half of the 19th century, with little of change to current times.
Whilst statutorily protected archaeological features of Roman and medieval date are extremely prevalent in the
immediate area (Roman Fortress MM230, Caerleon Civil Settlement MM231/244, Caerleon Castle Mound MM14),
two previous watching briefs undertaken in relatively close proximity to the site: Tan House Drive, Caerleon, MA
2004, showed little to no significant remains whilst Castle Mews, Caerleon APAC. Ltd, WB/CMC/16, showed
intact Roman horizons with prevalent ceramic remains.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Thus, there remains the possibility of intact Roman and/or medieval material being present within the assessment
area.
The aims of an archaeological watching brief, as defined by the Charted Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA, 2014)
are:
• To ensure that any buried remains located within the development area are fully investigated and recorded
if revealed as a consequence of the site works;
• To provide an opportunity for the archaeologists present to signal to all interested parties, before the
destruction of the material in question, that an archaeological fid has been made for which the resources of
the watching brief itself are not sufficient to support treatment to a satisfactory and proper standard;
• If such a find is made, representatives of both the client and the regional Development Control
Officer/County Archaeologist will be informed and a site meeting organised, as appropriate.
In accordance with the agreed Written Scheme of Investigation (A.P.A.C., 2019) the general aims of the watching
brief were to:
• Establish the presence/absence of archaeological structures or other significant features within the works
area;
• Elucidate the character, distribution, extent and importance of any identified archaeological deposits;
• Preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological deposits uncovered during
groundworks.
Methodology
All land within the boundaries of the site were subjected to archaeological monitoring.
The land within the footprint of the development area was opened by hand due to access restrictions for a
mechanical excavator. The overburden was excavated down, under constant archaeological supervision, to the top
of the archaeological horizon or undisturbed natural geology, whichever occurred first.
All spoil from the excavation was visually examined for artefacts.
A unique site code (WB/CCS/18) was allocated for all aspects of the project archive produced as a result of the on-
site works. All recording was undertaken using A.P.A.C. Ltd’s pro forma recording system. Sections and plans
were drawn at recognised scales on drafting film as necessary. Digital photographs were taken in high resolution
Jpeg or RAW format before conversion to TIFF format for archival storage.
All work was carried out in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work act 1974 and the Management of Health
and Safety Regulations 1992.
Health and Safety considerations were of paramount importance in conducting all fieldwork. Safe working practises
overrode archaeological considerations at all times.
A risk assessment for the works was drawn up by A.P.A.C. Ltd and made available to all staff on site prior to the
commencement of the project.
Results
All cuts are denotated with square brackets [ ], deposits with curved brackets ( ), structures with brackets { } and
surfaces with angled brackets < >.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Prior to the commencement of the watching brief, the previous lean-to structure had been demolished and a majority
of the foundations had been removed. Once A.P.A.C. Ltd. had been informed of this, all excavation ceased with
immediate effect until the site could be archaeologically assessed to determine the extent of any sub-surface
disturbance. This took place on 27/03/2019. Minimum intrusion into new ground had been caused with the
disturbance confined to the original foundation trenches for the lean-to structure. A photographic record was taken
(Plates 1-2) and the groundworks recommenced.
The watching brief comprised monitoring of approximately 6.91m³ of further ground reduction by hand around the
perimeter of the Site (Figure 2) for a ring beam foundation. Recording of the north-western boundary section of the
Site with the neighbouring property was not able to take place due to health and safety concerns regarding the
stability of the ground and potential undermining of the neighbouring property. Shoring was put in place and this
section was covered at all times.
The on-site watching brief was conducted over a period of three days.
Superficial geology (108) was encountered at a depth of 10.66m aOD in the south-eastern corner of the Site.
Deposit (108) consisted of a reddish-brown silty-clay with firm, clear edges and common sub-rounded coarse
components. The deposit measured only 0.24m in length, 0.4m in width and 0.03m in depth.
Immediately above the superficial geology (108) was a mid-brown silty-clay deposit (105) consisting of firm, clear
edges and common sub-angular to sub-rounded coarse components. Deposit (105), which measured 4.5m in length
and 0.5m at its deepest excavated point, was confined to the eastern edge of the Site and appeared to be a mixture of
remnant top/subsoils horizons and deliberate backfilling. A single sherd of pottery was retrieved from this deposit.
A 0.2m wide area of deposit (105) was unable to be excavated as excavation would have undermined an existing
live waste water pipe ({106}).
