Coalville Solar Farm
Normanton le Heath
Leicestershire
Archaeological Evaluation
for
Savills
on behalf of
Belectric Solar Ltd
CA Project: 660385
CA Report: 15031
January 2015
Coalville Solar Farm
Normanton le Heath
Leicestershire
Archaeological Evaluation
CA Project: 660385
CA Report: 15031
prepared by
date
approved by
Peter James, Project Officer
and
Derek Evans, Project Manager
27 January 2015
Simon Carlyle, Principal Fieldwork Manager
signed
date
28 January 2014
issue
01
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
Cirencester
Building 11
Kemble Enterprise Park
Kemble, Cirencester
Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ
t. 01285 771022
f. 01285 771033
Milton Keynes
41 Burners Lane South
Kiln Farm
Milton Keynes
MK11 3HA
t. 01908 564660
e. enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Andover
Stanley House
Walworth Road
Andover, Hampshire
SP10 5LH
t. 01264 347630
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 3
The site .............................................................................................................. 3
Archaeological background ................................................................................ 4
Archaeological objectives ................................................................................... 5
Methodology....................................................................................................... 5
2.
RESULTS .......................................................................................................... 6
The finds ............................................................................................................ 9
3.
DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................... 9
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM.......................................................................................... 10
5.
REFERENCES................................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................... 12
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ............................................................................................. 14
APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM .......................................................................... 16
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1
Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2
Trench location plan showing geophysical survey results (1:2,500)
Fig. 3
Trench location plan showing archaeological features and geophysical survey
results (1:1,500)
Fig. 4
Fig. 3
Trench location plan showing archaeological features and geophysical
survey results (1:500)
Fig. 5
Trench 1: plan, section and photograph (1:200 & 1:20)
Fig. 6
Trench 14: plan and sections (1:200 & 1:20)
Fig. 7
Trench 14: photographs
Fig. 8
Trench 15: plan, section and photograph (1:200 & 1:20)
Fig. 9
Trenches 17 and 19: plans and sections (1:200 & 1:20)
1
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
SUMMARY
Project Name:
Coalville Solar Farm
Location:
Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire
NGR:
SK 3871 1350
Type:
Evaluation
Date:
3–8 December 2014
Location of Archive:
To be deposited with Leicestershire Museums Service
Site Code:
CSF 14
In December 2014, Cotswold Archaeology undertook an archaeological evaluation at the
proposed location of Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire. Twenty
trenches were excavated.
The remains of a Roman farmstead have previously been excavated in the north-eastern
corner of the site. A previous geophysical survey of the site identified a number of anomalies
suggestive of areas of intensive burning.
The current evaluation recorded two Roman ditches and a posthole at the site, as well as a
small number of shallow, undated ditches and an undated pit containing evidence for in situ
burning. Only one of the ditches and the burnt pit had been detected by the geophysical
survey. Further geophysical anomalies suggestive of burning in the south-western corner of
the site were not found to relate to similar burnt pit features.
The evaluation established the limits of the Roman farmstead in the north-eastern corner of
the site, although the Roman ditches and posthole recorded by the evaluation probably
represent associated outlying agricultural activity.
A clay and charcoal-lined pit had clearly been the location of intensive in situ burning, but the
purpose of this burning is unclear. The pit was entirely devoid of artefactual material and did
not match a Roman kiln previously recorded in the north-eastern corner of the site.
The evaluation also recorded extensive ridge and furrow remains throughout the site,
matching evidence from historic aerial photographs and confirming that the site formed part
of the medieval open field system associated with Normanton le Heath Parish.
2
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
In December 2014, Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological
evaluation at the proposed site of Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton le Heath,
Leicestershire (centred on NGR: SK 3871 1350; Fig. 1). This work was
commissioned by Savills, acting on behalf of Belectric Solar Ltd.
1.2
The results of the evaluation will inform a planning application for the development
of a solar park at the site. The scope of the evaluation was defined in discussions
between Savills and Richard Clark (Principal Planning Archaeologist, Leicestershire
County Council), the archaeological advisor to North West Leicestershire District
Council (NWLDC; the local planning authority).
1.3
The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a written scheme of investigation
(WSI) produced by CA (2014a) and approved by Richard Clark. The fieldwork also
followed the Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation (IfA 2009),
the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the
Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project
Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Richard Clark,
including a site visit on 8 December.
