138: Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Caerphilly. Watching Brief

DOCUMENT NO 265 March 2015
A.P.A.C. Ltd.
Archaeological Perspectives Analysis Consultancy
ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF
REPORT
WB/AWG/15
Land South West of Carn Y Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Planning Applications: 15/0025/FUL & 15/0026/FUL
Prepared for:
Messrs Bowen. S., & Harrison. L.
By: Dr N. Phillips.
A.P.A.C. Land SW of Carn Y Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg WB/AWG/15
Summary
This document comprises the report of an archaeological watching brief

undertaken during ground work at a site identified as having potential
archaeological resources that may be impacted by any development.
The development of concern was the construction of two new residential dwellings
on an area of waste ground, on which outline planning permission already had
granted; with conditions.
Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC), in accordance with the guidance

from Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) imposed a condition
requiring an archaeological watching brief during ground disturbance.
The current planning applications required the same conditions.
This document is the report resulting from the watching brief
The work revealed partial remains of a small section of floor from part of the
agricultural enclosure known to have existed at the site
Copyright Notice:
A.P.A.C. Ltd. retains copyright of this report under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
The Ordnance Survey has granted A.P.A.C. Ltd a Copyright Licence (No. 100046577) to reproduce map information; Copyright remains
otherwise with the Ordnance Survey.
Cover Photograph: SM-N9005. 2015-02-25 16.00.44.
1
Contents
Summary .........................................................................................................................................1
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
Figures:............................................................................................................................................2
Plates: ..............................................................................................................................................3
Appendices ......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4
Site Location and Description .........................................................................................................4
Geology and Topography................................................................................................................4
Brief archaeological and historical background..............................................................................5
Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................................5
Watching Brief ................................................................................................................................5
Watching Brief Results ...................................................................................................................6
Interpretation ...................................................................................................................................8
Staff .................................................................................................................................................9
Archive:...........................................................................................................................................9
Acknowledgements: ........................................................................................................................9
Bibliography and References: .......................................................................................................10
Figures:
Fig 01 Site location map.

Fig 02 Proposes plans for Plots 1 & 2 over survey plan from EV/Asg/13
Fig 03 Position of Plots 1 & 2 in relation to archaeological resources, and proposed land levelling
Fig 04 Plan of archaeological resource, flooring.
2
Plates:
PL 01 Trenches 1 and 2. South west corner for the gabions

PL 02 Trenches 1 & 2 at corner. Contexts [100], [102], [103]
PL 03 North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble filled building
PL 04 North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand. Parts of automobile and other iron
work, glass bottles, and modern plastics including ‘Dr Pepper’ bottle. Not retained
PL 05 North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand
PL 06 Removal of northern boundary wall
PL 07 North western wall showing blocked opening, detail view with scale
PL 08 North corner of enclosure wall with internal return, Possible building related to blocked opening
in photographs DSC07656, DSC07657 & DSC07694
PL 09 Removal of western boundary wall
PL 10 Western boundary wall showing depth of foundation below present landfill at approximately
900mm
PL 11 SE corner and eastern boundary wall [104] in foreground Cobbled surface [114] to rear
PL 12 View along remains of eastern enclosure wall
PL 13 Pitched stone edging to cobbled surface along southern side
PL 14 South west enclosure wall prior to demolition.
PL 15 South west enclosure wall prior to demolition external view
PL 16 South west enclosure wall prior to demolition Internal view of corner
PL 17 View along eastern enclosure wall with exposed cobble to the west
PL 18 Completed clearing of cobbles, paved floor [106] and drain [115]
PL 19 Photograph from EV/Asg/13 showing stone paved flooring.
PL 20 Cobbles right, paved area middle and building with drain from evaluation EV/Asg/13 left.
PL 21 Detail, scaled photographic sequence along Drain D2
PL 22 Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles S7
PL 26 Eastern boundary wall. Upper course on lower foundation course. Lime mortared
PL 27 Recording the floor
PL 28 Southern end of site scraped to bedding plane
Appendices
Appendix I Context sheet

