In 1998-99, Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service, which provides the regional archaeological guidance in London, had its future confirmed as part of English Heritage's corporate responsibilities. The benefits to remaining with English Heritage, rather than being out-sourced to the prospective new London authority, have been demonstrated in the range of work and influence achieved over the last year.
The production of Capital Archaeology, a short summary of archaeological themes and strategies for Greater London has been a significant milestone. David Baker was commissioned to draft the paper under a small steering group, based at English Heritage. It is hoped that this paper addressed to elected members of local a central government and their officers will champion the value of archaeology as part of active sustainable regeneration programmes.
For the London boroughs GLAAS has been engaged in reviewing the archaeological components of their Unitary Development Plans. New Maps of Archaeological Priority Areas with detailed justifications have been completed this year for Sutton, Redbridge and Islington. Some formal training and guidance on archaeological matters has also been delivered as part of London Region's initiative to provide continuing professional development (CPD) for Conservation Officers and others form the London boroughs. Successful liaison with Thames Water Utilities Ltd has resulted in smooth effective provision of archaeological information on all major and emergency works.
In the first 3/4 of 1998-9 57,394 planning applications were presented to the London local authorities. 96% of these were monitored by English Heritage generating 840 case responses. Over the same period 271 pieces of archaeological work were monitored. These small pieces of work have contributed enormously to the understanding of the historic legacy of the Capital.
The Greater London Sites and Monuments Record (GLSMR) is embedded within GLAAS and provides a public service for all of London. This year a number of enhancement projects have taken place which have augmented the relatively comprehensive record of archaeological sites and listed buildings. GLSMR staff have undertaken a ground-breaking map-based analysis of the development and growth of the London suburbs to generate the interpretive maps which will be used to illustrate the London Suburbs. Further research was commissioned to define sites of quarries and landfill sites, London's rivers and streams and the sites of medieval villages to assist in the landscape interpretation of historic London. The GLSMR remains the major source of information for professional archaeologists working in London, the number of enquiries the SMR staff have processed from these and private individuals, local societies and the like has increased steadily and even at the 3/4 mark of the year shows a 10% increase on last year.
Various community projects were supported through the work of GLAAS this year including advice and financial assistance to include the results of historical and archaeological surveys into Deptford Creek: Surviving Regeneration and for the London borough of Lewisham to conserve archaeological material in a dangerously vulnerable state. Staff attended the numerous local society meetings to provide information to augment the quarterly GLSMR updates which are circulated more widely.
The strategic themes identified for London in Capital Archaeology are used here to present some details of 1998 archaeological work in London.
Analysing the past
Development work at the Tate Gallery, allowed the investigation of the early Victorian Millbank Penitentiary. The excavation explored the construction techniques of the building, designed by Smirke (engineer/architect), and provided a good insight into the layout of one of the largest prisons in the country in this period.
Agriculture & Subsistence
Continuing research of the development of Agriculture and Subsistence has taken place, with particularly interesting results for periods that are not easily visible in the archaeological record. Evidence of Roman settlement at Le Fevre Walk, Tower Hamlets, revealed occupation evidence from the Neolithic (ephemeral), Bronze Age, Late Iron Age, a complex and extensive drainage system apparently dating from the first century and 4th century field systems. As well as providing the first Neolithic evidence for the site, it added to the growing picture of Roman activity in Bow by providing further evidence of a large settlement on the high gravel plain overlooking the Lee Valley.
Continuity
Evidence showing the continuity of sites through successive periods sometimes show that new cultures took note of the existing landscape and utilised it, rather than altering it. This was illustrated by the work carried out at Imperial College Sports Ground, Hillingdon. Phase III of this project found evidence for the continuation of the Iron Age and Roman trackway through the settlement. A number of water holes were excavated with a Bronze Age wooden stave bucket, and a notched tree branch ladder in situ. Phase III, like Phase II has shown the late Iron Age to Roman reordering of the landscape.