The site
1.4
The proposed development site is located c. 1km to the north-east of Normanton le
Heath and encloses an area of approximately 29.5ha. At the time of the evaluation,
the site comprised five arable fields. The site is bounded to the north-east by a small
area of woodland and on all other sides by agricultural land. The site occupies an
east-facing slope and lies at approximately 145m AOD in the west, sloping
downwards to c. 131m AOD in the east.
1.5
The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Tarporley Siltstone
Formation, siltstone, mudstone and sandstone of the Triassic Period. No overlying
superficial deposits are recorded (BGS 2014).
3
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Archaeological background
1.6
The proposed development site has been the previous subject of a desk-based
heritage assessment (CA 2014b) and a geophysical survey (PCG 2014). The
following section is summarised from these sources.
1.7
The remains of a Roman farmstead, comprising a series of enclosures, trackways,
postholes and a pottery kiln, have been excavated in the north-eastern corner of the
site (LAU 1991) and a fieldwalking survey of the north-central area of the site
recovered quantities of Roman pottery (ULAS 1996). There is, however, no
cropmark or LiDAR evidence for significant Roman activity within the main body of
the site.
1.8
Early medieval pottery recovered by the fieldwalking survey might be an indicator of
a nearby settlement dating to this period; however, there is no evidence for such a
settlement within the site boundary.
1.9
Ridge and furrow earthworks are visible across the site on historic aerial
photographs, although the earthworks have been ploughed out since these
photographs were taken. The former ridge and furrow indicates that the site formed
part of the medieval open field system associated with Normanton le Heath Parish.
1.10
Historic mapping and aerial photography records a farm complex labelled Bulwell
Barn within the western area of the site, as well as more minor farm buildings
elsewhere within the site. A large mound was identified in the location of Bulwell
Barn during the walkover survey for the desk-based heritage assessment.
Geophysical survey
1.11
The geophysical survey identified a number of discrete zones of magnetic variation
indicative of areas of intensive sustained burning, similar to those induced by kilns.
Some of these potential areas of burning occur in groups, with one such group along
the south-eastern site boundary forming a linear alignment. It was noted that further
archaeological remains at the site may not have been detected as they may have
been too deeply buried beneath alluvium and/or exhibited only minimal magnetic
contrast with soils and geology.
4
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Archaeological objectives
1.12
The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the
archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character,
extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality. The information gathered will
enable NWLDC to identify and assess the particular significance of the site’s
heritage resource, consider the impact of the development upon that significance,
and develop appropriate mitigation strategies to avoid or minimise conflict between
heritage resource conservation and any aspect of the solar farm development, in
line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).
Methodology
1.13
The fieldwork comprised the excavation of twenty trenches (Fig. 2). Some of the
trenches were excavated in segments in order to maintain established agricultural
tramways. All trenches were 1.8m in width. T1–T9 were located to define the limits
of the Roman farmstead recorded previously in the north-eastern corner of the site.
T14, T18 and T19 were located to test geophysical anomalies indicative of areas of
burning.
1.14
Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS
and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4: Survey Manual (2012). All
trenches were excavated by a mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless
grading
bucket.
All
machine excavation
was
undertaken under
constant
archaeological supervision to the top of the natural substrate, which was the level at
which archaeological features were first exposed. Where archaeological deposits
were encountered, they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical
Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).
1.15
Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with
CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other
Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003). All recovered artefacts were processed
in accordance with CA Technical Manual 3: Treatment of Finds Immediately after
Excavation (1995).
1.16
The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their
offices in Milton Keynes. CA will make arrangements with Leicestershire Museums
5
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Service for the deposition of the site archive and, subject to agreement with the legal
landowner, the artefact collection. A summary of information from this project, as set
out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of
archaeological projects in Britain.
2.
RESULTS
2.1
This section provides an overview of the evaluation results. Detailed summaries of
the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendices A and B,
respectively. Figures 3 and 4 show the evaluation trenches and the archaeological
features overlain on the geophysical survey results.
General stratigraphy
2.2
The natural substrate generally comprised red-brown sandy clay and was exposed
at a depth of 0.28m–0.53m below the present ground level. In the majority of the
trenches, the natural substrate was overlain directly by the topsoil, which measured
0.21m–0.32m in thickness. In T7–T9 and T14–T15, a sandy clay subsoil layer
measuring 0.12m–0.2m in thickness was present between the natural substrate and
the topsoil. The relatively shallow nature of the overburden meant that the
underlying archaeological features (which were exposed at the level of the natural
substrate) had undergone a degree of horizontal truncation through postmedieval/modern agricultural practices.