Appendix II Digital Photograph list & contact sheet
Appendix III Finds Index & assemblage photographs
3
Introduction
A.P.A.C. Ltd was contacted in early June 2013 by Mr & Mrs Hudd, (clients), in relation to a proposed plan of work
to construct three dwellings on land belonging to them; SW of Carn-Y-Tyla, Terrace, Abertysswg.
A planning application was submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council, (CCBC); (pl.app.no
DC/13/0157/OUT) which was picked up by Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, (GGAT), as ‘a possible
archaeological issue’, (CAE0293/JBHD).
GGAT further advised that determination of the planning application should be deferred until an archaeological
evaluation had been undertaken at the site.
Archaeological evaluation trenching was completed by APAC. Ltd, in June of that year and a report, EV/Asg/13,
was submitted and approved.
Informed by the findings of the report; outline planning permission was granted with conditions, one of which
stated:
The developer shall ensure that a suitably qualified archaeologist is present during the
undertaking of any ground disturbing works in the development area, so that an archaeological
watching brief can be conducted. The archaeological watching brief shall be undertaken to the
standards of the Institute for Archaeologists. The Local Planning Authority shall be informed, in
writing, at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the development of the name of the said
archaeologist and no work shall begin until the Local Planning Authority has confirmed, in
writing, that the proposed archaeologist is suitable. A copy of the watching brief report shall be
submitted to the Local Planning Authority within two months of the fieldwork being completed by
the archaeologist.
CCBC 13/0157/OUT
Following on from the above events, the plot of land with its outline planning permission was purchased by Messrs.
Bowen and Harrison.
They applied for new planning permissions: 15/0025/FUL & 15/0026/FUL, changing the proposal from three
detached houses with parking to two detached houses with parking.
Both applications were granted permission with the original conditions.
The client’ having been advised of this contacted Dr N. Phillips of A.P.A.C. Ltd to undertake the work.
Site Location and Description
The location of the site NGR: 312635 205738 can be gained from the A465; when travelling west from Tredegar
take the first slip road left onto the B4275 and continue through Rhymney towards Pontlottyn.
Just before turning down hill to the right, take the left, turn signposted Abertysswg and continue for just over a
kilometre.
The site is on the right just before the cattle grid and adjacent to the electricity station fig 01.
The proposed site is enclosed by a barbed wire fence north east, north west and south west with open ground to the
south.
The east is bounded by the security fence of the electricity site, fig 02.
Geology and Topography
The underlying solid geology at Abertysswg is predominantly made up of the Llynfi Member Mudstone, Siltstone,
and sandstone overlain superficial Till, Devensian - Diamicton. (BGS 2015).
4
The site is situated on the south east slope of the Rhymney valley and has a general N/S gradient drop of 1:10.4, fig
02.
To the north is a 0.9m embankment which rises at 1:2.9 whilst in the south west corner the slope swings west,
increasing to a gradient of 1:6, fig 02.
Brief archaeological and historical background
A brief paragraph on the archaeological history and background to the site was produced for the evaluation report
EV/Asg/13.
To summarise, Abertysswg itself came into existence during early 19th century industrialisation of the South Wales
Valleys: road & rail links between coal mining and ports with housing and infrastructure for the imported populace.
The immediate area of the site had very little documentation although map progressions identified a possible
enclosure, Carn-Y-Telorau in 1833, with further more definitive recording of changes throughout the 95 years from
1878 to 1973.
The evaluation background proposed that ‘the position of the site to the road was of interest in that it is the only
feature that is out of alignment’ with the other structures including the road, ‘possibly indicative of its earlier
layout’.
Generally, the evaluation work revealed that the site had very little soil coverage over bedrock for majority of its
area, exceptions being the western and southern boundaries which were under landfill.
However; to the limited archaeological evidence, the evaluation work was able to identify a partial area of flooring
towards the south eastern corner of the site; linked to a structure recorded on the earlier Ordnance Survey mapping
which, as aerial photography revealed, had been removed by 2004.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the watching brief was to preserve by record, within the resources available, any archaeological deposits
uncovered during groundwork.
The watching brief also ensured that: in the event of archaeological resources of significance, being discovered and
requiring treatment beyond the remit of the watching brief, that steps would be implemented to ensure that their
treatment would be undertaken within the standards recommended by the CIFA.
Watching Brief
The watching brief was undertaken over two days 24th & 25th of February 2015.
All excavation was undertaken by mechanical digger with the exception of some clearance work to the
paved/cobbled floor, for recording purposes.
The ground over most of the excavated portion of the site consisted mostly of rubble backfill/made up ground, as
was discovered in the previous evaluation (EV/Asg/13) and can be seen from the included photographs.
Initial recording
A record of the features and stratigraphy exposed during excavation was kept including written notes and
photographs.
Measurements were taken regularly using both tape and Leica Disto 510, laser measurement device.
All finds recovered were recorded to context and sealed in bags numbered with finds sequence and context.
5
Post Ex
Following the watching brief, the field notes and photographs were digitised to produce the context record of the
stratigraphy; Appendix 1, and an annotated list of the photographs, Appendix II.
All finds were individually processed; (washed, dried, catalogued and re-bagged), and then recorded in Appendix
III.
The three appendices; I Context, II Photographs and III Finds were cross referenced ready for inclusion in the
report.
This report was produced for the client, CCBC Planning and GGAT as well as archive copies for Glamorgan
Archive.
Watching Brief Results
Presentation Notes:
All contexts are denoted [#] in the text, listed in Appendix I, cross referenced in Appendix II, to the plates section.
Photographs used in the text are listed Pl # and a complete list of photographs can be found in appendix II with
contact sheets.
All finds denoted {#} in the text and are listed in Appendix III.
Excavation began in the south east corner of the site with two trenches at the lower corner, PL 01.
The purpose of the trenches was to provide a firm foundation for gabion baskets of stone from the site which would
act as retaining walls against which land fill could be deposited in order to raise the level of the ground by 1.8m.
The trench positions are shown in fig 03 the assigned TR numbers related to the digging sequence.
The section shown in PL 02 shows the limited stratigraphic sequence:
[100], 120mm of brown/grey sandy soil with coarse grass vegetation

