Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath Port Talbot: Archaeological Watching Brief

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Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert),

Neath Port TalbotArchaeological Watching Brief

August 2009

A report for Neath Port Talbot County

Borough Councilby Fay Bowen BA

GGAT report no. 2009/058

Project no.P1359Site no. 650

National Grid Ref: SS 74644 97864

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust LtdHeathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL

I AREGI

STERED

ORGANISAT

I ON


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Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Front cover: View to the west of Test Pit 1 GGAT

Contents Page

Summary ........................................................................................................................2

Acknowledgements.........................................................................................................2

Copyright notice.............................................................................................................2

1. Introduction..........................................................................................................3

1.1 Project background ........................................................................................ 31.2 Location, topography and geology ................................................................ 3

1.3 General historical and archaeological background........................................3

1.4 Site specific archaeological investigation......................................................4

2. Methodology .........................................................................................................7

3. Results ...................................................................................................................8

3.1 Test Pit 1 ........................................................................................................8

3.2 Test Pit 2A .....................................................................................................8

3.3 Test Pit 2B......................................................................................................8

3.4 Test Pit 3 ........................................................................................................8

3.5 Test Pit 4 ........................................................................................................8

4. Finds Report .......................................................................................................10

5. Conclusions.........................................................................................................11Bibliography ...............................................................................................................12

Appendix I ..................................................................................................................13

Inventory of contexts ...............................................................................................13

Appendix II.................................................................................................................14

Inventory of plates ...................................................................................................14

Figures

Figure 1: General location plan.................................................................................... 6

Figure 2: Plan showing location of Test Pits 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 (red)....................... 9

Plates

Plate 1: View to the west of Test Pit 1 ........................................................................ 14

Plate 2: View to the north of Test Pit 1 ...................................................................... 14

Plate 3: View to the north of Test Pit 2A ................................................................... 15

Plate 4: View to the north of Test Pit 2B ................................................................... 15

Plate 5: View to the east of Test Pit 2B, showing 1006 to 1009 ................................ 15


Plate 7: View to the north of Test Pit 3, showing 1010 to 1012................................ 16


Plate 9: View to the south of Test Pit 4, showing 1013 and 1014............................. 17


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Summary

GGAT Projects were commissioned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to

undertake a watching brief during the excavation of five geotechnical test pits, in

order to inform the determination of a forthcoming planning application for the

construction of a new teaching block in Cwrt Herbert playing field at Dwr-y-Felin

School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot. No archaeologically significant features or

structures were encountered during the course of the watching brief, and the only

deposits uncovered were post-medieval or modern in date. Similarly the majority of

the recovered cultural material was of a post-medieval or modern date, however a

sherd of pottery tentatively dated to the Roman period was found. Given that the SAM

area is less than 60m to the southeast and a low, yet significant level of Roman

activity was encountered during an archaeological evaluation to the immediate north

it is likely that groundwork for the construction of the proposed teaching block may

encounter similar activity.

Acknowledgements

The project was managed by Richard Lewis BA MIfA and the fieldwork wasundertaken by Andrew Sherman BA and Fay Bowen BA of GGAT Projects. The

finds were processed and analysed by Steve Sell BA of GGAT Projects. The report

was compiled by Fay Bowen BA. The illustrations were prepared by Paul Jones

(Senior Illustrator).

Archaeological background is based on Primary Record Number (PRN) information

supplied by the Historic Environment Record (HER) held at GGAT, Swansea.

Copyright notice

The copyright of this report is held by Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd;

GGAT has granted an exclusive licence to Neath Port Talbot County BoroughCouncil and their agents to use and reproduce the material it contains. Ordnance

Survey maps are reproduced under licence (AL 10005976), annotations are GGAT

copyright.


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1. In t roduct ion

1.1 Project background

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is intending to construct a new teaching

block in Cwrt Herbert playing field at Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot.

The proposed development, centred at NGR SS 74644 97864 lies a short distance to

the northwest of the Roman fort ofNidum (Gm215), which is protected as a SAM

(Scheduled Ancient Monument).

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council intend to submit a planning application in

June 2010 for the construction of a new teaching block in Cwrt Herbert playing field

at Dwr-y-Felin School. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd (GGAT

Projects) were commissioned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to

undertake an archaeological watching brief during the excavation of five geotechnical

test pits, in order to establish the nature and importance of any archaeological features

within the proposed development area, thus informing the determination of a

forthcoming planning application. The work took place on the 4th of August 2009.

1.2 Location, topography and geologyThe proposed development is centred at NGR SS 74644 97864, on land forming part

of Cwrt Herbert playing fields attached to Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port

Talbot. It lies between Neath Abbey Road to the south and Dwr-y-Felin Road to the

east, on the floodplain of the Afon Nedd, which flows approximately 300m to the

southeast. The surface geology consists of fluvial sands and gravels.