Blank trenches
2.3
Archaeological features were recorded in T1, T14, T15, T17 and T19. With the
exception of furrows (discussed below), the remainder of the trenches were blank.
The following blank trenches were targeted on geophysical anomalies interpreted as
being potentially archaeological in nature by the geophysical survey report (PCG
2014):
•
T18: sampled an anomaly indicative of an area of sustained burning at its
western end; and
•
T20: sampled an anomaly indicative of an area of sustained burning at its
southern end.
6
© Cotswold Archaeology
2.4
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
The natural substrate within T18 was found to be disturbed by a substantial cut
(1802; not illustrated on Fig. 4) backfilled with modern brick fragments in a silty
matrix. This material lay just within the entranceway to the southern field, and
probably represents an attempt to firm up the ground at this point. It is likely that the
geophysical anomalies sampled by T18 were actually caused by this importation of
ferrous-rich brick rubble.
2.5
T20 may have been located slightly too far to the north-east to sample the
geophysical anomaly in this area of the site (see Fig. 4). Additionally, a furrow
present in the southern end of the trench may have masked any outlying contexts
associated with this anomaly.
Furrows
2.6
The majority of the trenches contained the ploughed-out remnants of furrow bases
(Figs. 3 and 4). These had not been noted by the geophysical survey. The furrows
were generally aligned east-south-east/west-north-west, although there was some
variation in the northernmost field.
Trench 1 (Fig. 5)
2.7
East/west-aligned ditch 102 measured 0.8m in width and 0.11m in depth. It
contained a single clayey sand fill which yielded no artefactual material. This shallow
ditch was on the line of a linear geophysical anomaly interpreted as a probable land
drain in the geophysical survey report.
Trench 14 (Figs. 6 and 7)
2.8
Ditch 1410 ran through the western end of T14. The western edge of this ditch was
aligned north-east/south-west, while the eastern edge was aligned north/south,
perhaps indicating that 1410 was actually two intercutting ditches on different
alignments, rather than a single feature. In total, 1410 measured 3.85m in width. It
was excavated to a depth of 0.46m without its base being reached. It contained a
sequence of clayey fills, the uppermost of which (1413) yielded pottery dating to the
2nd century AD or later.
7
© Cotswold Archaeology
2.9
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Possible posthole 1414 lay to the immediate east of ditch 1410. This feature
measured 0.58m in diameter and 0.43m in depth. It featured three clayey fills, the
uppermost of which (1417) contained Roman pottery.
2.10
East-north-east/west-south-west-aligned ditch 1403 was slightly curved in plan. It
was 1.7m wide and 0.58m deep, with a flat-bottomed step in its base. Ditch 1403
featured a sequence of clayey fills, the uppermost of which (1407) contained pottery
dating to the 3rd–4th centuries AD.
2.11
Ditch 1403 was truncated at its western end by substantial circular pit 1424, which
measured 3.6m in diameter and 0.58m in depth. The sides of this pit (but not its
base) had been lined with a charcoal-rich deposit (1423), measuring 0.15m in
thickness. The eastern edge of the pit also featured an internal lining of baked clay
(1422), measuring 0.1m in thickness. This clay lining was not present in the western
edge of the pit and it is possible that the lining had partially collapsed into the pit
post-use, as fragments of baked clay were present in the pit fills.
2.12
The base of the pit was not fully exposed, but appeared to be fairly flat. The natural
substrate underneath the pit was scorched and baked hard, indicating in situ
burning.
2.13
The pit contained three fills, the lower two of which (1421 and 1420) contained
frequent inclusions of charcoal and burnt clay. No dating evidence was retrieved
from any of the pit fills.
2.14
The ditches and the posthole within T14 had not been detected by the geophysical
survey. Pit 1424 corresponded to a geophysical anomaly indicative of an area of
sustained burning.
Trench 15 (Fig. 8)
2.15
North-west/south-east-aligned ditch 1503 measured 1.13m in width and 0.42m in
depth. It contained a single sandy clay fill which yielded no artefactual material. This
ditch had not been detected by the geophysical survey.
