1. No category

Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios
(Former World War II Aircraft Factory)
Watford
Hertfordshire
Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
for
Terence O’Rourke
CA Project: 3280
CA Report: 11160
December 2011
Leavesden Studios
(Former World War II Aircraft Factory)
Watford
Hertfordshire
Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample and
Archaeological Watching Brief
CA Project: 3280
CA Report: 11160
prepared by
date
checked by
date
approved by
Alexandra Wilkinson, Project Supervisor
8 December 2011
Richard Young, Project Manager
9 December 2011
Mark Collard, Head of Contracts
signed
date
9 December 2011
issue
01 18 July 2011 Issued for comment
02 24 October 2011 Issued to client/HCC for comment
03 9 December 2011 Final
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
Building 11, Kemble Enterprise Park, Kemble, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ
t. 01285 771022
f. 01285 771033
e. [email protected]
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
CONTENTS
SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 2
1.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 3
2.
RESULTS (FIGS 2-3) .......................................................................................... 5
3.
DISCUSSION....................................................................................................... 7
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 7
5.
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 7
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS..................................................................... 9
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS............................................................................................... 10
APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM ........................................................................... 11
APPENDIX D: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD SUMMARY FORM ..................... 12
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. 1
Site location plan (1:25,000)
Fig. 2
The site, showing location of groundworks and all features (1:1250)
Fig. 3
Plan, section and photograph of tree throw pit 817
1
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
SUMMARY
Project Name:
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios
Location:
Watford, Hertfordshire
NGR:
TL 0946 0073
Type:
Strip, Map and Sample
Date:
31 May - 15 June 2011
Planning Reference:
11/0590/FUL
Location of Archive:
To be deposited with Three Rivers Museum
Site Code:
LLS11
Issue No:
Issue 3 ; report revised following comments from Andy Instone,
HCC and re-evaluation of pottery assemblage
An archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during
groundworks associated with the replacement of a mill and the relocation of a workshop at
Leavesden Studios, Watford.
A single piece of probable late Iron Age pottery was retrieved from a tree throw pit and a
single residual piece of worked flint from a modern feature. No other features or deposits of
archaeological interest were observed during groundworks.
2
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1
In May and June 2011 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out a strip, map and
sample for Terence O’Rourke on behalf of Warner Bros. at Leavesden Studios
(centred on NGR: TL 0946 0073; Fig. 1). These exercises were undertaken to fulfil a
condition attached to a planning consent granted by Three Rivers Council (TRC) for
the replacement of the mill and the relocation of the workshop (TRC Planning ref:
11/0590/FUL). This condition was recommended by Mr Andy Instone, County
Planning Archaeologist, archaeological advisor to TRC. The objective of the
exercise was to record all archaeological remains exposed during the development
of the mill and workshop.
1.2
The strip, map and sample exercise was carried out in accordance with a detailed
Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2011a) and approved by Mr
Instone. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for an
archaeological watching brief (IfA 2008), the Standards for Field Archaeology in the
East of England (ALGAO 2003), Research and Archaeology: a Framework for the
Eastern Counties, 1: resource assessment (East Anglian Archaeology Occasional
Papers No. 3, 1997), Research and Archaeology: a Framework for the Eastern
Counties, 2: research agenda and strategy (East Anglian Archaeology Occasional
Papers No. 8, 2000), the Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage
1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment
(MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006).
The site
1.3
The site lies within the current Warner Bros film studios at Leavesden, Huntonbridge,
to the north of Watford, Hertfordshire. The site was formerly an airfield built in 1940 and
was adapted after the Second World War for aircraft manufacture by de Havilland.
1.4
The site comprised the proposed location of a replacement Mill and relocated
Workshop (KMG drawing no. 3719-LD-2005). These lie on the northern edge of the
current site of Leavesden Studios. Prior to the start of works the site was partially
occupied by an earthwork bund with the remainder of the area being concrete and
tarmac hardstanding.
