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Contents Page
Summary................................................................................................................................................... 3
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................... 4
Copyright Notice ...................................................................................................................................... 4
1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Assessment Method........................................................................................................................... 4
3 Existing Conditions........................................................................................................................... 5
4 Results of Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 6
5 Assessment of Potential .................................................................................................................. 12
6 Archaeological Background ........................................................................................................... 13
7 Recommendations........................................................................................................................... 19
Appendix 1: Sources Consulted .......................................................................................................... 20
List of tables
List of figures
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
investigation be instigated. Given that the portion of the site most likely to contain structural
remains has already undergone extensive geophysical survey, with largely negative results, it
is recommended that the programme comprise stage 3 works; archaeological evaluation.
Acknowledgements
The author and Jo Mackintosh BA undertook the research for this project. The author is
grateful to Adrian Lewis of Lewis Lewis Ltd., Louis Chicot of Louis Chicot Associates, Neil
Maylan and Charles Hill of GGAT Curatorial Division, Dr Paul Graves-Brown the Regional
SMR Officer, Dr Mike Yates and Dr Leslie Zienkiewicz of Cadw, Geoffrey Mein, John
Sorrell, Adam Gwilt and Philip Macdonald of the National Museum of Wales, Julie Reynolds
of Caerleon Legionary Museum, Dr Tim Young, and the staffs of the National Monuments
Record, Newport Reference Library and the Central Registry of Air Photography for Wales,
for their help in the completion of this project.
Copyright Notice
1 Introduction
The Welsh Rugby Union, through their agents, Lewis Lewis Ltd, have submitted a planning
application to Newport Borough Council (99/0013F) to construct a centre of excellence on
land at Bulmore, near Caerleon, Monmouthshire, (NGR ST 353 914, fig 1). In response to a
brief prepared by the archaeological advisors to the local authority (GGAT Curatorial
Division), Lewis Lewis Ltd have commissioned GGAT Contracts to undertake a desk-based
assessment of the proposed site. This will form stage 1 of an assessment strategy, to be
followed by Geophysical Survey and Archaeological Evaluation as appropriate.
2 Assessment Method
2.1 The assessment examined SMR and NMR records, 1st Edition Ordnance survey maps, Tithe
and estate surveys, contemporary published accounts, antiquarian histories, regional and
period studies, landscape studies, and the aerial photographic collections held by the National
Assembly for Wales and by John Sorrell. A walkover survey of the site was undertaken and
people with local knowledge of the archaeology of the area were consulted. Manorial and
estate papers and deeds and wills were examined using secondary sources, especially
Bradney. 1 The sources examined are summarised in Appendix 1
2.2 New sites were assigned SMR PRNs during the project, numbering from 07631g to 07641g,
07645g to 07648g and 07650 to 07654g inclusive. These were then plotted on digitised maps
of the area using AutoCAD and MapInfo GIS system.
2.3 The archaeological sites within the study area are categorised in accordance with the criteria
set out in the “Archaeological Response to the Trunk Road Programme” supplement in Wales
to the Department of Transport/Welsh Office /Scottish Office DMRB Vol. 11 Section 3 Part 2.
1
J. A. Bradney 1929-1932 A History of Monmouthshire: Volume 4; the Hundred of Usk, p305-6. South Wales Record
Society.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
The assessment of the importance of individual sites is essentially a subjective exercise based
upon the experience of the author in consultation with colleagues. The importance of certain
sites will be implied by their status within the statutory framework. Scheduled Ancient
Monuments will always be of national importance, listed buildings will be of at least regional
importance. Values assigned to other sites will be assigned both in relation to their individual
importance and to their context within the wider landscape.
3 Existing Conditions
3.1 The site is located at Little Bulmore Farm, some 1.5km to the northeast of the town of
Caerleon. The northwestern part of the assessment area, to the north of Bulmore Road, lies on
the alluvial flood plain of the River Usk. The landscape here is flat and comprises reclaimed
floodplain drained by field ditches and protected from flooding by banks along the river. To
the south of Bulmore Road the land rises sharply towards Mount St Albans and Chepstow
Hill.
