GVA Humberts Leisure Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd Long Ashes

 on behalf of GVA Humberts Leisure
for
Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd
Long Ashes Holiday Park
Threshfield
North Yorkshire
archaeological evaluation
report 3027
December 2012
Contents 1. Summary 2. Project background 3. Landuse, topography and geology 4. Historical and archaeological background 5. The evaluation trenches 6. The finds 7. The archaeological resource 8. Impact assessment 9. Recommendation 10. Sources Appendix 1: Data table Appendix 2: Stratigraphic matrices 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 7 8 9 Figures Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Figure 4: Figure 5: Figure 6: Figure 7: Figure 8: Figure 9: Figure 10: Site location Trench locations Trench plans and sections Earth and stone bank F3 in trench 1, looking south‐west
North‐west facing section through bank F3 in trench 1, looking south‐east
Bank F5 in trench 2, looking north‐west
East facing section through bank F5 in trench 2, looking west
North‐east facing section through bank F14 in trench 3, looking south‐west
Bank F8 in trench 5, looking north‐west
North‐west facing section through bank F8 in trench 5, looking south‐east
© Archaeological Services Durham University 2012
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
1. Summary 1.1 The project 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 This report presents the results of an archaeological evaluation conducted in advance of a proposed development at Long Ashes Holiday Park, Threshfield, North Yorkshire. The works comprised archaeological trial trenching. The works were commissioned by Lakeland Leisure Estates Ltd and conducted by Archaeological Services Durham University. Results Archaeological deposits were recorded in four (1, 2, 3 and 5) of the evaluation trenches. These remains comprised earthen and stone banks and soil layers. The banks were probable former field boundary delineations of unconfirmed date. No other structural features or features pre‐dating the banks were identified. A small assemblage of post‐medieval pot sherds, clay pipe, CBM and an iron object was recovered from the topsoil in trenches 1 and 2. Recommendation A programme of archaeological monitoring and recording is recommended during groundworks associated with the development, in order to mitigate the impact of the development on the archaeological resource. Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
2. Project background Location (Figure 1) 2.1 The site is located at Long Ashes Holiday Park, Threshfield, North Yorkshire (NGR centre: SD 97896 64833). It covers an area of approximately 1.8ha. To the north and is the existing caravan park, to the west is a modern pond, and to the south and east are fields of unimproved pasture. 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Development proposal The proposed development is for extensions to the existing holiday park for camping, touring caravans and static units, together with roads, facilities, services and the enlargement of an existing lake, together with environmental improvements over a wider area (Archaeological Services 2012). Objective The objective of the scheme of works was to assess the nature, extent and potential significance of any archaeological resource within the proposed development area, so that an informed decision may be made regarding the nature and scope of any further scheme of archaeological works that may be required in relation to the development. Methods statement The works have been undertaken in accordance with a scheme agreed with Robert White of the National Park Authority and a written scheme of investigation (PC12.462). Dates Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th October and 1st November 2012. This report was prepared for 30th November 2012. Personnel Fieldwork was conducted by Sophie Ladler, David Webster and Catrin Jenkins (supervisor). This report was prepared by Catrin Jenkins, with illustrations by David Graham. Specialist reporting was conducted by Jennifer Jones. The Project Manager was Peter Carne. Archive/OASIS The site code is TLA12, for Threshfield Long Ashes 2012. The archive is currently held by Archaeological Services Durham University and will be transferred to Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in due course. Archaeological Services Durham University is registered with the Online AccesS to the Index of archaeological investigationS project (OASIS). The OASIS ID number for this project is archaeol3‐
138167. 3. Landuse, topography and geology 3.1 At the time of this assessment, the proposed development area comprised two fields of unimproved pasture, defined by dry‐stone walling and metal and wooden fencing. Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
