Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert),

Neath Port Talbot

Archaeological Watching Brief
August 2009

GGAT report no. 2009/058

A report for Neath Port Talbot County Project no.P1359
Borough Council Site no. 650
by Fay Bowen BA National Grid Ref: SS 74644 97864

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The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd

Heathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL
 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Contents Page
Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 2
Copyright notice............................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Project background ........................................................................................ 3
1.2 Location, topography and geology ................................................................ 3
1.3 General historical and archaeological background ........................................ 3
1.4 Site specific archaeological investigation ...................................................... 4
2. Methodology ......................................................................................................... 7
3. Results ................................................................................................................... 8
3.1 Test Pit 1 ........................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Test Pit 2A ..................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Test Pit 2B...................................................................................................... 8
3.4 Test Pit 3 ........................................................................................................ 8
3.5 Test Pit 4 ........................................................................................................ 8
4. Finds Report ....................................................................................................... 10
5. Conclusions......................................................................................................... 11
Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 12
Appendix I .................................................................................................................. 13
Inventory of contexts ............................................................................................... 13
Appendix II................................................................................................................. 14
Inventory of plates ................................................................................................... 14

Figures
Figure 1: General location plan .................................................................................... 6
Figure 2: Plan showing location of Test Pits 1, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 (red) ....................... 9

Plates
Plate 1: View to the west of Test Pit 1 ........................................................................ 14
Plate 2: View to the north of Test Pit 1 ...................................................................... 14
Plate 3: View to the north of Test Pit 2A ................................................................... 15
Plate 4: View to the north of Test Pit 2B ................................................................... 15
Plate 5: View to the east of Test Pit 2B, showing 1006 to 1009 ................................ 15
Plate 6: View to the west of Test Pit 3 ........................................................................ 16
Plate 7: View to the north of Test Pit 3, showing 1010 to 1012................................ 16
Plate 8: View to the west of Test Pit 4 ........................................................................ 16
Plate 9: View to the south of Test Pit 4, showing 1013 and 1014 ............................. 17

Front cover: View to the west of Test Pit 1  GGAT

 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Summary
GGAT Projects were commissioned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to
undertake a watching brief during the excavation of five geotechnical test pits, in
order to inform the determination of a forthcoming planning application for the
construction of a new teaching block in Cwrt Herbert playing field at Dwr-y-Felin
School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot. No archaeologically significant features or
structures were encountered during the course of the watching brief, and the only
deposits uncovered were post-medieval or modern in date. Similarly the majority of
the recovered cultural material was of a post-medieval or modern date, however a
sherd of pottery tentatively dated to the Roman period was found. Given that the SAM
area is less than 60m to the southeast and a low, yet significant level of Roman
activity was encountered during an archaeological evaluation to the immediate north
it is likely that groundwork for the construction of the proposed teaching block may
encounter similar activity.

Acknowledgements
The project was managed by Richard Lewis BA MIfA and the fieldwork was
undertaken by Andrew Sherman BA and Fay Bowen BA of GGAT Projects. The
finds were processed and analysed by Steve Sell BA of GGAT Projects. The report
was compiled by Fay Bowen BA. The illustrations were prepared by Paul Jones
(Senior Illustrator).
Archaeological background is based on Primary Record Number (PRN) information
supplied by the Historic Environment Record (HER) held at GGAT, Swansea.

Copyright notice
The copyright of this report is held by Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd;
GGAT has granted an exclusive licence to Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council and their agents to use and reproduce the material it contains. Ordnance
Survey maps are reproduced under licence (AL 10005976), annotations are GGAT
copyright.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

1. Introduction
1.1 Project background
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is intending to construct a new teaching
block in Cwrt Herbert playing field at Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot.
The proposed development, centred at NGR SS 74644 97864 lies a short distance to
the northwest of the Roman fort of Nidum (Gm215), which is protected as a SAM
(Scheduled Ancient Monument).
Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council intend to submit a planning application in
June 2010 for the construction of a new teaching block in Cwrt Herbert playing field
at Dwr-y-Felin School. The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd (GGAT
Projects) were commissioned by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to
undertake an archaeological watching brief during the excavation of five geotechnical
test pits, in order to establish the nature and importance of any archaeological features
within the proposed development area, thus informing the determination of a
forthcoming planning application. The work took place on the 4th of August 2009.