3.2 The soils on the floodplain of the Usk are of the Wallasea 2 series, described as: “Deep
stoneless clayey soils, calcareous in places. Some deep calcareous silty soils”. 2 The soils on
the slopes of Chepstow Hill are of the Eardiston 2 series, described as: “Well drained reddish
coarse loamy soils over sandstone. Shallow in places, steep slopes and bare rock locally”. 3
The bedrock in the area comprises Devonian and Permo-Triassic sandstones.
3.3 The River Usk itself is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, although this does not
extend beyond the riverbanks.
3.4 One Scheduled Ancient Monument is present in the survey area. This is the Roman settlement
at Great Bulmore, (SAM Mm176, PRNs 00430g and 04058g), whose western limits impinge
upon the eastern part of the survey area adjacent to Bulmore Road (fig 2). Consent from the
Welsh National Assembly is needed for any works affecting this area under the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979. Works affecting the setting of the
Monument are covered by Planning Policy Guidance Wales 4 and Welsh Office Circular
60/96. 5 PPG Wales states that:
Prior consent from the National Assembly for Wales will be needed for any works affecting
the monument.
3.5 Little Bulmore Farm (PRN 00396g) is a grade 2 listed building. Specific consent from the
Local Planning Authority and/or National Assembly for Wales is needed for any works
affecting this structure.
3.6 The Vale of Usk has been examined as part of the Landmap Project, which characterises the
landscape as having a high intrinsic value, although of declining integrity. 6
2
SSEW 1983 Soils of England and Wales. Sheet 2; Wales. Harpenden, Herts.
3
ibid
4
Paragraph 5.7.1
5
Paragraph 10
6
GGAT 1998 Landscapes: Working for Newport; Historical Aspects. Unpublished report.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
3.7 The site was visited on Tuesday 10th August 1999. The majority of the site was under grass,
either as pasture or for hay. The steeper slopes of Mount St Albans were wooded or
overgrown with bracken. Six new sites were identified during the walkover survey; these are
described in section 4.3 below.
4 Results of Assessment
4.1 Eight previously identified archaeological sites are present within the survey area. These are
summarised in table 1 and fig 2. Two sites within the assessment area (00396g, 00430g and
04058g) have been given statutory protection and their degree of importance is thus implied
(see 2.3 above). Of the other sites listed, several mark sites of Roman activity (00397g,
00398g, 00429g, 01016.0g, 03077.0g and 04286g). These sites are known from discoveries,
which have taken place over last two hundred years, and often the details of their unearthing
are unclear. In general, any substantial Roman structure (buildings, roads etc), can be
considered to be of at least regional importance, although in some cases the actual nature of
the discovery is unclear and the importance of the site remains unassessed, resulting in a value
of U. The sites of individual burials (e.g. sites 00429g and possibly 00398g), which have been
excavated are of themselves of little importance. However, the presence of one burial may
imply the existence of more within the immediate vicinity, thus a value of U is assigned to
these sites. Individual findspots (e.g. 04296g) and post-medieval barns (03909g), are not
unexpected or uncommon in this landscape and are assigned a corresponding value (C and/or
D).
4.1.1 The present structure of Little Bulmore farmhouse (00396g) is dated to approximately
1630AD and is part of what the RCAHMW describe as regional house type B; chimney-
backing-on-the-entry and outside cross-passage. 7 These types of structures were relatively
common in South Wales. It is probable that the surviving unit, like others of this type, was
attached to a medieval hall, now destroyed. 8 The farm complex also includes a 17th Century
barn, both buildings are listed at grade 2. It is possible that the cowshed adjacent to the
farmhouse marks the site of an earlier building. 9
7
P. Smith Houses of the Welsh Countryside, map 29. RCAHMW. Aberystwyth.
8
Fox and Raglan 1954 Monmouthshire Houses: Part III: Renaissance Houses, p70. NMW. Cardiff.
9
NMR PRNs 36961 and 45037.
Page 6
192000°N
00650G 00430G
04921G
03662G
00395G
334500°E
336500°E
n 00429G
04286G 03723G
00397G
00432G 02994G 00396G
00431G 00398G
00399G
00436G 03750G
03909G
05348g 05347g
01016.1w
0 0.2 0.4
00427G
03077.0g
Kilometers
190500°N
4.1.2 PRNs 00397g and 00398g refer to the same structure. Archdeacon Coxe records that;
It seems likely that the structure described is a mausoleum. The relief described 11 is a
tombstone depicting a man and child, whose head is the ‘globe’ described by Coxe. 12 The
figure probably dates from the second or third century.