[101], 200mm of dark grey silty sand with occasional rounded sandstone
[103], 450mm of orange sandy clay with occasional decayed angular sandstone.
There was a short run of electricity disused earth cable across the trench, with a yellow tape marker but its cut and
fill were indistinct.
Finds included plastic and glass bottles, a few bits of iron bar and some electricity insulators none of which were
retained.
On completion of the two trenches, work moved to the north east corner of the enclosure wall where a small
structure had been recorded in the evaluation survey, fig 02 & PL03
The internal space of the two corner walls had been filled with loose rubble blocks and these were initially removed
by hand by the archaeologist and the ecologist to reveal an accumulation of scrap metal, plastic and glass bottles and
a feeding ground for small mammals PL 04 & PL 05.
Again, no finds were retained.
Excavation then continued across the northern boundary removing the dry stone wall [116] and the underlying soils
[113], [102], [103] outer and [101], [102], [103] inner, PL 06.
The outer sequence [102] under the accumulated humic soil deposit [113] was quite sparse before [103] was reached
but this was not investigated to any great degree as it was outside of the planed excavation area.
A small assemblage of finds {1} was collected from the external wall accumulation [102].
At the north west corner was a 1 meter high section of mortared stone wall [104] with a blocked doorway PL 07 and
an inner return wall, PL 08; indicating a building structure as noted in the evaluation report EV/Asg/13.
6
The walls [104] were demolished and excavation was undertaken within the enclosed corner to ascertain if any floor
was present under the rubble land fill [101].
No recognisable floor was found and eventually the natural orange sandy clay [103] was reached at a depth of
around 900mm, PL 09 & PL 10.
Finds assemblage {3} was collected during this part of the work.
As the rubble, landfill now became of greater interest to the ecologist, excavation moved to the south east corner of
the site where the 2013 evaluation trenching had recorded a section of stone flooring; some of which had been left
uncovered awaiting further investigation, (EV/Asg/13 fig 04 & PL’s 08-11).
With care, the overburden of soil was removed by the mechanical digger to the east of the known area of stone
flooring, extending its coverage and revealing a lime mortared wall, fig 03.
At this point, the mechanical excavator was stopped and the surface was cleaned with a trowel revealing, a 2m
length of the lime mortared wall along the eastern edge of the stone flooring [104], PL 11 & PL 12, with a 3m x 2m
cobbled, pitched stone edged surface to the south [106], PL 13.
It was at this point that finds assemblage {4}; associated with the surface of the cobbled area, began to be revealed.
Whilst clearing of the cobbled surface was being undertaken, excavation of the landfill and wall along the western
side of the slope had continued and was at this point was reaching the south western section of existing enclosure
wall, [PL 14], and so work stopped on the cobbled area.
The south western section of existing enclosure wall had again been interpreted in EV/Asg/13 as part of the early
19th century enclosure wall and prior to demolition, it stood externally to around 1m, PL 15 with an internal height
of over 2m, PL 16, and entirely filled with land fill [101].
The wall was demolished and landfill removed producing no further significant archaeology other than finds
assemblage {5}.
Clearing resumed on the cobble surface extending the area from the south eastern wall [104], PL 17, to an eventual
8.5m, PL 18, which was seen to abut the 2013 evaluation findings, PL 19 & PL 20, fig 04.
The surface area was made up of different coverings probably indicative of their function although repair work
cannot be ruled out.
Referring to fig 04:
Area 1: Bottom left, PL 19, is the 2m x 1.25m area as recorded in the 2013 evaluation consisting of a lime
mortared wall [104], to the south and a possible step of rounded boulders to the east, [105]. To the
north, is an area of cement like substance, [108], forming a linear drainage channel, [115], PL 21, to
the west, where the surviving archaeology terminates. Internally the floor consists of flat stone
paving [106] with two patches of black ash mortar [107], PL 19.
Area 2: Top left is a 2m x 1m area of flooring made up of a black ash mortar, [107], PL 22, which has
weathered and cracked. Towards the south is the drainage channel, [115] in the cement like
substance, [108], PL 21, whilst to north and west the archaeology has not survived. Along the
eastern edge appears to be a wall of stone, [105], PL 23, similar to that in area 1 but not on
alignment; however, level with the rest of the flooring. The four stones to the north and one to the
south are higher which suggest a possible entrance, PL 20 .
Area 3: The central flooring area, 2.5m x 1m east of the possible door way is made up of a few large flat
stones, [106], PL 24, with a loose mortar deposit, [114], to the north. The southern edge has a single
line of vertical stones forming a linear and level edge [117], PL 20. Towards the east the flat laid
stones used, reduce in size eventually changing to the pitched stone of area 4, PL 24.
7
Area 4: The eastern flooring area, 3.5m x 2m is the best preserved and consists of two 1m wide linear panels
of pitched rounded stone, edged to the south with a single line of vertical flat stone and separated
with another line of vertical stone [117], PL 18. The northern edge of the area does not survive, if
one existed. The eastern end of this section of flooring abuts the north/south wall of the 1878
enclosure, [104]. This section of flooring has one other interesting feature to the south western end
where a 800mm wide down step has been created using two large linear and vertically placed stones
to form a right angled cut into the floor, with a third linear stone inserted into the line of cobbles
themselves, PL 25.
Area 5: The eastern wall was also cleared for just over 10m showing that it aligned to the north east
enclosure corner. It was also a construction on a slightly wider foundation base for the first 2.5m
reducing to a single width with and reduction in ground level Pl 26 & PL 27. The reduction in
ground depth coincided with the contour of the land and reduction in soil coverage above the
bedrock.
The intervening section of wall from the south east corner to the north east corner was not present but then there was
little to no ground cover above the outcropping bedrock on this side of the site.
The final part of the watching brief was undertaken on the ground levelling to the east corner, on the area of the
proposed driveway.
Some 10mm of surface, partial [100] and [102] was removed straight onto natural [103], Pl 28.
Finds
Assemblage {1} was mostly ceramic with a date typology from mid 18th to early 20th century and in keeping with
domestic/industrial period deposition.
Assemblage {2} ceramic & glass dated to late 18th to 19th century, again domestic/industrial.
Assemblage {3}, ceramic & glass dated to 19th century, again domestic/industrial.
Assemblage {4}, ceramic & glass dated to 19th century, again domestic/industrial.
Assemblage {5}, ceramic & glass dated to 18th to early 20th century, again domestic/industrial.
Interpretation
With the exception of the east side of the site and the portions of standing wall, the entire area would appear to have
been used as a dumping ground for rubble, which had been concentrated towards the western half of the site.
The depth of the landfill increased with the fall in contour of the ground, so presumably it had been undertaken as a
levelling exercise; possibly concluded from the evaluations study, in between the late 40s to 70s.
The eastern side of the site was for the most part exposed bedrock.
The north eastern small enclosure had been purposefully collapsed inwards possibly to stop and further interest in it,
The surviving floor area to the south east of the original enclosure was of interest and certainly worth recording but
unfortunately, its purpose remains unclear.
As the flooring area is below the intended ground infill and within the footprint of Plot 2 which is to be raised on a
1m raft, the archaeological resource will be retained intact under a plastic membrane.
There were no significant archaeological resources lost during this work but a small amount of detail was added to
the archaeological record of this site.
8
Staff
Dr. Neil Phillips, ACIFA.
Post ex
Mr A. O. Phillips.
Specialist services: (Ceramics). Mr S Clarke MCIFA
Archive:
The original archive for this project will remain with APAC Ltd.
A copy of the archive will be deposited with Gwent County Archive.
Finds were returned to the client
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Scott and Lee and their team for access to the site and for their expertise and professionalism. Thanks
also to Steve Clarke for his specialist ceramic advice and to Adam Phillips for processing the finds.
9
Bibliography and References:
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
APAC. Ltd. 2013. EV/Asg/13. Archaeological Evaluation. Land Adjacent to Carn-y-Tyla,