1.3 General historical and archaeological background

The proposed development lies some 54m to the northwest of the Roman fort of

Nidum (Gm215). The Roman fort was constructed initially in timber c.75 AD and

replacedc.80 AD by another timber fort, which was itself replaced in stone c.117 AD.

This fort was abandonedc.125 AD, reoccupiedc.140 AD and finally abandonedc.170

AD. Whilst little is now visible of the auxiliary fort the foundations of the southeast

gateway and guard chamber are preserved in Roman Way, their antiquity contrasting

with the modern nature of the surrounding housing estate. The double roadway

through the southeast gate was flanked by towers and fronted by a ditch, implying the

former existence of a bridge. Excavations in the playing fields, across the road from

the southeast gate, in which the line of the northwest defences, detected as a slight

rise, have revealed the north angle tower and evidence for timber structures including

barracks and the headquarters building (Newman 2004).

Neath Abbey (Gm006) is located approximately 600m to the southwest of the

development area. Its lands were granted in 1129 by Richard de Granville, a

lieutenant of the Norman lord of Glamorgan, to the abbey of Savigny in Normandy.

The grant consisted of a tract of nearly 8,000 acres (3,240 hectares) of virgin Welshlands by the nova villa of Neath. In 1147, when the Savigniac order merged with

that of Citeaux, Neath Abbey came under Cistercian rule. Cistercian doctrine dictated

that monastic communities must not profit from rents but only from direct

exploitation of their estate. Therefore, each Cistercian community included a large

body of lay brothers, who farmed both the lands round the abbey and the granges

(Newman 2004).


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The town and borough of Neath originated in the early 12th century when the Afon

Nedd formed the western boundary of Norman penetration into South Wales. Both the

Castle and borough town were established on the eastern bank of the river, with the

abbey being founded shortly afterwards, on the far side of the river 2km to the west.

In the later Middle Ages the town and abbey were in competition for river trade, and

in 1491 the Town Hall was reported to be in ruins. The key to Neaths subsequent

development as an industrial centre was the availability of substantial coal depositsclose to the coast. Sir Humphrey Mackworth of the Gnoll, whose mansion dominated

the little town from its hilltop, pioneered both copper and lead working from the

1690's, with the celebrated Neath Abbey Ironworks (Gm389) began operation soon

after (Newman 2004).

Neath Abbey Ironworks (Gm389) is located approximately 840m to the west,

alongside the waterpower resources of the River Clydach, a short distance from its

confluence with the navigable River Neath. The Ironworks benefited from Cornish

expertise in specialised casting and engineering, which was brought to the site by two

Quaker families, the Foxes of Falmouth, who took over in 1792, and Joseph Tregelles

Price (who had worked with James Watt at the great Canon Ironworks at Falkirk)

from 1817. Under Joseph Tregelles Price (1786-1854) the works gained a reputationfor high-quality engineering products. The engine factory produced locomotives,

stationary engines, cast iron roofs and floors, steamships and gasworks. After Prices

death stagnation set in, and the works finally closed in 1885. The Vale of Neath

Canal, built in 1795, and subsequent railways, opened up the hinterland of Neath.

However, the town remained of very modest size, clustered around St Thomass

church. In 1801, there were 2,500 inhabitants, and half a century later the population

had little more than doubled (Lewis 2004).

1.4 Site specific archaeological investigation

Recent archaeological investigations close to the proposed development have included

evaluation and geophysical survey. Prior to the construction of the athletics track a

field evaluation was undertaken in 1993. It revealed part of a masonry building datingto the late 1st or early 2nd century in the southeastern corner of the proposed

development, and parts of at least two linear features further to the northwest. The

building appears to have been of substantial size and high status, and was constructed

in at least two phases. It has been suggested that the structure may have been a mansio

or official residence (Maynard 1993).

A geophysical survey conducted in 2004 failed to locate this building, but did identify

what was interpreted as the defences for the Phase 1 fort, on a slightly different

alignment from the later fort. The survey also located a linear feature which has been

interpreted as a road associated with the northwestern gate of the later fort.

Subsequent excavation to investigate the results of the survey appeared to confirm the

presence of a defensive system slightly to the northwest of the later fort, but thesecond trench failed to substantiate the existence of the road associated with the

northwest gate (Evans 2005).

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd (GGAT Projects) carried out an

evaluation in June 2005 in order to establish the nature and importance of any

archaeological features prior to the construction of a teaching and canteen block.