4.1.3 A workman uprooting a tree at Little Bulmore Farm discovered a glass vessel of Roman date
containing a cremation. Also nearby were the remains of further cremations, although not
accompanied by grave goods 13 (PRN 00429g).
4.1.4 Great Bulmore is the site of a Roman settlement (PRNs 00430g and 04058g). This was first
realised in 1815 with the discovery of a large masonry building incorporating re-used
tombstones, 14 eight tombstones had been trimmed and placed facedown, with signs of wear on
the backs. In 1975, excavations were conducted by Dr Blaise Vyner to the north of Great
Bulmore, uncovering a substantial multi-phase masonry building, whose later phases extended
over the top of the Roman road from Usk to Caerleon, (see 03077.0g above). Again the
structure incorporated a re-used tombstone. Excavations conducted by Dr David Zienkiewicz
of Caerleon Legionary Museum in the early and mid 1980s demonstrated that an extensive
10
W. Coxe 1801 An Historical Tour in Monmouthshire, p120-121. Reprinted 1995, Merton Priory Press.
11
See front cover.
12
R. Brewer 1986 Corpus Signorum Imperii Romanii: Great Britain, vol 1, Fascicule 5; Wales. No. 19 OUP.
13
J. H. Lee 1862 Isca Silurum, p48, fig 27.1. Longman, Green, Longmans and Roberts, London.
14
J. H. Lee ibid, p131.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
Roman settlement existed at Great Bulmore. 15 Sixteen masonry buildings were identified as
well as a number of inhumations and some medieval features. 16 A geophysical survey
conducted in 1984 demonstrated that archaeological remains extended to the south of Great
Bulmore into the survey area, although a small area surveyed immediately west of Little
Bulmore Farm, failed to identify any archaeological features. 17
4.1.5 Catsash Road marks the approximate position of the Roman Road between Caerleon and
Caerwent. Excavations have shown this road to be 6m in width and comprise several layers of
metalling and foundations, built on a terrace cut into the hillside, no side ditches were
present. 18
4.1.6 Bulmore Road roughly follows the line of the Roman Road from Caerleon to Usk (PRN
03077.0g). This is part of iter XII as listed in the Antonine Itineraries; the route from
Viriconium (Wroxeter) to Muridonum (Carmarthen). 19 Excavations to the north of Bulmore
have shown this road comprised a metalled surface 7m in width, constructed on a terrace cut
into the hillside, although there were no side ditches. 20
4.1.7 A barn situated in the southwest of the assessment area is shown on the Christchurch tithe map
(PRN 03909g).
4.1.8 An iron pilum (Roman javelin head) of the pyramidal type was found approximately ¼ mile
southeast of Bulmore House, (PRN 04286g). This find is unsurprising given the proximity to
the Roman settlement at Great Bulmore.
4.2 In addition four sites are located to the nearest kilometre and may lie within the survey area.
These are summarised in Table 2. These all represent burials, and although themselves have
been removed or were found away from their original location, imply the existence of further
burials within the area. Thus a value of U has been assigned.
4.2.1 A tombstone initially uncovered at the end of the 19th Century, probably at Little Bulmore
Farm, rediscovered in 1939 at Woodville, a house on the farm (PRN 00431g). Dedicated to
Titus Flavius Candidus, a soldier of Legio II Augusta, based at Caerleon. 21
4.2.2 A fragment from the lower portion of an oolitic limestone tombstone, found during the 19th
Century supporting the font at Kemys church, although it probably originates from the
Bulmore area (PRN 00432g). Dedicated to a M. Genalialis, formerly the standard bearer of
Legio II Augusta, based at Caerleon. 22
4.2.3 PRN 00436g is a number assigned to the burials found east of Bulmore Road recorded on an
OS record card, north of the suburb of ultra pontem, on the slopes overlooking the River Usk.
It includes a number of burials, which have also been assigned individual numbers, which are
described above, (PRNs 00429g, 00431g, and 00432g). These burials represent an extensive
Roman military and civil cemetery, comprising mainly cremation burials of varying degrees of
elaboration, including those contained in burial vaults with inscribed dedications and statuary.