Abertysswg.
English Heritage Management of Archaeological Projects (1991).
Caerphilly County Borough

Council;
Previous application, Clients: Mr & Mrs Hudd.
05/05/2013 (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT). Application for outline Planning.

No 1 Existing Site layout. (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT).
No 3 Topographic survey (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT).
Clients: Mr & Mrs Harrison. Plot 1
13/Jan/2015. (pl.app.no 15/0025/FULL. Application Planning Permission.

10/March/2015. 15/0025/FULL. Permission for Development.
Location 12/01/2015. BW1-00390696. 15/0025.
Plans: Proposed 4 Bed Detached Dwelling Plot 1, Carn-y-Tyla Tce., Abertysswg.

Proposed Elevations. 1 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Ground Floor. 2 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed First Floor. 3 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Attic Floor. 4 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Site Block Plan 4 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Clients: Mr & Mrs Bowen. Plot 2
13/Jan/2015. (pl.app.no 15/0026/FULL. Application Planning Permission.

10/March/2015. 15/0026/FULL. Permission for Development.
Location 12/01/2015. BW1-00390696. 15/0026.
Plans: Proposed 4 Bed Detached Dwelling Plot 2, Carn-y-Tyla Tce., Abertysswg.

Proposed Elevations. 1 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Ground Floor. 2 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed First Floor. 3 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Attic Floor. 4 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
Proposed Site Block Plan 4 of 5. Drw No 20122014.
No 1 Existing Site layout. (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT).

No 3 Topographic survey (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT).
GGAT., CAE0293/JBHD Re Proposed Three Dwellings: Land South West of Carn-Y-Tyla, Terrace,
Abertysswg. Pl.App.No.:13/0157/OUT
Chartered Institute of
Archaeologists. Standard and Guidance Archaeological watching brief. 2014.
Code of Conduct. 2014.
10
Standard and Guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of
archaeological archives. 2014.
Standard and Guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and

research of archaeological materials. 2014.
Online:
British Geological Survey http://www.bgs.ac.uk/GeoIndex/

Google Earth http://www.google.co.uk/
Magic http://magic.defra.gov.uk/
The copyright for this report shall be retained by A.P.A.C. Ltd.
A.P.A.C. Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7RG.

Tel: 07734962919. Mobile: 07734962919 Email: apac.philips@btinternet.com
Company Registration No 5041541 VAT Reg No 826 3628 19
Director: Dr. N. Phillips D.Phil. M. Phil. BA (Hons).Cert Ed/FE. ACIFA.
11
Land SW of Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg
adapted from DC/13/0157/OUT Map data ©2015 Google
Fig 01: Location

A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/AWG/15
N
Ca
rn-Y-
Tyl
a Ter
13m rac
ence e
d ary F
Boun
12m
13m
Entrance
way
Plot 1 STN 3
11m
Evaluation trenches
EV/Asg/13
TR3 Proposed plots
nce Existing walls

Fe
Plot 2
y
ar
12m
u nd
Bo
1878 OS Enclosure
B ou
TR2
nda
TR1 10m 1m contour

ry F
STN 1
enc
0.2m contour
e
n ce
Fe
ry
11m
da
un
Adapted from:
Bo
Aapplication plans 15/0025/FULL & 15/0026/FULL
BW1 00390696.
10m 9m Ist Ed Ordnance Survey Glamorganshire 1878
EV/Asg/13. APAC/Ltd 2013
0 10 20 Bound
ary Fen
ce Contour survey A.P.A.C. ltd, 18/06/2013.
STN 1 at arbitrary height of 10m.
metres
Fig 02: Plot 1 & 2 positions and bounaries with overly of 200mm
contours, 1878 enclosure boundary, existing structures A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/AWG/15
and 2013 evaluation trenches.
N
Ca
rn-Y-
Tyl
a Ter
rac
ence e
d ary F
Boun
Entrance
way
Plot 1 STN 3
TR3 Proposed plots
nce Land raised