1.2 Location, topography and geology

The proposed development is centred at NGR SS 74644 97864, on land forming part
of Cwrt Herbert playing fields attached to Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port
Talbot. It lies between Neath Abbey Road to the south and Dwr-y-Felin Road to the
east, on the floodplain of the Afon Nedd, which flows approximately 300m to the
southeast. The surface geology consists of fluvial sands and gravels.

1.3 General historical and archaeological background

The proposed development lies some 54m to the northwest of the Roman fort of
Nidum (Gm215). The Roman fort was constructed initially in timber c.75 AD and
replaced c.80 AD by another timber fort, which was itself replaced in stone c.117 AD.
This fort was abandoned c.125 AD, reoccupied c.140 AD and finally abandoned c.170
AD. Whilst little is now visible of the auxiliary fort the foundations of the southeast
gateway and guard chamber are preserved in Roman Way, their antiquity contrasting
with the modern nature of the surrounding housing estate. The double roadway
through the southeast gate was flanked by towers and fronted by a ditch, implying the
former existence of a bridge. Excavations in the playing fields, across the road from
the southeast gate, in which the line of the northwest defences, detected as a slight
rise, have revealed the north angle tower and evidence for timber structures including
barracks and the headquarters building (Newman 2004).
Neath Abbey (Gm006) is located approximately 600m to the southwest of the
development area. Its lands were granted in 1129 by Richard de Granville, a
lieutenant of the Norman lord of Glamorgan, to the abbey of Savigny in Normandy.
The grant consisted of a tract of nearly 8,000 acres (3,240 hectares) of ‘virgin’ Welsh
lands by the ‘nova villa’ of Neath. In 1147, when the Savigniac order merged with
that of Citeaux, Neath Abbey came under Cistercian rule. Cistercian doctrine dictated
that monastic communities must not profit from rents but only from direct
exploitation of their estate. Therefore, each Cistercian community included a large
body of lay brothers, who farmed both the lands round the abbey and the granges
(Newman 2004).

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

The town and borough of Neath originated in the early 12th century when the Afon
Nedd formed the western boundary of Norman penetration into South Wales. Both the
Castle and borough town were established on the eastern bank of the river, with the
abbey being founded shortly afterwards, on the far side of the river 2km to the west.
In the later Middle Ages the town and abbey were in competition for river trade, and
in 1491 the Town Hall was reported to be in ruins. The key to Neath’s subsequent
development as an industrial centre was the availability of substantial coal deposits
close to the coast. Sir Humphrey Mackworth of the Gnoll, whose mansion dominated
the little town from its hilltop, pioneered both copper and lead working from the
1690's, with the celebrated Neath Abbey Ironworks (Gm389) began operation soon
after (Newman 2004).
Neath Abbey Ironworks (Gm389) is located approximately 840m to the west,
alongside the waterpower resources of the River Clydach, a short distance from its
confluence with the navigable River Neath. The Ironworks benefited from Cornish
expertise in specialised casting and engineering, which was brought to the site by two
Quaker families, the Foxes of Falmouth, who took over in 1792, and Joseph Tregelles
Price (who had worked with James Watt at the great Canon Ironworks at Falkirk)
from 1817. Under Joseph Tregelles Price (1786-1854) the works gained a reputation
for high-quality engineering products. The engine factory produced locomotives,
stationary engines, cast iron roofs and floors, steamships and gasworks. After Price’s
death stagnation set in, and the works finally closed in 1885. The Vale of Neath
Canal, built in 1795, and subsequent railways, opened up the hinterland of Neath.
However, the town remained of very modest size, clustered around St Thomas’s
church. In 1801, there were 2,500 inhabitants, and half a century later the population
had little more than doubled (Lewis 2004).