8
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Trench 17 (Fig. 9)
2.16
East-south-east/west-north-west-aligned ditch 1702 measured 0.55m in width and
0.18m in depth. It contained a single sandy clayey fill which yielded no artefactual
material. This ditch had not been detected by the geophysical survey.
Trench 19 (Fig. 9)
2.17
North-west/south-east-aligned ditch 1902 measured 0.64m in width and 0.18m in
depth. It contained a single sandy clay fill which yielded no artefactual material. This
ditch had not been detected by the geophysical survey.
The finds
2.18
This section presents a summary of the finds evidence. A full discussion of the
artefacts recovered during the evaluation is given in Appendix B.
2.19
Artefacts were recovered from T14 only, and consisted entirely of Roman pottery.
Pottery from ditch 1410 dated to the 2nd century AD or later. Pottery from ditch 1403
was suggestive of dating in the 3rd–4th centuries AD. The pottery from posthole
1414 was only broadly dateable to the Roman period.
3.
DISCUSSION
3.1
The evaluation recorded two Roman ditches and a posthole in the north-central area
of the site, as well as a small number of shallow, undated ditches and an undated pit
containing evidence for in situ burning. The only archaeological features which had
been detected by the previous geophysical survey were ditch 102 (T1) and burnt pit
1424 (T14). Further geophysical anomalies suggestive of burning in the southwestern corner of the site (T18 and T20) were not found to relate to similar burnt pit
features; the anomaly in T18 was most likely the result of modern disturbance, while
the anomaly adjacent to T20 may have been just outside the limits of the trench.
3.2
T1–T9 established that the Roman farmstead recorded previously in the northeastern corner of the site (see Archaeological background, above) did not extend as
far southwards as the locations of these trenches. However, the Roman ditches and
9
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
posthole recorded in T14 probably represent limited outlying agricultural activity
associated with the farmstead. It is also possible that some of the shallower,
undated ditches recorded at the site are Roman in date, although there was no
evidence for this.
3.3
Clay and charcoal-lined pit 1424 had clearly been the location of intensive in situ
burning. However, the purpose of this burning is unclear. Pit 1424 does not appear
to have been a pottery kiln; the kiln excavated during the previous archaeological
works in the north-eastern corner of the site (feature F2 in LAU 1991) contained a
large quantity of Roman pottery, whereas pit 1424 was entirely devoid of artefactual
material. Furthermore, kiln F2 and pit 1424 displayed significant differences in
morphology: the kiln comprised an oval stokepit with adjoining flue/oven and was
sandstone-lined. The date of pit 1424 is also uncertain; it was undated artefactually,
although it did truncate the infill of 3rd–4th century ditch 1403, indicating that it was
late Roman or later in origin.
3.4
The evaluation also recorded the remains of extensive ridge and furrow throughout
the site, matching evidence from historic aerial photographs and confirming that the
site formed part of the medieval open field system associated with Normanton le
Heath Parish.
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Peter James, assisted by Edwin Pearson, Daniel
Wojcik and Kostas Papagiannakis. This report was written by Peter James and
Derek Evans. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been
compiled by Emily Evans. The project was managed for CA by Derek Evans.
5.
BGS
REFERENCES
(British
Viewer
Geological
Survey)
2014
Geology
http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html
of
Britain
Accessed
21
November 2014
CA
(Cotswold
Archaeology)
2014a
Coalville
Solar
Farm,
Normanton
le
Heath,
Leicestershire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluationef
10
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014b Land at Normanton-le-Heath, Normanton-le-Heath,
Leicestershire: Heritage Desk-Based Assessment CA Report No. 14208
DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) 2012 National Planning Policy
Framework
LAU (Leicestershire Archaeological Unit) 1991 The Excavation of a Romano-British
Farmstead at Normanton-le-Heath, Leicestershire
PCG (Pre-Construct Geophysics) 2014 Land at Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire:
Archaeological Geophysical Survey
ULAS (University of Leicester Archaeological Services) 1996 A Fieldwalking Survey at the
proposed Thorntree Opencast Coal Site east of Normanton-le-Heath, Leicestershire
ULAS Report No.96/90
11
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
Trench
No.
Context
No.