Also included is the discovery of a tessellated pavement.
15
D. Zienkiewicz 1985 “Excavations at Caerleon and Great Bulmore 1984”. GGAT Annual Report 1983-4 Part 2, p2-30.
GGAT, Swansea.
16
B. E. Vyner 1978 “Excavations at Great Bulmore, Near Caerleon”. Cambrian Archaeological Association; Monographs
and Collections. Vol. 1, p25-34.
17
P. Glover and J. Oetgen 1984 A Resistivity Survey at Bulmore, Gwent. Unpublished report.
18
A. G. Marvell and A. Yates 1996 “Catsash Road” in Archaeology in Wales 1997 37, p76.
19
A. L. F Rivet and C. Smith 1979 The Place Names of Roman Britain, p173-4. Batsford, London.
20
A. G. Marvell 1996 “Celtic Manor Golf Course”. Archaeology in Wales 1996 36, p 74-5 and D. Maynard 1996
Archaeological Field Evaluation: Celtic Manor Golf Course No. 3. GGAT report 96/016.
21
R. G. Collingwood and R. P. Wright 1965 The Roman Inscriptions of Britain, p121, No 357.
22
ibid, p124, No 367.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
4.2.4 PRN 02994g refers to a bathstone sculpture of Roman date, and is probably a duplicate record
for a sculpture found to the north of Great Bulmore which has been mislocated, (PRN 2309g).
4.3 In addition to the sites described above, twenty ‘new’ sites were identified by the assessment.
These are summarised in table 3 and fig 3. The bulk of these sites are of unknown importance
and so have been assigned a value of U. A modern (Second World War) pillbox (07632g) is
not an uncommon feature in the Usk valley, although its location next to a farm is slightly
unusual, and so is at best of local importance. Other sites identified include post-medieval
landscape and agricultural features (eg 07638g, 07645g, 07646g, and 07647g), only one of
which (07637g) can be said to be of more than low or local importance.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
192000°N
07637g
07636g
07639g
07646g
334500°E
336000°E
336500°E
07653g
07654g
07641g
07632g
07631g
07645g
07633g
07635g
07648g
07650g
07647g
07634g 0 0.2 0.4
190500°N Kilometers
4.3.1 A trackway leading from Catsash Road to Bulmore Road is shown on the 1758 Van Estate
map of Little Bulmore Farm, but has been replaced by the present access to Little Bulmore
Farm by the time the tithe map has been surveyed (07631g), and now only the southernmost
few metres survive near Catsash House. The route starts at Bulmore Road, from whence it
proceeds southwards along the western side of a shallow valley, here it is terraced into the
sharply sloping hillside, cut into the bedrock on its upslope side, and is approximately 3-5m in
width. It turns to the southwest and proceeds uphill at an angle to the slope as a hollow way.
At site 07633g it turns again to the southeast along the base of a steep slope, again as a terrace
up to 5m wide, cut into the bedrock, and carries on to Catsash Road. Given the Roman
provenance of both Catsash and Bulmore Roads, a similar date for this track cannot be
completely ruled out.
4.3.2 A small half-hexagonal pillbox built onto the front of a retaining wall at Little Bulmore Farm
was seen during the walkover survey, (07632g). This is constructed from brick with a
concrete roof. Two loopholes pierce each long wall, but there was no sign of an entrance.
This may have formed part of the Usk Valley Stop Line. 23
4.3.3 Where the track 07631g turns to the southeast an area of rough cobbling is visible (07633g).
Also present is the remains of a small box drain.
4.3.4 A dam has been built across the stream (07634g), which runs down from Catsash House past
Little Bulmore Farm. This is constructed from substantial pieces of shaped stone and is
measures approximately 3m in width by 2m high. A small archway pierces its lower western
corner, presumably for a sluice, although the area behind the dam is now completely silted up
and the water flows over its top. A small track leads of to the east to site 07635g.
4.3.5 Site 07635g comprises a small platform terraced into the hillside. This is ovoid in shape and
measures approximately 4m by 5m.
4.3.6 Site 07636g comprises a substantial bank crossing a field. This is shown as a field boundary
on the Tithe and 1st Edition OS surveys, but its size makes it remarkable. It is approximately
5m in width and at its southern end it is 0.6m in height, lowering to 0.3m at its northern end.