Fe
Plot 2
y
ar
nd Trenches for
u
Bo Gabion Baskets
B ou
TR2 Cobbled Surface

nda
TR1
ry F
STN 1 1878 OS Enclosure

enc
e
n ce
Fe
ry
da
un
Adapted from:
Bo
Aapplication plans 15/0025/FULL & 15/0026/FULL
BW1 00390696.
Ist Ed Ordnance Survey Glamorganshire 1878
0 10 20 Bound
ary Fen
ce Contour survey A.P.A.C. ltd, 18/06/2013.
STN 1 at arbitrary height of 10m.
metres
Fig 03: Plot 1 & 2 positions and bounaries with overlays:

1878 enclosure boundary, area of land to be raised, A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/AWG/15
trenches for Gabion Baskets and cobbled surface.
N
Area 3
Area 4
Area 2
Area 5
104 Lime mortar wall
105 Step/foundation
Area 1 106 Stone floor
107 Cement
108 Black ash mortar
114 orange clay/plaster
0 1
117
m
Figure 04: Plan south east floors

Land South West of Carn y tyla terrace, Abertysswg
DSC07692
24 10.08.31
Plate 01: Trenches 1 and 2. South west corner for the gabions Plate 02: Trenches 1 & 2 at corner. Contexts [100], [102], [103]
DSC07697
DSC07696
Plate 03: North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble filled building Plate 04: North east corner of enclosure
wall. Rubble removed by hand.
Parts of automobile and other iron work,
glass bottles, and modern plastics including ‘Dr Pepper’ bottle.
Not retained
Land South West of Carn y Tyla terrace Abertysswg
DSC07700
DSC07698
Plate 05: North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand Plate 06: Removal of northern boundary wall
DSC07695
DSC07694
Plate 07: North western wall showing blocked opening, detail view Plate 08: North corner of enclosure wall
with scale with internal return, Possible building
related to blocked opening in
photographs DSC07656, DSC07657 & DSC07694
Land South West of Carn y Tyla terrace, Abertysswg
DSC07716
DSC07702
Plate 09: Removal of western boundary wall Plate 10: Western boundary wall showing depth of foundation below
present landfill at approximately 900mm
DSC07705
DSC07704
Plate 11: SE corner and eastern boundary wall [104] in foreground Plate 12: View along remains of eastern
Cobbled surface [114] to rear enclosure wall
DSC07709
DSC07706
Plate 13: Pitched stone edging to cobbled surface along southern side Plate 14: South west enclosure wall prior to demolition.
DSC07712
DSC07710
Plate 15: South west enclosure wall prior to demolition external view Plate 16: South west enclosure wall
prior to demolition Internal view of
corner
25 15.55.09
DSCO7735
Plate 17: View along eastern enclosure wall with exposed cobble to the west Plate 18: Completed clearing of cobbles, paved A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/AWG/14
floor [106] and drain [115]
DSC07736
DSC04690
Plate 19: Photograph from EV/Asg/13 showing stone paved flooring. Plate 20: Cobbles right, paved area middle and building with drain
from evaluation EV/Asg/13 left.
DSC07731
DSC07733
Plate 21: Detail, scaled photographic sequence along Drain D2 Plate 22: Detail, scaled photographic
sequence along cobbles S7
DSC07729
DSC07730
Plate 23: Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles S6 Plate 24: Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles S5
25 15.55.33
DSC07714
Plate 25: Detail view of cobbled surface. Possible step Plate 26: Eastern boundary wall. Upper
course on lower foundation course.
Lime mortared
Land South West of Carn Y Tyla terrace, Abertysswg
GR 3
Plate 27: Recording the floor
GR 7
Plate 28: Southern end of site scraped to bedding plane A.P.A.C. Ltd WB/AWG/14
A.P.A.C. Ltd. Appendix I Context Sheet Index
Site: Abertywssg Grid Ref: Site No: Alternate No:

312640 205754 WB/AWG/15
CONTEXT AREA FEATURE DESCRIPTION FINDS PHOTOGRAPHS
100 Site Topsoil Grass and dark brown/grey sandy soil 24 10.08.31, 24 14.18.29,
25 16.00.44, DSC07689,
DSC07690, DSC07691,
DSC07692, DSC07694,
DSC07695, DSC07696,
DSC07697, DSC07698,
DSC07699, DSC07700,
DSC07701, DSC07702,
DSC07703, DSC07704,
DSC07705, DSC07706,
DSC07707, DSC07708,
DSC07709, DSC07710,
DSC07711, DSC07712,
DSC07712, DSC07715,
DSC07716,
101 Site Deposit Land fill, stone, clay, plastic 2, 5 25 11.16.54, 25 15.55.09,
25 15.55.33, 25 16.00.44,
DSC07690, DSC07691,
DSC07692, DSC07698,
DSC07699, DSC07700,
DSC07701, DSC07702,
DSC07703, DSC07704,
DSC07705, DSC07706,
DSC07707, DSC07708,
DSC07709, DSC07710,
DSC07711, DSC07712,
DSC07712, DSC07716,
DSC07735, DSC07736
102 Site Deposit Dark grey silty sand 1, 3 24 10.08.31, 25 11.16.54,
25 13.07.12, 25 15.54.55,
25 15.55.09, 25 15.57.48,
25 15.58.19, 25 15.58.40,
25 16.00.44, DSC07690,
DSC07691, DSC07692,
DSC07704, DSC07705,
DSC07706, DSC07707,
DSC07708, DSC07709,
DSC07710, DSC07711,
DSC07712, DSC07712,
DSC07715, DSC07716,
DSC07735, DSC07736
103 Site Natural Orange sandy clay, decayed sandstone 25 11.16.54, 25 15.56.42,
25 15.57.17, DSC07690,
DSC07691, DSC07703,
DSC07704, DSC07716,
DSC07736
104 Wall Feature Lime mortared wall 25 11.16.54, 25 13.07.12,
25 15.55.09, 25 15.55.33,
25 15.58.40, 25 15.58.46,
25 16.00.44, DSC07704,
DSC07705, DSC07706,
DSC07707, DSC07708,
DSC07709, DSC07710,
DSC07711, DSC07712,
DSC07713, DSC07716,
DSC07718, DSC07725,
DSC07730, DSC07731,
DSC07736
105 Floor Feature Foundation/base wall 25 13.07.12, 25 15.58.40,
DSC07715, DSC07732,
DSC07733, DSC07734,
DSC07735, DSC07736
CONTEXT AREA FEATURE DESCRIPTION FINDS PHOTOGRAPHS
106 Floor Feature Stone paving 4 25 11.16.54, 25 13.07.12,
25 15.54.55, 25 15.56.12,
25 15.56.18, 25 15.56.42,
25 15.56.49, 25 15.57.17,
25 15.57.23, 25 15.57.41,
25 15.57.48, 25 15.58.13,
25 15.58.19, 25 15.58.40,
25 15.58.46, 25 16.00.44,
DSC07706, DSC07707,
DSC07712, DSC07713,
DSC07715, DSC07718,
DSC07719, DSC07720,
DSC07721, DSC07722,
DSC07723, DSC07724,
DSC07726, DSC07727,
DSC07728, DSC07795,
DSC07730, DSC07735,
DSC07736
107 Floor Feature Black ash mortar 25 15.58.40, 25 15.58.46,
25 15.59.04, 25 15.59.08,
25 15.59.55, 25 16.00.14,
25 16.00.44, DSC07730,
DSC07731, DSC07732,
DSC07733, DSC07734,
DSC07736
108 Floor Feature Cement 25 15.59.04, 25 16.00.14
DSC07731, DSC07732,
DSC07733, DSC07734,
DSC07735, DSC07736
109 Floor Deposit Darker grey soil with granules of white lime 25 11.16.54, 25 15.55.09,
mortar 25 15.56.18, 25 15.56.49, ,
25 15.57.23, 25 15.57.41,
25 15.58.13, 25 15.58.40,
25 15.59.55, 25 16.00.14,
DSC07704, DSC07712,
DSC07715, DSC07718,
DSC07719, DSC07720,
DSC07721, DSC07722,
DSC07723, DSC07724,
DSC07735, DSC07736
112 Site Natural Sandstone bedrock DSC07671, DSC07736
113 Site Deposit Black humic soil 24 14.18.29, DSC07707,
DSC07709, DSC07710,
DSC07712,DSC07711,
DSC07712, DSC07715,
114 Floor Feature Lime plaster orange soil compacted 25 16.00.44, DSC07704,
DSC07705, DSC07706,
DSC07712, DSC07722
DSC07736
115 Floor Feature Drainage run formed in cement 25 15.59.04, 25 16.00.14,
25 16.00.44, , DSC07732,
DSC07733, DSC07734,
DSC07735, DSC07736
116 Wall Feature Dry stone Wall 24 14.18.29, 25 15.59.55,
DSC07656, DSC07657,
DSC07694, DSC07695,
DSC07696, DSC07697,
DSC07698, DSC07699,
DSC07700, DSC07701,
DSC07702, DSC07703,
117 Floor Feature Cobbles 25 15.54.55, 25 15.56.12,
25 15.56.18, 25 15.56.42,
25 15.56.49, 25 15.57.17,
25 15.57.23, 25 15.57.41,
25 15.57.48, DSC07706,
DSC07707, DSC07712,
DSC07713, DSC07715,
DSC07718, DSC07719,
DSC07720, DSC07721,
DSC07722, DSC07723,
DSC07726, DSC07727,
DSC07728, DSC07795,
A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix II Digital photograph list WB/AWG/14
Photo no Date Camera Size View Description Plate