Context
interpretation
Description
1
100
Topsoil
Mid grey-brown clayey silt
1
101
Geology
Mid yellow-brown sandy clay
1
102
Ditch
1
103
Fill of 102
2
200
2
201
3
300
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
3
302
Geology
Mid red-brown sandy clay
4
400
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
4
401
Geology
Mid grey-brown sandy clay
5
500
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
5
501
Geology
Mid grey-brown sandy clay
6
600
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
6
601
Geology
Mid red-brown sandy clay
7
700
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
0.3
0.12
East/west-aligned; linear in plan
Length
(m)
Width
(m)
Depth/
thickness
(m)
0.29
>2
0.8
0.11
Mid brown-grey clayey sand
0.11
Topsoil
Mid red-brown silty clay
0.29
Geology
Mid red-brown sandy clay
0.28
0.34
0.28
0.29
7
701
Subsoil
Mid grey-brown sandy clay
7
702
Geology
Mid grey-brown sandy clay
8
800
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey clayey silt
0.29
8
801
Subsoil
Mid brown-grey clayey sand
0.13
8
802
Geology
Mid brown-orange clayey sand
8
803
Furrow
8
804
Fill of 803
9
900
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
0.21
9
901
Subsoil
Mid grey-brown clayey silt
0.13
9
903
Geology
Mid brown-orange sandy clay
10
1000
Topsoil
Dark grey-brown sandy clay
10
1001
Geology
Mid red-brown sand
11
1100
Topsoil
Dark grey-brown sandy clay
11
1101
Geology
Mid red-brown clayey sand
12
1200
Topsoil
Dark grey-brown sandy clay
12
1201
Geology
Mid red-brown clayey sand
13
1300
Topsoil
Dark grey-brown sandy clay
13
1301
Geology
Mid red-brown sandy clay
14
1400
Topsoil
Dark grey-brown sandy clay
14
1401
Void
14
1402
Geology
14
1403
Ditch
East-north-east/west-south-westaligned
Mid grey-brown clayey silt
Spot-date
>2
2.88
0.36
0.36
0.28
0.32
0.28
0.3
0.32
Void
Mid red-brown sandy clay
14
1404
Fill of 1403
East-north-east/west-south-westaligned; slightly curved in plan
Light brown-red sandy clay
14
1405
Fill of 1403
Mid brown-grey clayey silt
14
1406
Fill of 1403
Light brown-grey silty clay
14
1407
Fill of 1403
Mid pink-brown sandy clay
14
1408
Void
Void
14
1409
Void
Void
14
1410
Ditch
14
1411
Fill of 1410
North/south-aligned; linear in plan
Mid yellow-grey sandy clay
>5
1.7
0.58
0.14
0.82
1.4
0.17
0.15
>2
>3.85
C3–C4
0.46
>0.36
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© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Trench
No.
Context
No.
Context
interpretation
Description
14
1412
Fill of 1410
Pale grey sandy clay
0.12
14
1413
Fill of 1410
Mid grey-brown silty clay
0.18
14
1414
Posthole
Circular in plan
0.43
14
1415
Fill of 1414
Dark grey silty clay
0.43
14
1416
Fill of 1414
Mottled grey and white sandy clay
0.33
14
1417
Fill of 1414
Mid yellow-grey-brown silty clay
0.13
14
1418
Subsoil
Mid red-brown silty clay
0.2
14
1419
Fill of 1424
Mottled yellow-brown sandy clay
0.14
14
1420
Fill of 1424
Mid brown silty clay
0.18
14
1421
Fill of 1424
0.44
14
1422
Fill of 1424
14
1423
Fill of 1424
Sandy clay; mid grey with black
and red mottling
Pit lining: mid orange-red baked
clay
Pit lining: silty charcoal
14
1424
Pit
15
1500
Topsoil
Sub-circular in plan; not
excavated to depth
Dark brown-grey clayey silt
15
1501
Subsoil
Mid red-brown silty clay
15
1502
Geology
Mid brown-grey clayey sand
15
1503
Ditch
15
1504
Fill of 1503
16
1600
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
16
1601
Geology
Light yellow-brown clayey sand
17
1700
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
17
1701
Geology
Light yellow-brown clayey sand
17
1702
Ditch
17
1703
Fill of 1702
North-west/south-east-aligned;
linear in plan
Mid brown-grey sandy clay
East-south-east/west-north-westaligned; linear in plan
Mid brown-grey sandy clay
18
1800
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
18
1801
Geology
Light yellow-brown clayey sand
18
1802
Cut
18
1803
Fill of 1802
19
1900
Topsoil
Modern disturbance
(unexcavated)
Modern brick rubble in a silty
matrix
Dark brown-grey silty clay
19
1901
Geology
Light yellow-brown sandy clay
19
1902
Ditch
19
1903
Fill of 1902
North-west/south-east-aligned;
linear in plan
Mid brown-grey sandy clay
20
2000
Topsoil
Dark brown-grey silty clay
20
2001
Geology
Light yellow-brown sandy clay
Length
(m)
Width
(m)
Depth/
thickness
(m)
Spot-date
C2+
RB
0.1
0.15
3.6
>2
0.58
0.33
0.2
>2.12
1.13
0.42
0.42
0.3
0.3
>2
0.55
0.18
0.18
0.24
0.34
>2.5
0.64
0.18
0.18
0.29
13
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS
By Jacky Sommerville, CA
The finds recovered during the evaluation consisted entirely of pottery.