23
N. I. Redfern 1998 Twentieth Century Fortifications in the United Kingdom. Vol 2, p91. CBA .
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
4.3.7 The hedgerow between the Usk and Great Bulmore (07637g); marks part of the parish
boundary between Christchurch and Kemeys as well as the boundary between the Hundreds of
Caldicot and Usk. As such it should be considered an historic landscape feature.
4.3.8 Two concrete covered cisterns have been constructed to collect run-off water from Mount St
Albans, (07638g).
4.3.9 A Roman tile was recovered in 1989 in the spoil from the cutting of a new driveway at Little
Bulmore Farm, (07639g). 24
4.3.10 During earthmoving at Little Bulmore Farm traces of walling were uncovered and fragments
of Roman legionary style tegulae were recovered from the spoil, (07640g). 25
4.3.11 A magnetometer and resistivity survey was conducted by Dr Tim Young and Philip
Macdonald of the National Museum of Wales in the fields to the south of Bulmore Road, to
the west of the scheduled area. Preliminary results from the westernmost field surveyed
indicate the presence of a possible anomaly, (07641g). 26 No other archaeological features
have yet to be identified at this stage.
4.3.12 A terraced earthwork is visible on aerial photographs 27 leading up the hill to site PRN 03909g
(PRN 07645g). This almost certainly represents a trackway.
4.3.13 A very straight linear earthwork, predating some of the existing drainage grips, is present on
the floodplain of the Usk on aerial photographs. 28 This almost certainly represents an earlier
phase of the drainage regime.
4.3.14 A sinuous earthwork visible on aerial photographs 29 is a field boundary present on the 1758
Van Estate plan (PRN 07647g).
4.3.15 Immediately upslope of 07647g is a terraced are which may represent a possible building
platform visible on aerial photographs. 30
4.3.16 A possible building platform is visible on aerial photographs, 31 shaped like an elongated
semicircle, with its long axis north-south, measuring approximately 30m (PRN 07650g).
4.3.17 A rectangular earthwork visible on aerial photographs 32 may represent the remains of a
building (PRN 07651g). This is aligned approximately east-west, and measures
approximately 20m by 10m.
4.3.18 Leading north from PRN 07651g is a linear earthwork feature, seen on aerial photographs 33
(PRN 07652g).
4.3.19 Visible on aerial photographs, 34 an L-shaped linear soilmark may represent a ditch (PRN
07653g).
4.3.20 A resistivity anomaly picked up during geophysical survey, 35 almost certainly represents
bedrock but has a suspiciously rectilinear shape.
24
D. Zienkiewicz unpublished notes, P. Macdonald pers com
25
ibid
26
P. Macdonald pers com
27
Aerial photograph taken by John Sorrell.
28
Aerial photograph taken by John Sorrell.
29
Aerial photograph taken by John Sorrell.
30
Aerial photograph taken by John Sorrell.
31
58 RAF 5154.
32
Geonex H010.
33
ibid
34
58 RAF 676.
35
T. Young pers com
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
5 Assessment of Potential
192000°N
Very
Area of lower High
High
potential
334500°E
Medium
High
Area of lower
potential
Medium
0 0.2 0.4
190500°N Kilometers
5.1 In addition to the sites positively identified by the assessment, areas of greater or lesser
archaeological potential can be identified, (fig 4).
5.2 Areas of high potential comprise the northeastern part of the assessment area adjoining the
Scheduled Ancient Monument of Great Bulmore, the part of the assessment area adjoining
Bulmore Road, especially the slopes immediately to the south of the road, the area of Little
Bulmore Farm, and the area adjacent to Catsash Road. Archaeological features that may exist
in these areas include buildings associated with the Great Bulmore Settlement, roads, features
along the Roman river frontage (quays, jetties, wharves etc), and burials.
5.3 The remainder of the site still possesses the potential for archaeological remains to be present,
but to a lesser degree. It is possible that waterlogged remains survive on the flood plain of the
Usk and that burials may occur elsewhere within the assessment area.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
6 Archaeological Background
6.1 Prehistoric
6.1.1 There are no Prehistoric sites within the vicinity of the assessment area. The nearest sites of
significance are the enclosures at Pen-toppen-ash; a complex of three adjoining enclosures,
two of which are thought to be prehistoric in date, (PRNs 00414g, 00415g, NGR ST 378 915).