In some cases continuity of occupation occurred on sites but making use of the landscape in very different ways. At Airport Gate Site, Bath Road, Hillingdon, a major Bronze Age boundary ditch was replaced, on a different orientation, by a subsequent Iron Age (relatively rare for the area) sub-rectangular enclosure with a western entrance. There is some evidence for a central sub-division dividing the enclosure in half, in one half of which is a small circular post built structure. In advance of gravel extraction at Fairlop Quarry, Redbridge further excavation of a multi period site was carried out showing a series of settlements and interposed field systems from the mid and late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. In addition a late Bronze Age ring ditch was found, backfilled with cremation pyre debris. This was sample excavated and then preserved in situ on an island within the gravel extraction site. Showing continuity of occupation through several periods on the gravel plain, this site is an example of the service's continuing negotiation work to ensure the preservation of prominent sites in the midst of industrial activity.
River & Estuary
The role of the Thames in the history of London as a transportation route, and for settlement purposes cannot be underestimated. This year has seen significant discoveries along the river's edge and it's tributaries, considerably enhancing the picture of the development and usage of London's major topographical landmark. Work at Atlas Wharf, Isle of Dogs in Tower Hamlets, in advance of residential riverside development revealed the remains of a timber structure (Carbon 14 analysis dates it to the late Bronze Age, 1270-1000 BC). It seems to have been a platform located at the edge of a channel running NW through the marsh to the river. Wood working debris, including 2 unique oak wood-splitting wedges were found in and around the platform suggesting that it may have been used as a working area by woodcutters exploiting the surrounding marsh. This is an unusual feature for the borough and shows further evidence of the exploitation of the marsh in the late Bronze Age period.
The principle medieval/post-medieval feature on this site was a timber reinforced earthen bank interpreted as the Marsh Wall, known from documentary sources. This is a rare find as 19th century industrial development removed much of the earlier river defences, leaving little evidence surviving on the Isle of Dogs, the feature provides significant further evidence of the river defences in this period.
Continuing excavations at Rammey Marsh in Enfield revealed a Bronze Age riverbank with a well preserved assemblage of animal bones and pottery debris from the adjacent settlement site. This is significant as very few Bronze Age bone assemblages have previously been identified in Greater London. Groups of wooden posts, in circular patterns, identified as possible fishtraps have also been preserved embedded in the riverbank. Later occupation is also shown at the river edge, in a series of double ditches and line of post holes interpreted as a substantial Roman stockade.
Medieval waterfront activity was investigated by work at Charter Quay in Kingston upon Thames, where a large scale excavation was carried out at the site of the medieval port and adjoining market. Work focused on the activities within the curtilage of a single property plot extending from the high street to the waterfront. In addition to the foundations and floors of buildings which formerly fronted the High Street, the work exposed a number of malting ovens in the rear yard. This work is a vivid demonstration of the influence of the medieval port and market on the modern urban form. The structure of Kingston's market place and the arrangement of alleys providing access to the water front are an obvious medieval legacy, which has left an indelible imprint on its modern arrangement.
Excavations at the Deptford Power Station site in Lewisham revealed important evidence of this historic stretch of river front. Key evidence of maritime activity included sequences of timber docks, slipways and revetments spanning the 17th to 19th centuries and re-used ship timbers, probably from East India Company trading ships. Construction sequences for almshouses for seamen's widows spanning the 16th to 18th centuries and associated artefact assemblages provided social insights (gin bottles stamped with name of local pub & landlord!). Information from the excavation improves understanding of the Creek/Thames riverside and helps focus attention on local historic character.
Work at Arundel House, 13-15 Arundel Street, in Westminster, found the possible remains of a Saxon waterfront structure which may represent the surviving remains of a jetty or a fish trap. Later evidence shows that a simple medieval piled jetty was situated in the north-west corner of the site . It consisted of 4 timber upright posts and two horizontal planks (late 12th-13th century). It seems that there were also two phases of Medieval river revetment in this area. A series of ground consolidation dumps had been deposited over the foreshore prior to construction. There were then several successive phases, the revetments being dismantled prior to the construction of later phases. In later periods, a Tudor brick river wall was located to the south of the Medieval river wall, the river side of the wall being constructed in stone. A series of drains which presumably drained into the river were spaced at regular intervals along the length of the wall. A 17th century addition to the Tudor wall, possibly a bastion or stairs and later repairs to the stone facing of the south side of the wall were recorded.
Somerset House in Westminster has perhaps one of the most distinguished river frontages in Westminster. Its conversion to house the Gilbert Collection of decorative arts has made it possible to investigate two important aspects of the site: the river wall and garden of the previous Tudor Somerset Palace, and the riverside range described as 'the King's bargehouse. The eastern of two spaces where there might have been internal slipways included an enormous well shaft and a furnace chamber. This is likely to have been a steam pump supplying water to the rest of the Georgian development. The central part of the 'bargehouse' was probably a wet dock, in which sailing barges were berthed, and the western arm showed evidence of the cast of a slipway.