3.2 3.3 The fields were located on a very gentle south‐east‐facing slope with a maximum elevation of 200m OD in the north and west and a minimum elevation of 190m OD in the south‐east. Malham Moor is to the north‐west where the ground rises to 450m OD and the valley of the River Wharfe is to the east. The underlying solid geology of the area comprises Great Scar Limestone overlain by Devensian glaciofluvial deposits. 4. Historical and archaeological background 4.1 The historical and archaeological background to the area is given in the desk‐based assessment (Archaeological Services 2012) and is summarised here. 4.2 Previous archaeological works Archaeological works conducted on the site in association with the current development proposals include a topographic survey and desk‐based assessment (Archaeological Services 2011a), a subsequent geophysical survey (Archaeological Services 2011b), and a revised desk‐based assessment (Archaeological Services 2012). Recent works conducted on the site for a former development proposal include a desk‐based assessment (Cardwell 2009), an earthwork and dry stone wall survey (EDAS 2010) and a geophysical survey (GSB 2010). Several additional schemes of archaeological works have been conducted in the vicinity of the development (Archaeological Services 2012). The prehistoric period (up to AD 70) 4.3 There are known prehistoric remains within the proposed development area. The Wharfe Valley is an area of intensive prehistoric settlement and finds have been recorded dating back as far as the Mesolithic period or earlier. A Bronze Age cairn, located to the north of the Holiday Park, was excavated in 1924. There are several recorded prehistoric settlements in the area, including at Little Wood to the south‐
east and a hillfort at Grass Wood to the north‐east (Yorkshire Dales HBSMR). 4.4 4.5 4.6 The Roman period (AD 70 to 5th century) There is no known evidence for Roman activity within the proposed development area. To the north at Chapel House Wood a settlement has been dated to this period (Yorkshire Dales HBSMR). A Roman route is purported to have extended along the Wharfe Valley that linked the settlements of the period (Margary 1967). Elements of the later prehistoric settlement pattern are likely to have continued into the Roman period. The medieval period (5th century to 1540) Threshfield village is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and the settlement at Skirethrorns to the south may be medieval in origin. There are several field boundaries and enclosures in the area which were recorded by the English Heritage National Mapping Programme and may be of medieval date. These include the earthworks recorded in Area 3. The post‐medieval period (1541 to 1899) The area continued to be agricultural in the early post‐medieval period and the establishment of the Long Ashes farmstead and the various lathe barns in the area probably date from this time. Increases in industrialisation were seen with quarrying Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
and lime production and the extensive quarry to the west of the proposed development area dates from this period as well as the numerous lime kilns in the area. 4.7 The modern period (1900 to present) The caravan park was constructed by the late 1960s and the surrounding area has since been cleared of trees and landscaped as part of the holiday park. 5. The evaluation trenches 5.1 Trench 1 (Figures 2‐5) 5.2 5.3 5.4 Trench 1 measured 10m by 1.5m and was oriented north‐east to south‐west. It was sited to examine an earthwork bank which was recorded during the topographic survey and also a positive geomagnetic anomaly recorded in the geophysical survey. The natural subsoil in trench 1 comprised brownish orange silty clay with moderate to frequent inclusions of sub‐angular limestone cobbles [2]. This was overlain at the north‐east end of the trench by a deposit of mid to dark brown silty clay [4: 0.6m wide, 0.13m thick] which was probably the bedding layer for a stone bank [F3: 0.6m wide, 0.35m thick] which lay above it. The stone bank was aligned north‐west to south‐east and comprised sub‐rounded and sub‐angular limestone cobbles [275mm by 132mm by 150mm to 78mm by 33mm by 15mm]. A 0.5m‐wide section was excavated through the bank. The bank was sealed by the brownish grey silty clay topsoil [1: 0.32m thick]. Late 18th‐ to 19th‐century pottery and an undated iron object, probably a fastening mechanism, were recovered from the topsoil. Trench 2 (Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7) Trench 2 measured 10m by 1.5m and was aligned north to south. It was sited to examine a linear earthwork and geomagnetic anomaly. The natural brown orange silty clay subsoil [7] contained frequent inclusions of sub‐