Pottery: Roman
A sherd of denuded (i.e. no slip remains) central Gaulish samian (LEZ SA2) was recovered
from ditch fill 1413 (ditch 1410, T14). This ware type was exported to Britain during the 2nd
century AD (Webster 1996, 2–3).
A base sherd from a mortarium in Mancetter-Hartshill White ware was recovered from ditch
fill 1407 (ditch 1403, T14). This type of pottery was manufactured in the Mancetter-Hartshill
area of north Warwickshire during the 2nd–4th centuries AD (Tyers 1996, 123). The use of
black, angular trituration grits is suggestive of 3rd–4th century dating in this instance
(Tomber and Dore 1998, 190).
The bulk of the remaining Roman pottery is only broadly dateable. A possible exception is a
bodysherd in a grog-and-quartz tempered fabric from ditch fill 1413 (ditch 1410, T14), which
probably dates to the 1st century AD.
Pottery in reduced sandy fabrics (grey or black-firing) makes up the bulk of the remainder
and is probably representative of local coarseware types. Identifiable forms include: a
greyware jar with a bifid rim in posthole fill 1417 (posthole 1414, T14); a jar from ditch fill
1413 (ditch 1410, T14) and a globular jar with an everted rim from posthole fill 1417
(posthole 1414, T14). The latter vessels were both made in the black-firing, sand-tempered
fabric.
Table B1: Finds concordance
Context
0
1407
1413
1417
Description
Roman pottery: coarse oxidised fabric
Roman pottery: Mancetter-Hartshill White ware; greyware;
black-firing, sand-tempered fabric
Roman pottery: samian; greyware; black-firing, sand-tempered
fabric; grog-and-quartz tempered fabric
Roman pottery: greyware; black-firing, sand-tempered fabric
Count
1
9
Weight(g)
3
401
Spot-date
C3-C4
7
101
C2+
10
177
RB
14
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
References
Tomber. R. and Dore. J. 1998 The National Roman Fabric Reference Collection: A
Handbook MOLaS Monograph 2
Tyers, P. 1996 Roman Pottery in Britain London: Routledge
15
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name
Short description (250 words maximum)
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire:
Archaeological Evaluation
In December 2014, Cotswold Archaeology undertook an
archaeological evaluation at the proposed location of Coalville
Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire. Twenty trenches
were excavated.
The remains of a Roman farmstead have previously been
excavated in the north-eastern corner of the site. A previous
geophysical survey of the site identified a number of anomalies
suggestive of areas of intensive burning.
The evaluation recorded two Roman ditches and a posthole at the
site, as well as a small number of shallow, undated ditches and an
undated pit containing evidence for in situ burning. Only one of the
ditches and the burnt pit had been detected by the geophysical
survey. Further geophysical anomalies suggestive of burning in the
south-western corner of the site were not found to relate to similar
burnt pit features.
The evaluation established the limits of the Roman farmstead in the
north-eastern corner of the site, although the Roman ditches and
posthole recorded by the evaluation probably represent associated
outlying agricultural activity.
A clay and charcoal-lined pit had clearly been the location of
intensive in situ burning, but the purpose of this burning is unclear.
The pit was entirely devoid of artefactual material and did not
match a Roman kiln previously recorded in the north-eastern
corner of the site.
Project dates
Project type
(e.g. desk-based, field evaluation, etc.)
Previous work
(reference to organisation or SMR
numbers, etc.)