Roman deposits were discovered and whilst the level of Roman activity was low, it

was not insignificant (Sell 2005). The results of a subsequent watching-brief also


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demonstrated limited Roman activity across the same area in the form of a small,

irregular-sided pit tentatively dated to the Roman period (mid 1st and mid 2nd

centuries) by its pottery content. A shallow spread of charcoal was also dated to the

end of the Roman period or later (Sherman 2006).

The development area is close to the assumed position of the road leading out of the

northwest gate of the fort, although this road was not located during the evaluation of

2004 (Evans 2005), designed to complement the results of the earlier resistivity

survey. Whereas the nature and position of the vicus on the northeastern side of the

fort is now well established (Lawler and Marvell 1994, Sell 1997, Howell 2001, Sell

2003) the nature of activity to the northwest of the fort is less well understood.


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2. Methodology

The geotechnical test pitting monitored by the archaeological watching brief (see

Figure 2) consisted of five machine excavated test pits (TP1, TP2A, TP2B, TP3 and

TP4). A full written, drawn and photographic record was made of all archaeological

contexts, in accordance with the GGATManual of Excavation Recording Techniques.

Contexts were recorded using a single continuous numbering system, and aresummarised in Appendix I. All significant contexts were photographed using a

Fujifilm Finepix S1000 (10mp).

An archive of records relating to the preparation of the reports has been prepared to

the specifications in Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage,

1991) Appendix 6 and UKICs Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in

creation, compilation, transfer and curation 2007.

After an appropriate period has elapsed, copies of the report and archive index will be

deposited with the regional Historic Environment Record (HER). A copy of the

report and archive index will also be deposited with the National Monuments Record,

RCAHMW, Aberystwyth.


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3. Results

3.1 Test Pit 1

Test Pit 1 measured 1.6m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.5m (see Figure 2

and Plates 1-2). The basal deposit encountered was grey-orange silty clay with gravels(1003) with a minimum depth of 1.15m. This underlay an orange-brown silty clay

loam (1002) containing frequent sub-rounded and sub-angular stones (varying from

0.06m to 0.21m in diameter), and with a depth of 1m. It contained modern brick

fragments, late post-medieval pottery and a sherd of possible Roman pottery. This

was overlain by dark brown silty-clay loam topsoil (1001), which contained frequent

rooting and with a depth of 0.35m.

3.2 Test Pit 2A

Test Pit 2A measured 0.86m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 0.41m (see

Figure 2 and Plate 3). The basal deposit was a grey-black fine greasy silt (1005), with

a minimum depth of 0.12m. This was overlain by grey-brown silty-clay loam topsoil

(1004), with a depth of 0.29m.

3.3 Test Pit 2B

Test Pit 2B measured 0.88m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 0.41m (see

Figure 2 and Plates 4-5). The basal deposit was a mid-brown silty clay (1009), with a

minimum depth of 0.07m and containing frequent charcoal, coal and orange clay

flecks. This underlay a grey-black fine greasy silt (1008), with a depth of 0.08m.

Deposit 1008 was overlain by a layer of frequent orange brick fragments in a matrix

of dark brown silty clay (1007), and with a depth of 0.03m. This was overlain by a

light grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil (1006), with a depth of 0.23m and containing

sub-rounded stones (varying from 0.02m to 0.08m in diameter).

3.4 Test Pit 3

Test Pit 3 measured 1.6m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.20m (see Figure

2 and Plates 6-7). The basal deposit encountered was an orange-brown clay (1012),

with a minimum depth of 1m and which contained stones and natural gravel. This

underlay a light orange-brown silty clay (1011), with a depth of 0.73m and which

contained occasional sub-rounded stones (maximum diameter of 0.11m). Deposit

1011 was overlain by a light brown silty clay loam topsoil (1012), with a depth of

0.47m.

3.5 Test Pit 4

Test Pit 4 measured 1.60m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.55m (see

Figure 2 and Plates 8-9). The basal deposit was a grey-orange gravel ( 1015), with adepth of 0.76m and which contained sub-rounded stones. This underlay an orange-

brown silty clay (1014), with a depth of 1.24m and which contained stones (maximum

diameter of 0.11m) and isolated flecks of manganese. The uppermost layer was a dark

grey-brown silty clay topsoil loam (1013), with a depth of 0.55m.


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4. Finds Report

Material from two contexts (1002 and1007) was submitted for examination, with the

following results.

The entire assemblage was of relatively modern (19th century or later) date with thepossible exception of a highly abraded sherd, in a soft sandy pale red fabric, from

1002, which may be of Roman date. Although surfaces have almost entirely gone,

there is a small cluster of angular white quartz grit on what is assumed to be the

internal surface, suggesting a fragment ofmortarium, almost certainly a South Wales

type.