6.1.2 During the construction of phase 2 of the Celtic Manor golfing complex a Bronze Age
cremation urn was uncovered. This is not accurately located, but probably came from the
ridge along which Catsash Road runs. 36
36
NPTMG:96.25, Bob Trett pers com.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
6.2 Roman
6.2.1 The major Roman site in the vicinity is the legionary fortress at Caerleon. This was
established in approximately 75AD as a base for Legio II and remained occupied until at least
the late 3rd Century. The fortress itself served as an operational base for the Legion, with its
full fighting strength of approximately 5000 men, although not all would have been present at
the same time. In addition there would have been large numbers of auxiliary troops and
support staff to keep the legion functioning. Around the fortress itself there grew up a civil
settlement extending to the south, west and north of the fortifications.
6.2.2 A series of smaller military earthworks are also present in the surrounding area. These include
marching and practice camps constructed on exercise and smaller garrison forts. The nearest
examples to the assessment area are at Priory Wood, (PRNs 00426g and 05437g), Pen-toppen-
ash, (PRN 00416g, NGR 380 916) and Kemeys Folly, (PRN 03293g, NGR ST 384 921).
6.2.3 The east bank of the Usk was dominated by the military cemeteries, which overlooked the
River valley and the Caerleon-Usk road. The presence of burials within the assessment area is
well attested by the finds described above in section 4. Other burial sites in the immediate
vicinity include sites 00427g, 02309g and 03662g. It is probable that the burials represented
by 00427g extend into the southwestern part of the assessment area.
6.2.4 Some 1.5km along the Usk road from Caerleon a small settlement at Bulmore was established.
This is briefly described above in section 4.1.7, but also includes sites 04908g and 04921g.
6.2.5 It is likely that a number of farmsteads were also present, either resulting from a continuation
of Iron Age settlement patterns or from new establishments. Such a site is postulated for
Abernant Farm, 1.5km northeast of the assessment area; a site that has also produced funerary
remains and evidence of industrial activity. 37
6.2.6 During a watching brief on the construction of Phase 3 of the Celtic Manor golfing complex, a
Roman pottery kiln was discovered. This produced mortaria (food preparation vessels) and a
variety of vessel types in “Caerleon Ware” and imitation black-burnished fabrics and was
dated to the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD. 38
6.3 Medieval
6.3.1 There are several significant sites of medieval date in the vicinity. These can be divided into
two broad categories, civil and ecclesiastical.
6.3.2 The civil authority in the area was the marcher lordship of Caerleon; the assessment area
formed part of the Manor of Coldra and lay within the southern commote of Llefnydd. 39 The
only civil site in the immediate area is Sor Mill (PRN 00659g), although it is probable that
occupation of the site at Coldrey (Coldra) extends back into the medieval period. 40
37
A. G. Mein 1997 “Abernant Farm” in Archaeology in Wales 1997, 37, p71.
38
A. G. Marvell ibid.
39
K. Blockley and P. Courtenay 1994 “Langstone Court Motte, Monmouthshire: Excavations by Leslie Alcock” in
Archaeology in Wales 1994, 34, p17-29.
40
W. Rees 1932 Map of South Wales and the Border in the Fourteenth Century. Ordnance Survey, Southampton.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
6.4.4 The present Catsash House was constructed between 1840 and 1881, when it appears on the 1st
Edition OS map. It was originally called Woodville, (PRN 05348g).
6.4.5 The Van Estate map of Little Bulmore Farm surveyed in 1758 shows the field pattern, with a
few exceptions, to be essentially the same as seen today, (fig 5). The field names are
uninformative, being either descriptive of size (e.g. The Five Acres, the Long Meadow), or
position (the Field Below the House). The access to the farm was by a trackway to the north
of the farm buildings. 45 The farm buildings themselves are not shown, although the small
fields shown at its location may imply terracing for building platforms. No other features of
archaeological interest are present.
6.4.6 The Tithe map of Christchurch Parish shows only minor changes from the 1758 estate plan,
the most significant being the replacement of the access to Little Bulmore Farm with a new
track still in use today, (fig 6). Land usage is mostly either arable or pasture, with some areas
of woodland. The buildings at Little Bulmore comprise a central L-shaped range set in a yard,
with smaller outbuildings to the south and west. The only other feature of archaeological
significance present is a small barn in the southwestern extremity of the assessment area,
(PRN 03909g).