3
© Cotswold Archaeology
1.5
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
The underlying solid geology of the area is mapped as Lewes Nodular Chalk
Formation and Seaford Chalk Formation with superficial deposits of Gerrards Cross
Gravel (BGS 2011). The natural substrate observed on site was a silty sand with
large flint nodules.
Archaeological background
1.6
Prior to the closure of the aircraft factory no archaeological information was available
for the site. Records were limited to isolated finds of prehistoric and Roman material
found during the post-war construction of the surrounding housing estates. After the
closure of the airfield, archaeological work on the eastern side of a new spine road
in 1998 identified an area of Iron Age and Roman activity (Brossler 1999). The
features revealed included ditches, pits, postholes and a possible corn drier. A large
assemblage of pottery was recovered as well as some evidence of metalworking.
Some of the ditches formed sub-rectangular enclosures. A further evaluation by
Cotswold Archaeology (then the Cotswold Archaeological Trust, CAT 2000) to the
west of the spine road within the aerodrome site uncovered further features dating
from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age, some of which may be a
continuation of those uncovered in 1998 (Fig. 2). Five trenches were excavated in
this northern area of the studios, with two trenches (60 and 63) containing features
interpreted as gravel extraction pits or possibly areas excavated during the
construction of the airfield. A pair of boundary ditches, orientated east/west, was
identified in three trenches (61-63) but with no datable artefacts present. These may
have been associated with former field boundaries. Two possible postholes of
Middle to Late Bronze Age date were observed in the southern portion of the studio
complex during an earlier phase of works (CA 2011b). An undated ditch and several
undated postholes were also identified.
1.7
No further evidence has been recorded of non-agricultural use of the site until the early
20th century when the southern portion was acquired by Watford Council and became
the King George V Playing Field. This was followed by the construction of the airfield in
1940.
4
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
Methodology
1.8
The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2011a). An
archaeologist was present during intrusive groundworks comprising the mechanical
stripping of three areas for the construction of a replacement mill and the relocation of
a workshop (Fig. 2). No other areas were investigated as this was not required by
the WSI.
1.9
Where archaeological deposits were encountered written, graphic and photographic
records were compiled in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork
Recording Manual (2007).
1.10
The archive and artefacts from the exercise are currently held by CA at their offices
in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be
deposited with Three Rivers Museum, along with the site archive. A summary of
information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the
OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain. In addition, a
Hertfordshire County Council Historic Environment Record Summary Form has been
prepared (Appendix D).
2.
RESULTS (FIGS 2-3)
2.1
The natural substrate was identified approximately 1m below present ground level
(bpgl). It was cut by tree throw pit 817 which was roughly sub-oval with rounded
corners and an irregular concave base. It contained six fills; the upper fill, 823
contained a single piece of Iron Age pottery. Despite the feature being fully
excavated no further finds were retrieved. It was sealed by buried subsoil, 803,
which covered the whole area. This subsoil was cut by three modern features,
trench 806, the construction cut for a modern wooden panel fence, and trenches 808
and 810, which were both modern service trenches. A single worked flint was
recovered from fill 807, of trench 808, however as modern material was also
recovered it must be considered residual. These features were sealed by buried
topsoil, 802, which was below rubble deposit, 801, 0.5m thick. This was finally
covered by another topsoil layer, 800.
5
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
The Finds Evidence
2.2
A small quantity of artefactual material was recovered from three deposits,
comprising metal objects, a sherd of late prehistoric pottery, fired clay, ceramic
building material, worked flint, clinker, coal and burnt slate (Appendix B). The
majority of the finds are modern and this material will not be retained.
2.3
A single sherd of pottery was recorded from tree-throw fill 823 (Fig 4). The sherd is
abraded and its pitted surfaces are suggestive of leaching of (calcareous) inclusions.
