Recent Projects

Buckholt Wood, Monmouth - Community Archaeological Dig

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In June 2024, Churchill Archaeology organised and managed a community archaeological evaluation at the Iron Age Hilltop Enclosure in Buckholt Woods on behalf of Buckholt Bryngaer CIC. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Prior to the dig, very little was known about the site, despite its designation as a scheduled monument. With assistance from Amgueddfa Cymru, Churchill Archaeology welcomed seventy-four participants over five days.

 

During the dig it became clear that the enclosure was much more substantial than previously thought and is most likely a Hillfort. A local volunteer, who has been researching the area for 30 years, also revealed the location of a large Neolithic flint scatter on the neighbouring summit. First impressions suggest that this is a Neolithic Enclosure and, if so, this extremely important and exciting.

 

Immediately after the dig, Churchill Archaeology and Buckholt Bryngaer CIC wrote a proposal for additional funding from the National Lottery, which was approved. The funding was awarded, and a twelve-day archaeological evaluation took place on all three sites between the 1st October to the 15th October 2024. The evaluation found that the cottage was in excellent condition and contained far more archaeological remains than previously thought, the Iron Age Enclosure was a highly significant hillfort with a possible annexe; and the Neolithic Enclosure was confirmed and contains possibly the best Early Neolithic assemblage in Wales.

 

Over the course of 17 days of excavation, the community project welcomed 375 participants, with 525 repeat visits. While most volunteers were local, some travelled from as far as Leominster, Birmingham, Surrey, Bristol, Cardiff, and Barry. Around 20% had prior archaeological experience, while the majority were new to the field.

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This project has only just scratched the surface of the site’s potential. Further excavations are planned for 2026. Should you wish to get involved please email Kate Churchill via info@churchillarchaeology.com to register your interest. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. 

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St Brigid’s Church, St Brides, Netherwent, Monmouthshire– Archaeology Watching Brief

Eglwys St Brigid, Saint-y-brid Netherwent, Sir Fynwy - Gorchwyl Gwylio Archeolegol

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In June 2023, Churchill Archaeology carried out an archaeological watching brief during the construction of an eco-toilet at St Brigid’s Church, St Brides, Netherwent, Caldicot. Commissioned by the Church Wardens, Churchill Archaeology acted as both Heritage Consultant and Contractor, ensuring the project adhered to CIfA standards.

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The site lies southwest of the c.13th-century church and within, but not included in, the St Bride’s Netherwent Deserted Village Scheduled Monument. The location has high potential for archaeological remains, including unmarked burials and possible structural elements, such as a former boundary wall or the southern aisle of the medieval church.

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The watching brief was temporarily paused after the discovery of four exceptionally well-preserved sub-adult burials, likely shroud burials dating to the medieval period and possibly connected to the village’s abandonment during the plague. A rapid archaeological assessment was carried out, after which options were discussed with the client, and the development was carefully adjusted to ensure the burials could remain respectfully in-situ.

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Mynydd Eglwysilan Common, Nelson, Caerphilly County Borough - Archaeological Evaluation

Celfyddyd Graig Gynhanesyddol ar Gomin Mynydd Eglwysilan, Nelson, Cyngor Sir Bwrdeistref Caerffili - Gwerthusiad Archeolegol

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In September 2023, Churchill Archaeology was asked by Cadw to archaeologically record a trench that had been illegally excavated around a Prehistoric Rock Art Panel (Item B) on Mynydd Eglwysilan Common in Nelson. The case featured in the news and was Cadw’s first successful prosecution of a section 28 damage offence (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979) in Wales. The site is one of two sandstone rock art panels identified in 2019 as potential Early to Middle Bronze Age (2500-1600 BCE) monuments. 

 

The archaeological evaluation found that the panel appeared to be two stones that may have split naturally through weathering but is likely to have been purposefully fractured in two. On the north, south and east side of the panel there were three small holes situated at the same depth below the top of the stone. The uniform dimensions and parallel positions of the holes suggest that they were not natural. Although the interiors could not be seen, the roof of the holes felt smooth, concave and extended upwards. On the western side of the panel there was a triangular ledge. 

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The height of the structure and the four parallel holes and ledge suggest that the panel was originally raised above the ground surface and would have been visible in the landscape. 

 

Priory Gardens, Usk, Monmouthshire – Archaeology Watching Brief

Gerddi’r Priordy, Brynbuga, Sir Fynwy - Gorchwyl Gwylio Archeolegol

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In early 2020, a local developer contacted Churchill Archaeology asking for archaeological advice concerning the construction of a small extension in Usk.  Whilst the building dated to the 1960s, it was situated within the site of the Medieval Benedictine Priory and the Usk Roman fortress. As such, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) and Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) had requested an archaeological watching brief to ensure that no archaeological remains were destroyed during the construction of the extension.