The increased pace of work at the Millennium Exhibition Site has resulted in a variety of discoveries including fragments of 18th and 19th century timber sailing vessels, and earthen embankments representing early flood defences dating possibly from the 17th century or earlier. The work has provided the opportunity to study in greater detail than previously former stream channels, beneath metres of landfill, clay and peat deposits. Ephemeral evidence of early settlement has been found within these features, including fire cracked flint representing the pot boilers used in prehistoric cooking.
City, Hinterland and Region
Early settlement evidence in the City of London was found at Swan Street where excavations uncovered Prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and Post Medieval activity. The features included a variety of pits and ditches, reinforcing existing evidence of the city area as the main centre of occupation throughout history.
There have also been opportunities to extend previously excavated sites. At the Priory and Hospital of St Mary Spital (City) excavations (advised by the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Greater London) have begun on the outer precinct of this scheduled site revealing evidence of the post-dissolution use as the Artillery Ground and tenements associated with the Hospital. The excavation of the remaining cemetery area has also begun, the resulting archive of skeletal material is expected to be of international importance in the study of medieval diet, health and monastic studies. Of particular interest in the post-medieval levels was the construction of the late 17th century housing whose basements were built onto the contemporary ground level. The street level was then raised by 2-3 metres with what may be Great Fire debris. Excavations in Spring 1998 to the east of the Priory buildings revealed water storage constructions associated with the Priory.
At the site of the 1st and 2nd century Roman forum on Fenchurch Street in the City, development for a major retail outlet has enabled archaeologists to re-examine the findings from key hole interventions of 20 years ago. This examination has the potential to refine understanding of original building design decisions and methods.
At a number of locations along the London Wall small interventions have contributed to the history of the post Roman treatment of the City wall.
Throughout the city observations of quarry pits and cess pits have been recorded in order to maximise the understanding of the building of the city. The Medieval city ditch has also been recorded through the monitoring of pile holes.
Further work was conducted at the Covent Garden Piazza in Westminster, uncovering additional evidence of Lundenwic including buildings, yards and associated features. The sequence of Saxon and post medieval deposits recorded in the Heading Shaft illustrate many of the elements found during the main excavation. The Saxon sequence includes evidence for gravel yards, occupation and later refuse and cesspits in an open area within the settlement. The finds indicate both craft activities such as textile production (eg loomweights, threadpicker) and domestic occupation (eg cooking pots, animal bone and quernstone). The imported pottery further demonstrates a link between the settlement at Lundenwic and the continent. Excavations at St Catherine's House, 2 -18 Kingsway, in Westminster and Kingsway Hall at Queen Street in Camden have shown what appears to have been the extreme eastern periphery of the Lundenwic settlement. Features mainly consisted of pits, cut features, with some evidence of structures.
Personal and Communal Space
Advances were made in identifying the manner in which space was utilised in a variety of buildings, and work at Survey House, St Mary Cray in Bromley investigated standing and below ground evidence in order to inform a programme of conservation work to the 15th century timber framed building. This work was carried out by the local archaeological society.
At 74 South Audley Street, in Westminster a project was conducted to record, analyse produce a detailed chronology of the building fabric and interior decorative schemes. This terraced town house was built in 1736 by Edward Shepherd, altered in the 1830s and 1880s, and refronted by the Balfour and Turner in 1908. The roof construction was examined in detail and provided significant information regarding the techniques used in this type of high status Georgian building.
An archaeological investigation of late 17th and 18th century water and waste management, were conducted at 68 Dean Street in Westminster. Evidence of water supply, drainage, waste water and sewage disposal systems were found. The most interesting discovery was a cesspit located below the floor of the rear basement room which was connected with a privy, via a brick-built and tile lined shute. It originally had a domed top incorporating an opening to allow it to be emptied, on occasion, by nightsoil men. The investigation has provided valuable and detailed information on a structure which was once so common in London and is now incredibly rare. Virtually every house of a certain class, built from the early 17th to the early 19th century in the Cities of London and Westminster was provided with a cesspit and related sumps and soakaways. Almost all have been destroyed - usually when connections to the sewers were installed in the mid 19th century, or have been obscured by later works.
