NHER 61888 (Monument record) - Medieval and post-medieval structural remains and deposits

June 2013. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with drainage improvement works and excavation of cable trench.
This work revealed significant archaeological remains in the immediate vicinity of the chapel. The earliest feature identified was a substantial medieval ditch that ran beneath the north-west corner of the chapel and therefore clearly predated this 14th-century structure.
This work also revealed structural remains that post-dated the construction of the chapel. These included two seemingly linear patches of densely packed flint cobbles that were exposed to the south of the chapel. These deposits were interpreted as representing either footings or a robbed-out structure. Medieval pottery was recovered from the surrounding deposits.
A series of brick walls exposed on the northern side of the chapel are likely to have been the remains of 19th-century agricultural lean-to buildings. Structures were only cleared from this location in 1972. Flint and mortar footings that were exposed probably represented reused medieval fabric, rather than evidence for earlier structures. This work also exposed a small section of the chapel’s wall footings and the bases of several buttresses.
The excavations close to the chapel revealed the complete sequence of deposits overlying the natural geology. A layer of firm sandy clay that appeared to seal the ditch probably represented deliberate make-up/consolidation of this area prior to the construction of the chapel. Similar material was also noted to the south the chapel. Soil layers containing varying quantities of post-medieval brick fragments are likely to represent much more recent attempts to level and consolidate the area.
A trench dug across the land to the south of the chapel revealed a late post-medieval brick-built soakaway and a brick drainage conduit; both evidence for previous attempt to drain this area of wet, flood-prone land. To the east of the chapel a clean redeposited sand was observed beneath the uppermost deposits that probably also represents a previous (but undated) consolidation event. A modern horse burial was observed at the eastern edge of the field
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 October 2016.

July-August 2014. Strip Map and Sample Excavation and Watching Brief.
Archaeological mitigation work undertaken during installation of power cable and construction of ménage.
No additional archaeologically significant features were revealed during this work, although it did provide further information on the medieval and post-medieval deposit sequences present to the north and east of the chapel. It was clear that the chapel itself is sited on an outcrop of firmer ground, with the level of the natural clay dropping away markedly to the east. The deposit sequences observed were similar to those recorded during the earlier work. A layer of clean redeposited yellow sand was again observed to the east of the chapel, which, although still undated, appears to mark a divide between the post-medieval deposits and the potentially medieval natural build up of material beneath.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 October 2016.