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Churchill Archaeology explained the process to the Client and, on their behalf, corresponded with the Council. A Written Scheme of Investigation, which includes a brief history of the site, the proposed methodology for the work, provisions for post-excavation and detailed contingency arrangements, was prepared and approved by MCC. The watching brief took place in the autumn and identified a substantial wall dating to the early 20th century, a 19th century field boundary ditch, and a moderate amount of Roman pottery. Whilst the pottery sherds were likely to be displaced due to ploughing, it is thought that more Roman material may still survive in-situ further down.

 

Witley Court Estate, Great Witley, Worcestershire – Conservation Management Plan Update

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In 2019, Churchill Archaeology was asked by English Heritage to prepare an updated Conservation Management Plan for the Witley Court Estate. The purpose of the report was to consider the significance of the estate, risks and opportunities for the buildings and landscape, and to develop an action plan for future conservation and management works.

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Witley Court is a ruined Italianate mansion built for the Foley family in the seventeenth century on the site of a former manor house. It was enhanced in the early nineteenth century by the architect John Nash and in the mid nineteenth century by Samuel Daukes. In 1937 a major fire caused great damage to the house and the estate was broken up and sold. It is classified as a Scheduled Monument, a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden and contains eleven Listed Buildings.

 

The Castle House, Usk, Monmouthshire - Archaeological Watching Brief

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In January 2019 Churchill Archaeology was commissioned to undertake an archaeological watching brief for the conversion of a former workshop into a meeting space within the Scheduled Monument of Usk Castle. The workshop is situated in a highly sensitive archaeological area to the east of the standing castle walls and to the north-west of Castle House, a Grade I listed building formerly the castle’s gatehouse. It is also within the Usk Conservation Area. Whilst its exact origins are not known, it is thought to have been a service range for Castle House prior to the 19th century when it was converted into stables and more recently into a workshop. Today it is little used and is in poor condition. Whilst the workshop is located within the outer bailey of Usk Castle, it is not part of the Scheduled Monument.

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The scope of archaeological work, as agreed with Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) and Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT), was a photographic survey (level 1 RCHMW) and an archaeological watching brief during ground works to provide an opportunity to identify and record archaeological remains and report on the findings in the appropriate manner. These were mostly undertaken in the spring and summer of 2019, with another phase due later in the year. The watching brief found that the workshop had been constructed on a large deposit of imported red clay that contained bovine remains that were partially fossilised. Despite the lack of dating material it is thought that the clay post-dates the castle remains and is more likely to be contemporary with the current use of Castle House in the post-medieval period.

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Former Quaker Meeting House, The Cayo, Llandenny, Monmouthshire - Historic Building Recording (Level 3)

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In March 2019 Churchill Archaeology was asked to undertake a historic building recording and photographic survey prior to the conversion of a former Quaker meeting house and attached long agricultural range into two dwellings at The Cayo, Llandenny. The Farmstead consists of a heavily renovated 17/18th century farmhouse, a Grade II listed 18th century long barn range with a Quaker meeting house at the south-eastern end, a 18th/19th century single storey long range and a 20th century cow shed. Today the farm is uninhabited and is deteriorating. It is not a Scheduled Monument or within a Conservation Area or an Area of Archaeological Potential.

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Churchill Archaeology successfully identified, recorded and interpreted all archaeological and historic architectural features prior to the development. Within the resources available and methodological constraints, the survey provided a permanent, accurate and easily accessible record of the building proportionate to the known intended works. It also enhanced the knowledge and historic understanding of the building as a whole, which can be used to inform the development.

 

The surveys revealed that the north-western end of the long barn is the oldest structure on the site and appears to have both domestic and agricultural architectural features. This suggests that it was first built as a longhouse, the key feature of which is that it housed both people and cattle under one roof. This vernacular house type is viewed as authentically Welsh or Celtic and has been recorded in Wales since the early Medieval period up until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. To the south-east of this structure an extension was added prior to the construction of the Quaker Meeting House in the late 17th century.

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Fairhaven Marine Lake and Gardens, Lancashire - Community Archaeology Excavation (Churchill Archaeology/MOLES Archaeology)

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Fairhaven is a coastal suburb located between the towns of Lytham and St Anne’s in Lancashire. It was designed as an ‘up-market’ planned resort in 1891 and in 1924 T.H Mawson was employed to enlarge the lake and upgrade its surrounding gardens and landscaping. One of his principal features was the Japanese garden/lagoon situated on the southwesterly side, which was infilled in the 1960s and 1980s. Today the former resort, now a suburb, is a well-loved local amenity and yet, despite its Green Flag status, there is deterioration in its infrastructure.

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In 2017 Flyde Borough Council were awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People Development Grant to bring back to life the historic quality and character of the place for the benefit of the visiting public. In April 2018 Churchill Archaeology was employed by Moles Archaeology to organise and manage a seven-day community archaeological excavation to re-discover the Japanese Garden and inform its conservation and reconstruction. The excavation was a great success, with over 570 volunteer hours and participation from local schools and scout groups, not to mention the 400+ people who attended the open day. 

 

According to Fylde Borough Council it galvanised the local community in a really positive way and created such a buzz like no other event they have held. 

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