angular limestone cobbles. In the centre of the trench a deposit of orange brown clayey silt [11] overlay the natural subsoil. It contained moderate‐sized inclusions of sub‐rounded limestone cobbles and boulders. This formed part of the linear stone bank [F5: 2.45m wide, 0.3m thick] which was oriented approximately east to east and comprised limestone cobbles (average size ‐ 110mm by 75mm by 30mm) and boulders (average size – 450mm by 450mm by 350mm). A 0.5m‐wide section was excavated through the bank. On the west side of the bank and above it, was a deposit of probable ploughsoil [9: 0.18m thick] which comprised dark brown clayey silt. The ploughsoil was sealed by the topsoil [6: 0.2m thick] which comprised dark brown clayey silt with inclusions of occasional sub‐rounded stone. A total of nine sherds of pottery which were dated to the late 18th to 19th century, two clay pipe stems of post‐medieval date and two flakes of undated hand‐fired brick and tile were recovered from the topsoil. Trench 3 (Figures 2, 3 and 8) 5.5 Trench 3 measured 20m by 1.5m and was oriented north‐west to south‐east. It was sited to examine the southern side of a sub‐rectangular earthwork and the area to the north. Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
5.6 5.7 5.8 The natural brown orange silty clay subsoil [13], containing frequent inclusions of sub‐angular limestone cobble and degraded bedrock, was exposed across the north‐
west of the trench. No features were recorded cutting through this. At the south‐
east end of the trench was a deposit of light brown sandy silt with frequent inclusions of sub‐rounded limestone cobbles and boulders (190mm by 110mm by 70mm to 300mm by 90mm by 200mm in size). This deposit formed a bank [F14: 2.42m wide, 0.27m thick], which was overlain by the dark brown clayey silt topsoil [12: 0.42m thick]. A 0.5m‐wide section was excavated through the bank. No artefactual material was recovered from the trench. Trench 4 (Figure 2) Trench 4 was L‐shaped and measured 10m north‐east to south‐west, 10m north‐
west to south‐east, and was 1.5m wide. It was sited to examine a sub‐rectangular earthwork in the centre of the field. The geophysical survey indicated a sub‐
rectangular positive geomagnetic anomaly in the same location. The natural orange brown silty clay subsoil [16] contained occasional inclusions of sub‐angular limestone cobbles. It was overlain by the dark greyish brown silty clay topsoil [17: 0.23m thick]. The topsoil was thicker and contained moderate stone inclusions at the south‐east end of the trench. This may reflect a former bank damaged by ploughing. No archaeological features were exposed and no artefactual material was recovered from trench 4. 5.9 5.10 Trench 5 (Figures 2,3, 9 and 10) Trench 5 measured 10m by 1.5m and was oriented approximately north‐east to south‐west. It was sited to evaluate a linear north‐west to south‐east earthwork, which was also recorded as a positive magnetic anomaly in the geophysical survey. The natural reddish brown silty clay subsoil [18] was overlain at the north‐east end of the trench by a deposit of stone [F8] which was probably a field bank. This deposit comprised sub‐rounded limestone cobbles (average size – 190mm by 190mm by 90mm, 270mm by 70mm by 60mm, 90mm by 40mm by 30mm). The stones were overlain by a deposit of mid to dark brown silty clay with occasional inclusions of sub‐angular stones, which had accumulated to the south‐west of the stone bank. A 0.5m‐wide section was excavated through the bank. This layer was sealed by the dark grey brown silty clay topsoil [15: 0.3m thick]. No artefactual material was recovered from the trench. 6. The finds 6.1 Pottery assessment 6.2 Results Ten sherds (103g wt) of late 18th‐ and 19th‐century pottery came from two contexts. Context [1] had a base sherd of black glazed coarseware, dating to the late 18th/19th century. Context [6] had nine sherds, including a further fragment black glazed coarseware and a sherd of brown glazed fineware, dating to the late 18th/19th century, and sherds of 19th‐century glazed white ware, cane coloured ware and mottle glazed coarseware. Recommendation No further work is recommended. Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Clay pipe assessment Results Two small, plain clay pipe stem fragments came from context [6]. These are post‐
medieval. Recommendation No further work is recommended. Building materials assessment Results Context [6] produced two flakes of hard fired brick or tile (25g wt), with no original surfaces. These cannot be dated. Recommendation No further work is recommended. Iron objects assessment Results A single fragmentary iron object came from context [1]. This is a highly corroded ‘U’ shaped bar fragment 84mm long x 20mm wide max, with one broken end. The other intact end is flattened and has been bent into a loop. It is possibly part of a fastening mechanism, and is of unknown date. Recommendation No further work is recommended. 7. The archaeological resource 7.1 Archaeological deposits were recorded in four (1, 2, 3 and 5) of the evaluation trenches. These remains comprised earthen and stone banks and soil layers. The banks were probable field boundaries. No other structural remains or remains predating the banks were identified. 7.2 A small assemblage of post‐medieval pot sherds, clay pipe, CBM and an iron object was recovered from the topsoil in trenches 1 and 2. 8. Impact assessment 8.1 Groundworks associated with the development have the potential to remove or truncate a series of field banks present within the proposed development area. These groundworks are likely to comprise terracing, construction of hard standing and roads and paths, and services. Tree planting is also likely to impact on the resource. 9. Recommendation 9.1 A programme of archaeological monitoring and recording is recommended during groundworks associated with the development, in order to mitigate the impact of the development on the archaeological resource. Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