Future work
PROJECT LOCATION
Site Location
2
Study area (M /ha)
Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference)
PROJECT CREATORS
Name of organisation
Project Brief originator
Project Design (WSI) originator
Project Manager
Project Supervisor
MONUMENT TYPE
SIGNIFICANT FINDS
PROJECT ARCHIVES
Physical
The evaluation also recorded extensive ridge and furrow remains
throughout the site, matching evidence from historic aerial
photographs and confirming that the site formed part of the
medieval open field system associated with Normanton le Heath
Parish.
3–8 December 2014
Field evaluation
Excavation (Leicestershire Archaeological Unit 1991)
Fieldwalking Survey (University of Leicester Archaeological
Services 1996)
Geophysical Survey (Pre-Construct Geophysics 2014)
Desk-Based Assessment (Cotswold Archaeology 2014)
Unknown
Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire
29.5ha
SK 3871 1350
Cotswold Archaeology
Leicestershire County Council
Cotswold Archaeology
Derek Evans
Peter James
None
None
Intended final location of archive
(museum/Accession no.)
Leicestershire Museums Service
Content (e.g. pottery,
animal bone, etc.)
Ceramics
16
© Cotswold Archaeology
Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation
Paper
Leicestershire Museums Service
Digital
Leicestershire Museums Service
Context
sheets,
registers, trench sheets,
drawings, etc.
Database, digital photos,
registers, etc.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cotswold Archaeology Coalville Solar Farm, Normanton le Heath, Leicestershire: Archaeological Evaluation CA
typescript report 15031
17
N
Cirencester 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
Milton Keynes 01908 218320
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Site location plan
0
1km
Reproduced from the 2005 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 Archaeology Ltd 100002109
DJB
DRAWN BY
JB
CHECKED BY
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
1:25,000
FIGURE NO.
1
Section AA
N
Trench 1
N
S
139.0m
AOD
103
101
0
ditch
102
ditch
102
1m
A
A
0
10m
Ditch 102, looking east (scale 0.4m)
Cirencester 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Trench 1: plan, section and photograph
DRAWN BY
DJB
JB
CHECKED BY
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
1:200 1:20
FIGURE NO.
5
Section BB
NW
ditch
1410
N
Trench 14
SE
133.0m
AOD
posthole
1414
1407
1406
C
pit
1424
1405
B
C
D
1404
ditch
1403
D
B
ditch
1403
0
0
1m
10m
Section CC
SE
1400
NW S
E
N W
133.5m
AOD
1413
1417
1412
1416
ditch
1410
1411
0
1415
posthole
1414
1m
Section DD
SW
NE
133.5m
AOD
1400
1418
land
drain
1422 1423
1419
1420
Cirencester 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
pit
1421
1421
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
0
1m
Trench 14: plan and sections
DRAWN BY
DJB
CHECKED BY
JB
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
1:200 1:20
FIGURE NO.
6
Trench 14, looking north-east (1m scales)
Pit 1424, looking south (2m scale)
Cirencester 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Ditch 1410 and posthole 1414, looking north (0.4m scale)
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Trench 14: photographs
DRAWN BY
DJB
CHECKED BY
JB
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
NA
FIGURE NO.
7
Section EE
SW
NE
133.0m
AOD
Trench 15
N
1504
ditch
1503
land
drain
0
1m
land
drain
furrow
E
ditch
1503
E
land
drain
0
10m
Ditch 1503, looking north-west (scale 1m)
Cirencester 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Trench 15: plan, section and
photograph
DRAWN BY
DJB
JB
CHECKED BY
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
1:200 1:20
FIGURE NO.
8
N
Trench 17
N
Trench 19
ditch
1702
F
furrow
F
land
drain
furrow
ditch
1902
G
0
G
10m
0
Section FF
Section GG
N
131.0m
AOD
10m
S
1703
NE
SW
137.25m
AOD
1701
ditch
1702
1903
1901
ditch
1902
Cirencester 01285 771022
0
1m
0
Cotswold
Archaeology
1m
Milton Keynes 01908 564660
Andover 01264 347630
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e enquiries@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
PROJECT TITLE
Coalville Solar Farm, Leicestershire
FIGURE TITLE
Trenches 17 and 19: plans and
sections
DRAWN BY
DJB
JB
CHECKED BY
APPROVED BY DE
PROJECT NO.
DATE
SCALE@A3
660385
23-01-2015
1:200 1:20
FIGURE NO.
9