TVAS Update - Summer 2000

In the past year we have become a registered organisation of the IFA (Institute of Field Archaeologists).

Registered organisations must be led by experienced full Members of the Institute who have been responsible for substantial archaeological projects. They will also have undertaken to be bound by the IFA Code of Conduct.

Registered organisations are monitored annually for the quality of their work and must also re-apply annually for registration. TVAS are pleased to take part in these efforts to ensure archaeological standards and to maintain our client’s confidence both now and in the future.

A crucible (above) and alembic (below) found at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford

Anatomical finds at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
As part of the refurbishment and extension of the Museum of the History of Science (formerly the Ashmolean Museum, built in 1679–83) it was necessary to remove limestone paving slabs at the rear of the basement. We had already been appointed to carry out a programme of work at the Museum but, during the course of this, the discovery of human remains and earthenware vessels by the contractors led to a request for TVAS to excavate and record these deposits.

A rare collection of chemical apparatus (above) and anatomical specimens (right) was recovered. Research shows that these are probably derived from the clearing-out of the basement.

A number of the human bones are perhaps those of executed criminals, obtained for anatomy classes and recorded as part of the anatomy and dissection collection of the Ashmolean Museum and laboratory in the 17th and 18th centuries. Amongst the animal bones were exotic species, including the common American raccoon and African manatee (or sea cow).

Commissioned by Wilmott Dixon Housing Limited

Dog skull (above) and racoon jaws and legs (below).

Large rare collection of 18th century pottery found in Oxford
During an excavation on the site of an extension to Boots on Cornmarket Street, Oxford, we recovered over 1100 sherds of pottery, the bulk of which comprises a collection of late 18th century wares. This collection is apparently the result of a total clear-out of pottery from a single household, probably following the purchase of a completely new set.

This is one of the best groups of such pottery ever excavated in Oxford and allows a rare glimpse of a typical domestic pottery assemblage of this period.

The group includes porcelain tea-sets, Staffordshire stoneware teapots, mugs, plates, bowls and chamber-pots, chinese porcelain, and more utilitarian red earthenware storage and cooking vessels.

A collection of glass bottles (some with stamps) found with the pottery is currently being analysed.

An article about the collection, including illustrations, will be published in the near future.

Commissioned by Boots Properties PLC

The excavation in progress at Market Street, Oxford.

Bronze Age site on the Isle of Sheppey
Planning permission for the extraction of clay for a land fill site on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, included a condition for archaeological work.

The evaluation and excavation, both carried out in 1999, uncovered a ring-ditch (?levelled round barrow), gullies, pits and postholes. A second, adjacent excavation revealed similar features and a number of human cremation burials.

A bleak day on the Isle of Sheppey

The spearhead.

The Bronze Age pottery from the site includes a large near-complete vessel. Also found was a socketed spearhead, which still retains some of the original wooden haft made from ash – a rare occurrence from this kind of site. Radiocarbon dating of the wood may help to determine the age of the spearhead - but it is likely to be Bronze Age (i.e. over 3000 years old).

Horse burial and other late Saxon and Medieval finds - Mitcham, Surrey
In 1996 we carried out an evaluation on land at Church Road, Mitcham, which was subject to development proposals for the construction of a new vicarage and other housing. The evaluation was necessary because of the site’s proximity to a high status Medieval house and chapel (200m to the east) and a major Anglo-Saxon cemetery (400m to the south). Roman, Saxon and Medieval deposits had also been found close by.

The horse after excavation.

A plan of the horse. Note the horseshoes.

The evaluation trenches located a number of late Saxon/early Medieval ditches and a post- Medieval pit. The skull of a horse protruded from the baulk of one trench, apparently still connected to the spine.

A follow-up excavation, not carried out until March this year, revealed more of the late Saxon/ Medieval ditches and pits. The complete horse skeleton, which lay in a post-Medieval pit, was fully excavated. It is currently being analysed by our regular animal bone specialist, together with some horseshoes also found on the site.

Commissioned by Biscoe Craig Hall on behalf of the Diocese of Southwark and WT Homes

Excavation reveals Benson’s history
Benson, Oxfordshire, is known to have been occupied from at least the Roman period and documentary sources mention a Saxon royal vill. For this reason, an evaluation was carried out on a new housing site at the junction of St Helen’s Avenue and Church Road. This revealed both Prehistoric and Saxon deposits.

Excavating an Iron Age pot.

Roman road found at Pucklechurch, Bristol
The projected course of a Roman road ran through the middle of a proposed landfill site at a quarry at Shortwood, Pucklechurch. This, together with the possibility of discovering deposits associated with the coal extraction industry, prompted an evaluation of the site.

The evaluation did not reveal evidence for coal extraction but did locate a section of the Roman road. This may be part of the Roman route running from the lead mining areas of the Mendips through Bath to Cirencester.

Commissioned by Wardell Armstrong on behalf of Parkhill Reclamation Ltd

A section of the Roman road.