10. Sources Archaeological Services 2011a Long Ashes Holiday Park, Threshfield, North Yorkshire: archaeological desk‐based assessment and earthwork survey. Unpublished report 2754, Archaeological Services Durham University Archaeological Services 2011b Long Ashes Holiday Park, Threshfield, North Yorkshire: geophysical survey. Unpublished report 2758, Archaeological Services Durham University Archaeological Services 2012 Long Ashes Holiday Park, Threshfield, North Yorkshire: archaeological desk‐based assessment. Unpublished report 3026, Archaeological Services Durham University Cardwell, P, 2009 Long Ashes Caravan Park Extension, North Yorkshire, Archaeological Assessment EDAS, 2010 Proposed Extension to Caravan Park, Long Ashes, Threshfield, North Yorkshire; archaeological survey Ed Dennison Archaeological Services Ltd Report 2010/369R01 GSB, 2010 Long Ashes Caravan Park Extension Geophysical Survey Report 2010/03 Margary, I D, 1967 Roman Roads in Britain Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
Appendix 1: Data table Table 1: Context data The  symbols in the columns at the right indicate the presence of finds of the following types: P pottery, M metals, C ceramic building material, O other materials. No Trench Description P M C O 1 1 Topsoil   2 1 Natural subsoil F3 1 Stone bank 4 1 Deposit F5 2 Stone bank 
  6 2 Topsoil 7 2 Natural subsoil F8 5 Stone bank 9 2 Deposit 10 VOID 11 2 Deposit 12 3 Topsoil 13 3 Natural subsoil F14 3 Earth and stone bank 15 5 Topsoil 16 4 Natural subsoil 17 4 Topsoil 18 5 Natural subsoil 19 5 Deposit Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
Appendix 2: Stratigraphic matrices Trench 1 Trench 2 Trench 3 1 F3 topsoil
9
12
topsoil F14
bank 13
natural subsoil bank 4 2 F5
natural subsoil
natural subsoil Trench 5 15
17 bank
11
7
Trench 4 6
topsoil topsoil
topsoil 19
16 natural subsoil F8
bank
18
natural subsoil
Archaeological Services Durham University
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Long Ashes Holiday Park
Threshfield
North Yorkshire
on behalf of
GVA Humberts
Leisure
for
Lakeland Leisure
Estates Ltd
archaeological evaluation
report 3027
Figure 1: Site location
Reproduced from Explorer OL2 1:25 000 by
permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf
of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office. © Crown copyright 2009. All rights
reserved. Licence number AL100002176
66
65
64
63
97
proposed development
boundary
98
proposed holiday park
extension boundary
99
evaluation trench
location
0
750m
scale 1:15 000 for A4 plot
Reproduction in whole or in part is
prohibited without the prior permission
of GVA Humberts Leisure
H
1
Area 1
G
2
I
on behalf of
GVA Humberts Leisure
E
F
for
Lakeland Leisure
Estates Ltd
3
646
Area 2
Long Ashes Holiday Park
Threshfield
North Yorkshire
D
4
archaeological evaluation
report 3027
Figure 2: Trench locations
C
0
50m
scale 1:1000 for A3 plot
I
C
5
645
earthwork number
hachures denoting direction
of slope
B
modern disturbance
trench
A
981
982
983
Long Ashes Holiday Park
Threshfield
North Yorkshire
extent of
excavation
on behalf of
GVA Humberts Leisure
for
1
Lakeland Leisure
Estates Ltd
section
0
2m
archaeological evaluation
report 3027
scale 1:50 for A3 plot
Figure 3: Trench plans and sections
Section 1
NE
SW
F3
198.57m OD
1
4
2
2
Trench 1, plan
S1
F3
4
2
Section 2
S
N
6
9
F5
F5
11
197.65m OD
7
Trench 2, plan
S2
F5
6
11
6
Section 3
NW
195.75m OD
SE
12
F14
Trench 3, plan
S3
13
13
F14
Section 4
NE
SW
15
F8
Trench 5, plan
19
191.99m OD
18
S4
F8
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Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
Figure 4: Earth and stone bank F3 in trench 1, looking south‐west Figure 5: North‐west facing section through bank F3, looking south‐
east Figure 6: Bank F5 in trench 2, looking north‐
west Archaeological Services Durham University
Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
Figure 7: East‐facing section through bank F5 in trench 2, looking west Figure 8: North‐east‐
facing section through bank F14 in trench 3, looking south‐west Figure 9: Bank F8 in trench 5, looking north‐
west Archaeological Services Durham University
Long Ashes· Threshfield· North Yorkshire· evaluation· report 3027· December 2012
Archaeological Services Durham University
Figure 10: North‐west facing section through bank F8 in trench 5, looking south‐east