Original reporting suggested a probable Middle Iron Age date, based largely on the
deep scored decoration which can be a feature of pottery of this date across the
east Midlands and extending southwards (Elsdon 1992). Re-examination of the
sherd suggests dating later in the Iron Age or extending into the middle decades of
the 1st century AD. This is based in part on the pottery fabric, which in addition to
the calcareous inclusions contains grog, a feature of ‘Belgic’ pottery typical of this
period in the region (Thompson 1982). It is also significant that the decoration runs
horizontally and might feasibly be confined to the shoulder of the vessel. Scored
decoration of this type can be a feature of ‘Belgic’ groups from the locality; occurring
for example on a number of necked jars of Late Iron Age type previously published
from Leavesden Aerodrome (Brown 2009, fig. 11, nos 4-5) and further afield in the
county from Gorhambury (Parminter 1990, fig. 153, nos. 11-14) and Baldock (Rigby
1986, fig. 109, no. 69; fig. 102, no. 105; fig. 114, no. 125). The term ‘Belgic’ is here
used to refer to a style of pottery common in south-east England which is
characterised by wheel-thrown or wheel finished forms in fabrics generally
characterised by the use of grog as the main tempering agent. It is a useful term,
and still widely used, as the style spans the Late Iron Age/Early Roman period (c. 50
BC to c. 70 AD). It is true that the term carries cultural associations and there is
certainly no clear link with the Caesar’s Belgae. For this reason the term is only used
here when referring to the style of pottery. As a single, and possibly re-deposited,
sherd dating to the Late Iron Age or 1st century AD, the sherd from deposit 823 is
considered of limited significance.
2.4
A single prehistoric worked flint was recovered from deposit 807, together with a
modern ceramic building material, clinker and coal. The flint consists of a broken
flake of uncertain date.
6
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
3.
DISCUSSION
3.1
Despite the archaeological potential of the application area the work identified no
archaeological remains within the area of observed groundworks. It cannot be
determined if the pottery recovered from the tree throw pit was placed or intrusive.
The work also demonstrated that the features identified in the evaluation and
interpreted as ditches were in fact modern features. The absence of archaeological
deposits may indicate that the Early Bronze Age to Roman activity seen to the northeast of the development area (CAT 2000b, Brossler 1999 & Brossler et. al. 2009)
either does not extend as far as or was not exposed by the development.
4.
CA PROJECT TEAM
Fieldwork was undertaken by Rebecca Riley. The report was written by Alexandra
Wilkinson. The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett. The archive has been
compiled by Rebecca Riley, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The
project was managed for CA by Richard Young.
5.
BGS
REFERENCES
(British
Geological
Survey)
2011
Geology
of
Britain
Viewer
http://maps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyviewer_google/googleviewer.html
Brossler A. 1999 Leavesden Aerodrome, Abbots Langley, Watford, Hertfordshire: Postexcavation Assessment and Research Design. Oxford Archaeology Unit
Brossler, A., Laws, G. and Welsh, K. 2009 An Iron Age and Roman site at Leavesden
Aerodrome, Abbots Langley’, Hertfordshire Archaeol and Hist. 16, 27-56
Brown, K. 2009 ‘Pottery: Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval’, in Brossler et al
2009, 40-48
Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT) 2000 Leavesden Park, Watford, Hertfordshire:
Archaeological Evaluation. CAT report No. 001201
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011a Leavesden Studios, Watford, Hertfordshire: Written
Scheme of Investigation for Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample.
7
© Cotswold Archaeology
CA
(Cotswold
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
Archaeology)
2011b
Leavesden
Studios,
Watford,
Hertofrdshire:
Archaeological Strip, Map and Smaple and Watching Brief. CA Report No. 11075
Elsdon, S.M. 1992 ‘East Midlands Scored Ware’, Trans. Leics. Archaeol. Hist. Soc. 66, 83–
91
Neal, D. Wardle, A. and Hunn, J. 1990 Excavation of the Iron Age, Roman and medieval
settlement at Gorhambury, St Albans London English Heritage Archaeological
reports no. 14
Parminter, Y. 1990 ‘The Late Iron Age (‘Belgic’) pottery’, in Neal et al 1990, 177-81
Thompson, I. 1982 Grog-tempered ‘Belgic’ Pottery of South-eastern England, Brit. Archaeol.