6.4.7 The 1st Edition OS 6-inch map shows few changes from the tithe map, (fig 7). The
outbuildings of Little Bulmore Farm are more extensive and a well is shown to the east of the
farm complex. Barn 03909g is also shown, associated with a small enclosure or yard.
6.4.8 The bulk of the surviving landscape features can be traced back pre-1840 for the assessment
area as a whole, and to pre-1758 for the area around Little Bulmore Farm. The alluvial flood
plain of the Usk, in common with other similar landscapes in south Wales, is drained by a
series of grips and reens, and protected from inundation by a flood bank. This takes the form
of a small earthen bank, between 1m and 1.5m in height, and 2m wide. The fields on the
slopes of Mount St Albans are divided by hedges, which are often set on small earthen banks.
The slopes are incised by deeply cut streams and streamlets which funnel run of water from
the hilltops down to the river below. There has been some management of this process, as
evidenced by the cisterns at 07638g.
45
See paragraph 4.3.1
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
7 Recommendations
7.1 Stage 2 works comprising geophysical survey are not recommended. Part of the site has
already undergone extensive survey, comprising a fluxgate gradiometer, magnetic
susceptibility, and some resistivity. This took place in the areas most likely to contain Roman
structural remains; the fields adjacent to the scheduled area and between Little Bulmore Farm,
Bulmore Road and Great Bulmore. The results of this survey were almost entirely negative
outside the area of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, except sites 07641g and 07654g. Given
that it is recommended that specific sites and general areas of ground disturbance will be
archaeologically evaluated, further geophysical survey would seem to be unnecessary.
7.2 The areas of very high and high potential (see fig 4) should be excluded from the
development. These comprise the Scheduled Ancient Monument at Great Bulmore, Little
Bulmore Farm, and the immediate vicinities of these sites. In the case of the Scheduled
Ancient Monument; the presumption in such cases is that the monuments should always be
protected in situ. As to the setting of the monument, it is a debatable point as to how much
relevance the modern landscape has to the buried remains, given that there are no visible
surviving remains above ground. Clarification should be sought from Cadw (Welsh Historic
Monuments), with regard to this matter prior to development commencing.
7.3 The assessment has not identified any areas with the development within which the potential
for archaeological remains to be present is nil. Accordingly areas identified as of medium and
lower potential will require archaeological evaluation in order to determine the nature of the
resource. This should be targeted both at specific sites identified by the assessment which will
be affected by the development and at the evaluation of the affected area in general.
7.4 Standing structures affected by the development will require detailed recording prior to, and a
watching brief during, development. These comprise the structures of Little Bulmore Farm
03909g (see 7.3) and site 07634g.
7.5 The landscape has an intrinsic value in itself, although it has already lost much of its
integrity. 46 In order to mitigate the effect of the development, a programme of hedgerow and
earthwork survey should be instituted. The only single landscape feature worthy of
preservation is the hedgerow 07637g.
46
GGAT 1998 Landscapes: Working for Newport; Historical Aspects. Unpublished report.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
Published sources
Fox, Sir Cyril and 1951-1954 Monmouthshire Houses. 3 vols. NMW, Cardiff.
Lord Raglan
Marvell, A. G. 1996 “Celtic Manor Golf Course” in Archaeology in Wales 1996, 36,
p 74-5.
Marvell, A. G. and 1996 “Catsash Road” in Archaeology in Wales 1997, 37, p76.
Yates, A
Rees, W 1932 Map of South Wales and the Border in the Fourteenth Century.
Ordnance Survey, Southampton.
Rivet, A. L. F. and 1979 The Place Names of Roman Britain. Batsford, London.
Smith, C.
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WRU Centre Of Excellence Archaeological Desk-based Assessment
Unpublished sources
Glover, P. and 1984 A Resistivity Survey at Bulmore, Gwent. Unpublished report for
Oetgen, J. GGAT.
Cartographic sources
c1840 Tithe map and Apportionment for the Parish of Christchurch in the County of Monmouthshire.
Aerial photographs
Aerial photographs held by the Central Registry of Air Photography for Wales
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