Ritual & Religion
Religion has mirrored many important historical events and changes in the past, playing an important role in the development of London as the city grew and changed.
Excavations at Bermondsey Abbey revealed further evidence of medieval masonry from the 11th century.
Excavations also took place within the precinct of the former Charterhouse in Islington. Evidence for pre religious activity began with quarrying in 12-13th centuries. The ground was then levelled off to build the charterhouse. Remains of one of the monastic ranges was found, springing off the precinct wall (which still stands to 3 metres in some places). The remains of 16th century walls and tiled yard surfaces were also recovered. The investigation has assisted in illustrating the re-use of the site after dissolution.
For prominent historical sites such as the Abbey at Barking, the surrounding landscape can yield interesting results regarding associated settlements. The Saxon origins of the Abbey are rare in London (foundation AD666) and therefore of great significance in studies of religious development in South East England.
Late Saxon and early medieval activity evident from an excavation in advance of retail development indicated further evidence of a possible lay settlement associated and contemporary with the Abbey, perhaps a trading port or 'wyche. Mid Saxon pottery (including stamped Ipswichware) was found, and the remains of deeply cut features and a series of ditches containing good animal bone assemblages were also uncovered. Further evidence of late Saxon and industrial activity in addition to the abbey is of particular interest in terms of the development of Barking.
Migration & Community
Work was carried out to inform on the development of the area of modern London. In many cases sites were well documented but with little archaeological evidence.
Excavations at 7-9 Islington Green in Islington uncovered the first substantial archaeological evidence for the medieval village. An early medieval cultivation soil was overlain by a series of building foundations, of two separate properties. They had beaten earth and clay soil floor surfaces, with evidence of hearths and ovens. Domestic assemblages and brick lined fireplaces were present in later phases, illustrating a long period of occupation from the 14th to 18th century.
Work at Croydon High St revealed a 16th century cellar and possible storage tank, as well as 13th century pits. The excavation has contributed to existing information about the history of the High Street as a topographic element in the landscape.
Industry & Industrialisation
The growing discipline of industrial archaeology, has assisted in building a clearer picture of London's industrial past. The site at Lambeth Bridge House, in Lambeth was the location of the Doulton drain pipe factory in the 19th century. A prominent company at the time, and representing the 19th century pottery industry which is not well represented by archaeological. Its redevelopment was therefore an unusual and welcome opportunity to investigate a site of this type (The remains of two principal kilns, ancillary buildings, flues and chimney base were recovered as well as moulds for the drain pipes). Much of the production process was represented archaeologically, providing useful information of this industrial process. The factory represented the last phase of industrial activity on the site, but follows in line with a history of pottery production in Lambeth.
London, Britain and The World
The theatres of London have been an important part of its history since the Tudor period, and in recent years investigations were carried out on two of the most famous examples, the Rose and the Globe. Accessibility to the public is the final stage of these investigations allowing the presentation of the results of archaeological research. At The Rose Theatre, a new monitoring system and concrete screed has been installed over the buried remains as part of the Rose Theatre Trust's presentation project. From April 1999 the site will be open to the public with a sound and light show telling the history of the Rose and Bankside. At The Globe Theatre site, the completion of the presentation scheme on site has allowed public access to a viewing area off Park Street with information boards and the location of the theatre remains marked out in the paved area. Continuing the theatrical theme, and useful as a future aid to development control, 1998 saw the completion of Tudor Theatres in London. This report written by Simon Blatherwick identified 23 sites of theatres and bear baiting pits. The information will be of assistance in ensuring an appropriate level of evaluation before development proposals are granted planning permission.
The Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site has been inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites. GLAAS contributed a statement regarding the archaeological potential of the site to the management and conservation plans, thus informing the future development and management of the site in terms of the importance of its archaeological heritage. Recent archaeological investigations in the area have demonstrated the variable quality of surviving archaeological remains. These remains include buried structures and deposits, extant earthworks and the fabric of historic buildings and structures. Many important aspects of the cultural development of the Greenwich Maritime World Heritage Site are not accessible without reference to the archaeological record, which is especially informative on the time depth, sequence and character of cultural events culminating in the present historic landscape. Archaeology is integral to the fabric of this unique historic landscape and reflect the aristocratic and maritime traditions synonymous with Greenwich.