24 10.08.31 24/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 SE Trenches 1 and 2. South west corner for the gabions PL 01
24 14.18.29 24/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 W North west corner, removal of the northern and western enclosure wall
25 11.16.54 25/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 N Flooring at SE of enclosure with eastern enclosure boundary wall
25 13.07.12 25/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 SE View along floor at south east end of enclosure
25 15.54.55 25/02/2015 SM N9005 3222x4128 W View along cobbled flooring, SE enclosure
25 15.55.09 25/02/2015 SM N9005 3222x4128 S View along eastern enclosure wall with exposed cobble to the west PL17
25 15.55.33 25/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 V Eastern boundary wall. Upper course on lower foundation course. Lime mortared PL 26
25 15.56.12 25/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 V Cobble sequence 1
25 16.00.44 25/02/2015 SM N9005 4128x3222 NE Frontispiece. Overview of exposed cobble surface. South east corner of former enclosure
DSC07656 29/01/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W North western wall showing blocked opening, detail view with scale
DSC07657 29/01/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W North western wall showing blocked opening, long view with scale
DSC07689 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W Position for trenches 1 & 2 for gabions, used to edge the proposed landscaping work. Prior to excavation.
DSC07690 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W Trench 1, contexts [100], [102], [103]
DSC07691 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 S Trench 1, contexts [100], [102], [103]
DSC07692 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 S Trenches 1 & 2 at corner. Contexts [100], [102], [103] PL 02
DSC07694 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W North western wall showing blocked opening, detail view with scale PL 07
DSC07695 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V North corner of enclosure wall with internal return, Possible building related to blocked opening in photographs DSC07656, DSC07657 & DSC07694 PL 08
DSC07696 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble filled building PL 03
DSC07697 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 E North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand. Parts of automobile and other iron work, glass bottles, and modern plastics including ‘Dr PL 04
Pepper’ bottle. Not retained
DSC07698 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand PL 05
DSC07699 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N North east corner of enclosure wall. Rubble removed by hand
DSC07700 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Removal of northern boundary wall PL 06
DSC07701 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Internal area of northern boundary wall excavated through [101] to [103]
DSC07702 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 S Removal of western boundary wall PL 09
DSC07703 24/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 S Removal of western boundary wall
DSC07704 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W SE corner and eastern boundary wall [104] in foreground Cobbled surface [114] to rear PL 11
DSC07705 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 SE View along remains of eastern enclosure wall PL 12
DSC07706 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Pitched stone edging to cobbled surface along southern side PL 13
DSC07707 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 E View along cobbled surface,
DSC07708 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 S South west enclosure corner. Ecologist investigating stone removal
A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix II Digital photograph list WB/AWG/14
DSC07709 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 W South west enclosure wall prior to demolition. PL 14
DSC07710 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N South west enclosure wall prior to demolition external view PL 15
DSC07711 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 NE South west enclosure wall prior to demolition external view of corner
DSC07712 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 SW South west enclosure wall prior to demolition Internal view of corner PL 16
DSC07713 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 E Overview of cobble surface during clearing
DSC07714 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail view of cobbled surface. Possible step PL 25
DSC07715 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 W Overview of cobble surface during clearing
DSC07716 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Western boundary wall showing depth of foundation below present landfill at approximately 900mm PL 10
DSC07717 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles N1
DSC07725 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles S1
DSC07729 19/09/2014 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along cobbles S5 PL 24
DSC07732 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along Drain D1
DSC07733 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along Drain D2 PL 21
DSC07734 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 V Detail, scaled photographic sequence along Drain D3
DSC07735 25/02/2015 DSC F828 2448x3264 W Completed clearing of cobbles, paved floor [106] and drain [115] PL 18
DSC07736 25/02/2015 DSC F828 3264x2448 N Cobbles right, paved area middle and building with drain from evaluation EV/Asg/13 left. PL 20
DSC04690 18/06/2013 DSC F828 18/06/2013 V Photograph from EV/Asg/13 showing stone paved flooring. PL 19
Clients Photographs
1 24/02/2015 1836x3264 V Ecologist. Endangered Species
2 25/02/2015 1836x3264 W Work in progress, clearing the step
3 25/02/2015 3264x1836 S Recording the floor PL 27
4 25/02/2015 3264x1836 S Recording the floor and clearing the spoil from on top of the drain
5 26/02/2015 3264x1836 S The levelled site
6 26/02/2015 3264x1836 S Building the site up
7 17/02/2105 3264x1836 SE Southern end of site scraped to bedding plane PL 28
A.P.A.C. Ltd Appendix 3 Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg
Finds Index WB/AWG/15
Find Area Context Description Period Date

no
1 102 2 sherds (refit) internally glazed earthenware pot rim Late 18th/19th 24/03/15
2 sherds (refit) yellow glazed stoneware plate/bowl
1 sherd white china
1 shard green glass bottle
1 corner sherd white glazed tile 20th
1 fragment black/blue slag
2 Top corner 101 1 sherd internally glazed earthenware Late 18th/19th 24/03/15
NE of building 1 sherd iron glazed stoneware teapot lid
1 sherd earthenware tile
1 sherd blue glazed stoneware pot
2 earthenware pot rims
1 sherd earthenware pot
1 large fragment of a glazed white stoneware Belfast sink 20th
3 West wall 101 8 sherds white china with blue decoration 19th 25/03/15
1 sherd bone china
1 sherd Dundee marmalade stoneware jar
1 sherd stoneware pot bottom
1 sherd glazed brown stoneware
1 stoneware bottle neck
1 sherd stoneware sewer pipe
2 sherds white china
1 sherd white china plate rim
4 114 1 sherd Pearl ware with blue scalloped edging 19th 25/03/15
1 metal fastening
1 half white salt glazed stoneware, half brown glazed stoneware pot bowl
2 sherds (refit) white china with blue designs pot/cup bottom
1 sherd stoneware tankard bottom. White glazed with blue design
1 clay pipe stem
1 sherd white china plate rim with blue designs
1 fragment iron ore
5 SW of building 101 1 sherd internally glazed earthenware Late 18th/19th 25/03/15
floor 1 sherd white china plate rim with blue rim including a thin line of gold lustre
on lip
2 sherds bone china 19th
1 sherd porcelain with diamond embossed patterning
1 sherd porcelain
1 sherd white china with embossed designed edging
1 sherd white china with blue design
1 sherd white china plate rim with red lip
1 sherd white china rim with black design around lip
1 sherd brown glazed bowl rim
1 shard aqua blue glass bottle bottom. Embossed text reads “& EVANS”
1 shard green glass bottle bottom
1 large fragment of telegraph wire insulation 20th
5
Pontrilas Appendix III FINDS
DSC07952
1

no
1 102 2 sherds (refit) internally glazed earthenware pot rim Late 18th/19th 24/03/15
2 sherds (refit) yellow glazed stoneware plate/bowl
1 sherd white china
1 shard green glass bottle
1 corner sherd white glazed tile 20th
1 fragment black/blue slag