Deposit (104) measured 4.5m in length, 4.5m in width and 0.45m in depth and was observed throughout the Site
area. Deposit (104) consisted of a firm dark-brown/black silty-clay material with clear edges and common sub-
rounded 10-250mm coarse components. Post-medieval artefacts were prevalent throughout the deposit as well as
flecks of charcoal, crushed building material (CBM) and mortar which were not retained. Deposit (104) was a
deliberate dump of material to increase the ground level/create a level area for the construction of the current Castle
Street structures.
At the southern extreme of the Site and immediately overlying deposit (104) was surface <107> (Figure 3, Plate 3).
This surface was composed of a 0.06m deep concrete bedding layer with modern concrete patio slabs bedded into it
which formed the current external patio surface. The depth of the bedding layer was deeper by 0.06m in the north-
eastern corner where it was situated immediately above a series of large (160mm by 130mm) sub-rounded river
gravels used as consolidation for a modern set of concrete external steps.
Confined to the north-western area of Site, deposit (104) was overlain with a loose, reddish-brown silty with rare
sub-rounded coarse components (109). This deposit measured 0.72m in width and 0.18m in depth and was another
dump of material from an external source into the area to consolidate the existing ground or raise the ground surface
to create a level platform for the current structure to be built off of.
Deposit (109) was immediately under a 0.27m deep deposit of firm mid-brown silty-clay with clear edges and
common sub-rounded coarse components, (110) which was also only observed in the north-western corner of the
Site. Deposit (110) was a further deliberate dump of material similar to deposits (104) and (109) used to increase
and consolidate the ground surface for construction of the current structure.
Immediately above deposit (109) were the foundations of structure {111}, the current Puffin Cottage. Structure
{111} contained a mixture of reused Roman and medieval dressed stone as well as large, sub-rounded river gravels.
Bricks were only evident near the previous ground surface at the base of the door.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
At the eastern edge of the Site, deposit (104) was overlain by a loose, mid-brown silty-clay with sharp edges, (103),
that measured 1.4m in length and 0.05m in depth. Deposit (103) was a further deliberate backfill that consisted of
abundant mortar and charcoal flecks associated with the construction of the current property.
Deposit (103) was truncated by cut [112] that was formed from steep, concave sides and a rounded base that
measured 0.5m (as excavated) in width and 0.55m in depth. Cut [112] lay on a southwest to northeast alignment
and contained a modern salt-glazed waste water pipe {106} at the base followed by deliberate backfill (113) of the
excavated material immediately above. Deposit (113) consisted of a loose dark-brown silty-clay with diffuse edges
and poorly sorted sub-rounded coarse components.
Above deposit (113) was deposit (102) which consisted of a firm dark-brown silty clay with clear edges and minor
root bioturbation. Deposit (102) measured 0.05m in depth and was very similar in appearance to deposit (104)
indicating this deposit is another small dump of deliberate backfill to gain height or consolidate the ground. The
firm nature of this deposit can be attributed to the weight of the structures superseding it, {101} and {100}.
Structure {101} was situated in the eastern area of Site forming part of the boundary with the neighbouring property
(Figure 3, Plate 4). Structure {101} measure 2.4m in length and 0.2m in depth on a northwest to southeast
alignment and consisted of a mixture of reused stone and modern bricks bedded into a black mortar which formed
the foundation for boundary wall {100}.
Structure {100} was the current boundary wall with the neighbouring eastern property and measured 5m in length
by 1.66m in height. The wall was constructed of modern bricks and mortar with the majority of the upper portion
having been rendered.
Finds
The watching brief produced a limited range of finds which after processing were returned to the client.
A complete finds index of all artefacts retrieved during the excavation is listed in Appendix 2
Ceramic
The majority of pottery retrieved was from deposit (104) which was predominantly post-medieval in date however,
14 sherds were dated to between the 12th to 13th centuries
A single shard dating to between the 12th to 13th centuries was recovered from deposit (105).
13 clay pipe stems and one clay pipe bowl were recovered from the watching brief, all from deposit (104) and dated
to the 18th century.
Six pieces of CBM were retrieved from deposit (104) and dated to between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Glass
A single glass shard dating to between the 18th to 19th centuries was retrieved from deposit (104). A single 19th to
20th century glass bead was also retrieved from the same context.
Metal
Four undiagnostic metal pieces were recovered from deposit (104). A single metal button dating to the 18th to 19th
century was also recovered from the same context.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Bone
A total of 25 animal bone fragments were recovered from the watching brief. These were retrieved from deposit
(104). Three oyster shells were also recovered from the same context.
Finds Summary
The limited finds assemblage from 4 Castle Street, Caerleon represents a post-medieval date with some residual
medieval dating within.
Bar a single sherd retrieved from deposit (105), all artefacts were from deposit (104). Given the mixed nature of
this deposit, it is possible the medieval pottery is residual from a disturbed topsoil horizon occurring during the
construction of the present domestic structures.