Rep. Brit. Ser. 108, Oxford, British Archaeological Reports
Rigby, V. 1986 ‘Stratified Groups of Late Iron Age and Roman pottery’, in Stead and Rigby
1986, 257–380
Stead, I.M. and Rigby, V. 1986 Baldock: The Excavation of a Roman and Pre-Roman
Settlement, 1968–72 Britannia Monograph No. 7, London, Society for the Promotion
of Roman Studies
8
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS
Area 8
No.
Type
Description
800
801
Layer
Layer
802
Layer
803
Layer
804
Deposit
805
Fill
Topsoil: Dark grey sandy silt with regular flint gravel
Made ground: Flint nodules, brick fragments, glass
and iron nails held in a mid orangey brown silty clay
matrix
Buried topsoil: Dark grey sandy silt with regular
pebbles and flint fragments
Buried subsoil: Light yellowish brown sandy silt
matrix with abundant flint nodules
Natural: medium to large sized flint nodules in a mid
orange silty sand with occasional clay patches
Fill of 805: Mid grey sandy silt with wood fragments
0.3
0.03
806
Cut
Cut of trench for wooden panel fence
0.3
0.03
807
Fill
0.5
0.2
0.5
0.2
808
Cut
Fill of 808: Mid grey silty sand with common flint
nodules and pebbles
Cut of modern service trench
809
Fill
Fill of 810
Length
(m)
Width
(m)
Depth
(m)
0.2
0.5
Spotdate
0.2
LC19C20
0.1
810
Cut
Cut of modern service trench
811
Layer
Layer below 812
812
Layer
Brick and rubble bedding for tarmac 813
0.26
813
Layer
Tarmac
0.12
814
Fill
0.17
815
Fill
816
Fill
Fill of 817: Dark grey sandy silty clay with
occasional small flint pebbles
Fill of 817: Light blueish grey silty sand with
common charcoal flecks and very common flint
pebbles
Fill of 817: Light orangey brown clayey sandy silt
matrix with abundant flint pebbles
Cut of tree throw
817
Cut
818
Fill
819
Fill
820
VOID
Fill of 817: Light blueish grey silty sand with
common charcoal flecks and very common flint
pebbles
Fill of 817: Light orangey brown clayey sandy silt
matrix with abundant flint pebbles
VOID
821
VOID
VOID
822
VOID
VOID
823
Fill
Fill of 817: Light orangey brown clayey sandy silt
with common small flint pebbles
MOD
0.17
0.09
3.2
1.4
0.55
0.15
0.11
0.28
LPRE
9
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
APPENDIX B: THE FINDS
Context
802
807
823
Description
Ceramic building material: brick (modern ‘frogged’)
Clinker and burnt slate
Iron nail and iron rod
Ceramic building material
Clinker and coal
Worked flint: broken flake
Fired clay
Prehistoric pottery: limestone-tempered fabric
Ct.
1
50
12
3
6
1
1
1
Wt.
619
146
500
15
7
3
1
9
Date
LC19-C20
MOD
LPRE
(LIA?)
10
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Name
Short description
Project dates
Project type
Leavesden Studios, (Former World War II Aircraft Factory),
Watford, Hertfordshire
An archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken by
Cotswold Archaeology during groundworks associated with the
replacement of a mill and the relocation of a workshop at
Leavesden Studios, Watford.
A single piece of Iron Age pottery was retrieved from a tree throw
pit and a single residual piece of worked flint from a modern
feature. No other features or deposits of archaeological interest
were observed during groundworks.
