Recent Projects

Request for Volunteers - 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. 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 Causewayed Enclosure and, if so, this extremely important and exciting.

 

Immediately after the dig, Churchill Archaeology and Buckholt Bryngaer wrote a proposal for additional funding from the National Lottery, which was approved. The excavation will take place between Wednesday 2nd October and Sunday 13th October 2024. We have capacity for 50 volunteers per day and the supervisory team will include members from Amgueddfa Cymru, Cadw, Historic England and Moles Archaeology.

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Prior to the excavation, there will be three days of bracken bashing (Thursday 12th September, Friday 13th September and Thursday 26th September) to aid the geophysical survey, drone survey and earthwork survey that will be taking place at the same time. These surveys will inform the placement of the trenches and there is the opportunity to help the specialists and view the results. 

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Should you wish to get involved please email Kate Churchill via info@churchillarchaeology.com to book your space. No experience is necessary and all are welcome. 

 

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

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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 three)

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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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Manor Abbey Farm, Halesowen, West Midlands Archaeological Strip, Map and Record Excavation (MOLES Archaeology/Churchill Archaeology)

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In 2018, Churchill Archaeology was instructed to prepare a written scheme of investigation for the conversion of several farm barns, the creation of a visitor centre and car park on the site of Halesowen Abbey. The site of the Abbey currently consists of a Victorian farm house with ancillary farm buildings including the historical ruins of the 13th century St Mary’s Abbey and Infirmary building. The Abbey is believed to be one of the best preserved monastic sites in the West Midlands and has important archaeological remains surviving both above and below ground. All the buildings on the site are Grade 1 listed and the remainder of the site is a Scheduled Monument. As such any work taking place on the site must be closely monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist to ensure the careful management of the asset.

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In spring 2018 both Churchill Archaeology and Moles Archaeology will be undertaking an archaeological strip, map and record evaluation and 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. 

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Avebury Henge, Windmill Hill & West Kennet Avenue Archaeological Watching Brief (Churchill Archaeology/TALITS Archaeology Services)​

 

Throughout the winter of 2017/8, Churchill Archaeology has been on standby for the National Trust and TALITS Archaeology Services to undertake any archaeological watching briefs that are required for the Avebury World Heritage Site.  So far these have taken place within the Neolithic henge and stone circle (a large circular bank and ditch built between 2850BC and 2200 BC), on Windmill Hill (a Neolithic causewayed enclosure with three concentric ditches that circle a low hilltop) and West Kennet Avenue (an 'avenue', originally of around 100 pairs of prehistoric standing stones situated between Avebury and The Sanctuary), all of which are scheduled ancient monuments.