All the medieval pottery retrieved from the watching brief was 12th to 13th century in date while the post-medieval
pottery covered a date range from the 17th to 20th centuries.
Environmental
No material suitable for environmental analysis was demonstrated to be present within the impacted areas.
Conclusions
The watching brief undertaken at 4 Castle Street, Caerleon was unsuccessful in identifying any archaeological
remains within the development area.
Deposit (105) potentially represents a remnant sub-soil horizon that can be dated to the 12th to 13th century.
The majority of the Site has been built up through multiple dumps of deliberate backfill (104) to create a level area
for construction of the current properties along Castle Street. The majority of datable material encountered indicate
a post-medieval date for this landscaping however the presence of pottery dating to between the 12th and 13th
centuries suggest the dumping of post-medieval material onto a sealed medieval horizon.
Modern intrusion in the form of the waste water system {106} have only impacted upon the recent built up layers
thereby reducing the impact of any in situ archaeology beneath.
The final dig depth for the development was located within a layer of later deliberate backfill and all archaeological
features at a deeper depth will remain preserved in situ.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Archive
The project archives will consist of all original records, and relevant documentation relating to the
archaeological watching brief
The archives will be prepared according to the Management of Archaeological Projects, English Heritage,
MoRPHE V1.2 (2015) so the records will be fully ordered and indexed.
Copies of the archive, following current guidelines, will be deposited with GGAT HER:
http://www.ggat.org.uk/her/downloads/Guidance%20for%20the%20Submission%20of%20Data%20to%20Wel
sh%20HERs.pdf
and RCAHMW:
https://rcahmw.gov.uk/wp-content/.../RCAHMW-Guidelines-for-Digital-Archives.pdf
The archives will be deposited within twelve months of the completion of the watching brief and with the
agreement of the landowner.
The original archive for the watching brief will be retained by APAC Ltd.
A copy of the final report & WSI will be deposited with the regional HER for Monmouthshire held by the
Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust in Swansea.
Acknowledgements
A.P.A.C. Ltd would like to thank the client for granting access to the site and to the on-site contractors for their
assistance throughout the excavation. Thanks also to Mr A. Phillips for finds processing and analysis.
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A.P.A.C. Ltd 4 Castle Street, Caerleon WB/CCS/18
Bibliography
A.P.A.C. Ltd, 2019, Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief: WB/CCS/18 4 Castle
Street, Caerleon, Newport, WSI:WB/CCS/18, Poject No: 419
Charted Institute for Archaeologists, 2014, Standard and Guidance for an Archaeological Watching Brief
Howell, R. & Pollard, J., 2000, Caerleon – Lodge Wood Camp, Archaeology in Wales, Vol 40 pp 81-83
Salway, P., 1998, Roman Britain – Oxford History of England, Oxford University Press, Oxford
Soulsby, I., 1983, The Towns of Medieval Wales, Phillimore & Co Ltd, Chichester
Copyright
A.P.A.C. Ltd will retain full copyright of any reports and specialist reports, under the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act of 1988 with all rights reserved.
A.P.A.C. Ltd hereby gives permission for the monitoring authority to use any documentation directly relating to the
project as described in this Project Design.
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577)
34000
35000
91000
Assessment Area
0 500m
Fig 1: Map showing general location of assessment area APAC Ltd WB/CCS/18
4 Castle Street, Caerleon, Newport
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577)
N N
0 50
0 50
M
M
Fig 02a: Llangattock-Juxta-Caerleon,Tithe map. Published 1839. Fig 02b: Monmouthshire XXIX. Surveyed 1881-1882.
Published 1886.
N N
0 50 0 50
M M
Fig 02c: Monmouthshire XXIX.SW. Revised 1899-1900. Fig 02d: Monmouthshire XXIX.SW
A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/CSS/18
Published 1902. revised 1949. Published 1954
4 Castle Streeet, Caerleon
<107>
C D
(104)
B
{106}
{111}
0 4m
N Key
Section Line
{100}
12m
{101}
(103) (102)
(113)
(104)
X
X
X
X X
X
(105)
X
0 1m
C D
11.8m
<107>
XXXXXX
XX
XXXX
XXXXXX XXXX
XXXX
X X
X
Stone
(105)
Mortar Flecks
(108)
0 1m
XXXXXX
XXXX
XX
Charcoal Flecks
Roots
Photograph
0 4m
N
Photograph
0 4m
N
Photograph
Scale: 1x1m
0 4m
N
Photograph
Scale: 1x1m
0 4m
N
Photograph
Scale: 2x1m
0 4m
N
DSC01950
104
DSC01948
105
DSC01946
103
DSC01945
103
A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix II WB/CSS/18
FINDS
DSC01947
104