DSC07953
2

no
2 Top corner 101 1 sherd internally glazed earthenware Late 18th/19th 24/03/15
NE of building 1 sherd iron glazed stoneware teapot lid
1 sherd earthenware tile
1 sherd blue glazed stoneware pot
2 earthenware pot rims
1 sherd earthenware pot
1 large fragment of a glazed white stoneware Belfast sink 20th

DSC07954
3

no
3 West wall 101 8 sherds white china with blue decoration 19th 25/03/15
1 sherd bone china
1 sherd Dundee marmalade stoneware jar
1 sherd stoneware pot bottom
1 sherd glazed brown stoneware
1 stoneware bottle neck
1 sherd stoneware sewer pipe
1 sherd white china plate rim

DSC07955
4

no
4 114 1 sherd Pearl ware with blue scalloped edging 19th 25/03/15
1 metal fastening
1 half white salt glazed stoneware, half brown glazed stoneware pot bowl
2 sherds (refit) white china with blue designs pot/cup bottom
1 sherd stoneware tankard bottom. White glazed with blue design
1 clay pipe stem
1 sherd white china plate rim with blue designs
1 fragment iron ore

DSC07956
5

no
5 SW of building 101 1 sherd internally glazed earthenware Late 18th/19th 25/03/15
floor 1 sherd white china plate rim with blue rim including a thin line of gold lustre
on lip
2 sherds bone china 19th
1 sherd porcelain with diamond embossed patterning
1 sherd porcelain
1 sherd white china with embossed designed edging
1 sherd white china with blue design
1 sherd white china plate rim with red lip
1 sherd white china rim with black design around lip
1 sherd brown glazed bowl rim
1 shard aqua blue glass bottle bottom. Embossed text reads “& EVANS”
1 shard green glass bottle bottom
1 large fragment of telegraph wire insulation 20th

138: Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Caerphilly. Watching Brief

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138: Carn y Tyla, Abertysswg, Caerphilly. Watching Brief

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DOCUMENT NO 265 March 2015

ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF

Land South West of Carn Y Tyla Terrace, Abertysswg

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Planning Applications: 15/0025/FUL & 15/0026/FUL

This document comprises the report of an archaeological watching brief

Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC), in accordance with the guidance

The current planning applications required the same conditions.

This document is the report resulting from the watching brief

Cover Photograph: SM-N9005. 2015-02-25 16.00.44.

Fig 01 Site location map.

PL 01 Trenches 1 and 2. South west corner for the gabions

Appendix I Context sheet

Both applications were granted permission with the original conditions.

Site Location and Description

Geology and Topography

Brief archaeological and historical background

Aims and Objectives

Watching Brief Results

The section shown in PL 02 shows the limited stratigraphic sequence:

[100], 120mm of brown/grey sandy soil with coarse grass vegetation

Again, no finds were retained.

Referring to fig 04:

Dr. Neil Phillips, ACIFA.

Specialist services: (Ceramics). Mr S Clarke MCIFA

A copy of the archive will be deposited with Gwent County Archive.

Finds were returned to the client

Bibliography and References:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

APAC. Ltd. 2013. EV/Asg/13. Archaeological Evaluation. Land Adjacent to Carn-y-Tyla,

English Heritage Management of Archaeological Projects (1991).

Caerphilly County Borough

Previous application, Clients: Mr & Mrs Hudd.

05/05/2013 (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT). Application for outline Planning.

Clients: Mr & Mrs Harrison. Plot 1

13/Jan/2015. (pl.app.no 15/0025/FULL. Application Planning Permission.

Plans: Proposed 4 Bed Detached Dwelling Plot 1, Carn-y-Tyla Tce., Abertysswg.

Clients: Mr & Mrs Bowen. Plot 2

13/Jan/2015. (pl.app.no 15/0026/FULL. Application Planning Permission.

Plans: Proposed 4 Bed Detached Dwelling Plot 2, Carn-y-Tyla Tce., Abertysswg.

No 1 Existing Site layout. (pl.app.no 13/0157(0UT).

Code of Conduct. 2014.

Standard and Guidance for the collection, documentation, conservation and

British Geological Survey http://www.bgs.ac.uk/GeoIndex/

The copyright for this report shall be retained by A.P.A.C. Ltd.

A.P.A.C. Registered Address: 36 Hatherleigh Rd, Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 7RG.

adapted from DC/13/0157/OUT Map data ©2015 Google

Fig 01: Location

TR3 Proposed plots

nce Existing walls

TR1 10m 1m contour

TR3 Proposed plots

nce Land raised

TR2 Cobbled Surface

STN 1 1878 OS Enclosure

Fig 03: Plot 1 & 2 positions and bounaries with overlays:

104 Lime mortar wall

Area 1 106 Stone floor

108 Black ash mortar

114 orange clay/plaster

Figure 04: Plan south east floors

Site: Abertywssg Grid Ref: Site No: Alternate No:

Photo no Date Camera Size View Description Plate

Find Area Context Description Period Date