Elsewhere modern brick, bottle and window glass, the rim of a small bowl in cream-

coloured earthenware (perhaps early 19th century) and a modern button, probably

from a shirt, were present in the small assemblage.


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5. Conclus ions

Test Pit 1 revealed a sherd of possible Roman date in context 1002, however post-

medieval and modern cultural material was also recovered from his context indicating

that the sherd is likely to be residual in nature.

It is believed that deposits 1002and1007 possibly represent levelling layers. Whereas

contexts 1005 and 1008 are thought to be a possible flooding episode of post-

medieval date.

Deposit 1009 may be a cultivation layer, however no conclusive evidence was

discovered to definitively date this context. A similar deposit was encountered during

a watching brief in 2006 and was thought to pre-date the post-medieval period,

although limited evidence for such a deposit was recorded during the evaluation or

full excavation of the site (Sherman 2006).

No other archaeologically significant features, deposits or structures were encountered

during the course of the observed groundworks.


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Bib l i og raphy

Evans E M, 2005,Roman roads and vici in Southeast Wales: Year 3 report, GGAT

Report No: 2005/003

Higgins J, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, excavation project design,GGAT Report No: 2006/011

Howell J K, 2001,Neath Port Talbot crche, archaeological field evaluation, GGAT

Report No: 2001/035

Lawler M and Marvell A G, 1994,Archaeological field evaluation: Neath College,

GGAT Report No: 94/077

Lewis R, 2004,Landscapes Working for Neath and Port Talbot: History and

Archaeology Aspect, GGAT Report No: 2004/008

Maynard D J, 1993,Archaeological field evaluation: Cwrt Herbert playing fields,

Neath West Glamorgan, GGAT Report No: 93/036

Newman J, 2004, The Buildings Of Wales: Glamorgan, Yale University Press

Sell S H, 1997,Neath College archaeological survey, GGAT Report No: 97/018

Sell S H, 2003,Neath Port Talbot College Electronic Learning Centre,

archaeological watching-brief, final report, GGAT Report No: 2003/073

Sell S H, 2005,Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, archaeological field

evaluation, GGAT Report No: 2005/057

Sherman A, 2006, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath,Neath Port Talbot: archaeological

watching-brief, GGAT Report No: 2006/100

Tuck M, forthcoming,Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, archaeological

excavation.


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Append ix I

Inventory of contexts

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period

1001 D 0m-0.35m Dark brown silty clay loam topsoil with

frequent rooting

Modern

1002 D 0.35m-1.35m Orange-brown silty clay loam withfrequent sub-rounded and sub-angular

stones (varying in size from 0.06m and0.21m in diameter); possible levelling

layer

Post-medieval

1003 D 1.35m-2.50 n.b. Grey-orange silty clay with gravels -


1004 D 0m-0.29m Grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil Modern

1005 D 0.29m-0.41m

n.b.

Grey-black fine greasy silt; possible

flooding episode

Post-medieval

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period1006 D 0m-0.23m Light grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil

with occasional sub-rounded stones

varying from 0.02m to 0.08m

Modern

1007 D 0.23m-0.26m Frequent orange brick fragments in amatrix of dark brown silty clay

containing isolated fragments of burnt

stone; possible levelling/ formation layer

Modern

1008 D 0.26m-0.34m Grey-black fine greasy silt; possibleflooding episode

Post-medieval

1009 D 0.34m-0.41m

n.b

Mid-brown silty clay containing frequent

charcoal, coal and orange clay flecks;

possible cultivation layer

Post-medieval?


1010 D 0m-0.47m Light brown silty-clay loam topsoil Modern

1011 D 0.47m-1.20m Light orange-brown silty-clay containing

occasional sub-rounded stones varyingfrom 0.07m to 0.11m

Post-medieval

1012 D 1.20m-2.20m

n.b.

Orange-brown clay containing stone and

natural gravel

-


1013 D 0m-0.55m Dark grey-brown silty clay topsoil loam Modern

1014 D 0.55m-1.79m Orange-brown silty clay containingstones (maximum diameter of 0.11m)

and isolated flecks of manganese

Post-medieval

1015 D 1.79m-2.55mn.b.

Grey-orange gravel containing sub-rounded stones

-

Key:

D: Deposit

n.b.: not bottomed


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Append ix II

Inventory of plates

Plate 1: View to the west of Test Pit 1

Plate 2: View to the north of Test Pit 1


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Plate 3: View to the north of Test Pit 2A

Plate 4: View to the north of Test Pit 2B

Plate 5: View to the east of Test Pit 2B, showing 1006 to 1009


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Plate 7: View to the north of Test Pit 3, showing 1010 to 1012



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Plate 9: View to the south ofTest Pit 4, showing 1013 and1014

Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath Port Talbot: Archaeological Watching Brief

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