31 May - 15 June 2011
Strip, Map and Sample and Watching Brief
Future work
Evaluation by Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT 2000, 001201)
Archaeological Strip, map and sample and Archaeological
Watching Brief (CA 2011, 11075)
Unknown
PROJECT LOCATION
Site Location
Study area (M2/ha)
Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference)
Leavesden Studios, Watford, Hertfordshire
1.4ha
TL 0929 0053
PROJECT CREATORS
Name of organisation
Project Brief originator
Project Design (WSI) originator
Cotswold Archaeology
Hertfordshire County Council
Cotswold Archaeology
Project Manager
Project Supervisor
MONUMENT TYPE
SIGNIFICANT FINDS
PROJECT ARCHIVES
Richard Young
Rebecca Riley
None
None
Intended final location of archive
Physical
Paper
Three Rivers Museum
Three Rivers Museum
Digital
Three Rivers Museum
Previous work
Content
Ceramics and Flint
Context, records, site
location plan, trench
sheets, context sheets,
drawings, day sheets,
photo registers
Digital photos, project
background, reports
BIBLIOGRAPHY
CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Leavesden Studios, Watford, Hertfordshire: Archaeological Strip, map and
sample and Archaeological Watching Brief. CA Report No. 11160
11
© Cotswold Archaeology
Mill and Workshop, Leavesden Studios: Archaeological Strip, Map and Sample
APPENDIX D: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD SUMMARY FORM
Site
name
and
address:
County: Hertfordshire
Village/Town:
Leavesden
Planning
application
reference:
Client:
Nature of application:
Present land use:
Size of
application
area: 14,000m²
NGR (8 figures):
Site Code:
Site
director/organisation:
Type of work:
Date of work:
Curating museum:
Related SMR Nos:
Relevant
previous
summaries/reports:
Summary of fieldwork
results:
Author of summary:
Alexandra Wilkinson
Leavesden Studios, (Former World War II Aircraft Factory), Watford, Hertfordshire
District: Three Rivers
Parish: Abbots Langley
11/0590/FUL
Warner Bros
Replacement Mill and relocation of the Workshop
Film studios
Size of area investigated:
1.4ha
TL 0929 0053
LLS11
Cotswold Archaeology
Strip, Map and Sample and Watching Brief
31 May - 15 June 2011
Three Rivers Museum
Periods represented:
Bronze Age and undated
Evaluation by Cotswold Archaeological Trust (CAT 2000, report no. 001201)
Archaeological Strip, map and sample and Archaeological Watching Brief (CA 2011,
11076)
An archaeological strip, map and sample was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology
during groundworks associated with the replacement of a mill and the relocation of a
workshop at Leavesden Studios, Watford.
A single piece of Iron Age pottery was retrieved from a tree throw pit and a single
residual piece of worked flint from a modern feature. No other features or deposits of
archaeological interest were observed during groundworks.
Date of summary:
October 2011
12
Reproduced from the 1994 Ordnance Survey Landranger map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office
c Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeological Trust 100002109
N
site
0
5km
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
PROJECT TITLE
Leavesden Studios, Watford
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
FIGURE TITLE
Site location plan
DRAWN BY
JB
SCALE
1:50,000@A4
PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
3280
1
Plan
N
A
Section AA
NE
102m
AOD
SW
823
816
814
815
818
tree throw pit
817
0
A
0
819
tree throw pit
817
2m
2m
t 01285 771022
Cotswold
Archaeology
f 01285 771033
w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
e [email protected]
PROJECT TITLE
Tree throw pit 817, looking south (scales 1m and 0.3m)
Leavesdon Studios, Watford
Hertfordshire
FIGURE TITLE
Plan, section and photograph of
tree throw pit 817
PROJECT NO. 3280
DRAWN BY
JB
APPROVED BY PJM
DATE
12-07-2011
REVISION
00
SCALE@A3 1:20 and 1:50
FIGURE NO.
3
4
4
COTSWOLD ARCHAEOLOGY
Iron Age sherd from deposit 823
PROJECT TITLE
Leavesden Studios, Watford
Hertfordshire
FIGURE TITLE
Photograph
DRAWN BY
PJM
SCALE
PROJECT NO. FIGURE NO.
n/a
3280
4