Dig07Assessment

History at St Peter's


Timeline | Bell Tower | Archaeological Dig | Book


Assessment of significant

The significance of the deposits can be evaluated using the Secretary of State's criteria for scheduling ancient monuments (DoE 1990, Annex 4; Appendix 4) which provide a framework for the assessment.

The main interest in the evaluation lies in the east to west aligned boundary ditch in Trench 2 (208; Fig 5). Although the dating of this is uncertain, its location within the current area of the churchyard and its early date (Roman or medieval) make it of considerable interest. If it is Roman it is of particular significance since Roman rural settlements are poorly understood in the area and such sites are rare. The presence of other Roman finds in the vicinity (HWCM 886, HWCM 1096, HWCM 7081 and HWCM 9752; Fig 2) increases this importance since they are probably associated. Together they are strongly indicative of Roman settlement. If it is of medieval date it is of considerable interest since it represents an early boundary which was previously unknown. Such a boundary may relate to the church or Ipsley Court as the modern boundary to the north does, or, it might relate to other elements of the medieval settlement. If it is of this date then it clearly forms part of the medieval settlement at Ipsley and can be related to documentary evidence of the manor and church (VCH III 1945). It would also be associated with other elements of the medieval settlement known from the area (HWCM 52, HWCM 53, HWCM 7081, HWCM 9751 and HWCM 10262; Fig 2).

The preservation of this ditch and its fill, in the area of Trench 2, was good due to the dumping of over 1.00m of soil above it in the early part of this century. Charred seeds surviving in the fill suggested good preservation of environmental remains. Thus the line, date and fill of this feature are considered to be of importance to our understanding of the origins and early history of Ipsley. Works occurring below the depth of the recent dumped deposits (ie 1.00m) will damage this feature and any that may be associated.

Due to post-medieval truncation the medieval layer identified in Trench 2 (204) does not survive well and so is not considered to be of importance. However if survival were better beyond the limits of the evaluation trench it could be potentially significant due to its position on the earlier, western boundary of the graveyard. No significant deposits were identified in Trench l.

[ Previous Page ] [ Contents ] [ Next Page ]
[ Home Page ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Powered by Church Edit