1.4 Site specific archaeological investigation

Recent archaeological investigations close to the proposed development have included
evaluation and geophysical survey. Prior to the construction of the athletics track a
field evaluation was undertaken in 1993. It revealed part of a masonry building dating
to the late 1st or early 2nd century in the southeastern corner of the proposed
development, and parts of at least two linear features further to the northwest. The
building appears to have been of substantial size and high status, and was constructed
in at least two phases. It has been suggested that the structure may have been a mansio
or official residence (Maynard 1993).
A geophysical survey conducted in 2004 failed to locate this building, but did identify
what was interpreted as the defences for the Phase 1 fort, on a slightly different
alignment from the later fort. The survey also located a linear feature which has been
interpreted as a road associated with the northwestern gate of the later fort.
Subsequent excavation to investigate the results of the survey appeared to confirm the
presence of a defensive system slightly to the northwest of the later fort, but the
second trench failed to substantiate the existence of the road associated with the
northwest gate (Evans 2005).
The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd (GGAT Projects) carried out an
evaluation in June 2005 in order to establish the nature and importance of any
archaeological features prior to the construction of a teaching and canteen block.
Roman deposits were discovered and whilst the level of Roman activity was low, it
was not insignificant (Sell 2005). The results of a subsequent watching-brief also

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

demonstrated limited Roman activity across the same area in the form of a small,
irregular-sided pit tentatively dated to the Roman period (mid 1st and mid 2nd
centuries) by its pottery content. A shallow spread of charcoal was also dated to the
end of the Roman period or later (Sherman 2006).
The development area is close to the assumed position of the road leading out of the
northwest gate of the fort, although this road was not located during the evaluation of
2004 (Evans 2005), designed to complement the results of the earlier resistivity
survey. Whereas the nature and position of the vicus on the northeastern side of the
fort is now well established (Lawler and Marvell 1994, Sell 1997, Howell 2001, Sell
2003) the nature of activity to the northwest of the fort is less well understood.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath: archaeological watching brief

Dwr-y-Felin
Neath Technical College Comprehensive
Middle School

Dwr-y-Felin
Comprehensive
Athletics Ground Upper School

Dw
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- Fe
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Ro
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Neath Sports Centre
Area shown in Figure 2

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River N
GRID

Based on the Ordnance Survey 1:5000 Landplan with the permission of

The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright,
Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd, Licence number Al10005976

100 200metres
0

Figure 1. General location plan

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

2. Methodology
The geotechnical test pitting monitored by the archaeological watching brief (see
Figure 2) consisted of five machine excavated test pits (TP1, TP2A, TP2B, TP3 and
TP4). A full written, drawn and photographic record was made of all archaeological
contexts, in accordance with the GGAT Manual of Excavation Recording Techniques.
Contexts were recorded using a single continuous numbering system, and are
summarised in Appendix I. All significant contexts were photographed using a
Fujifilm Finepix S1000 (10mp).
An archive of records relating to the preparation of the reports has been prepared to
the specifications in Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage,
1991) Appendix 6 and UKIC’s Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in
creation, compilation, transfer and curation 2007.
After an appropriate period has elapsed, copies of the report and archive index will be
deposited with the regional Historic Environment Record (HER). A copy of the
report and archive index will also be deposited with the National Monuments Record,
RCAHMW, Aberystwyth.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

3. Results

3.1 Test Pit 1

Test Pit 1 measured 1.6m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.5m (see Figure 2
and Plates 1-2). The basal deposit encountered was grey-orange silty clay with gravels
(1003) with a minimum depth of 1.15m. This underlay an orange-brown silty clay
loam (1002) containing frequent sub-rounded and sub-angular stones (varying from
0.06m to 0.21m in diameter), and with a depth of 1m. It contained modern brick
fragments, late post-medieval pottery and a sherd of possible Roman pottery. This
was overlain by dark brown silty-clay loam topsoil (1001), which contained frequent
rooting and with a depth of 0.35m.

3.2 Test Pit 2A

Test Pit 2A measured 0.86m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 0.41m (see
Figure 2 and Plate 3). The basal deposit was a grey-black fine greasy silt (1005), with
a minimum depth of 0.12m. This was overlain by grey-brown silty-clay loam topsoil
(1004), with a depth of 0.29m.

3.3 Test Pit 2B

Test Pit 2B measured 0.88m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 0.41m (see
Figure 2 and Plates 4-5). The basal deposit was a mid-brown silty clay (1009), with a
minimum depth of 0.07m and containing frequent charcoal, coal and orange clay
flecks. This underlay a grey-black fine greasy silt (1008), with a depth of 0.08m.
Deposit 1008 was overlain by a layer of frequent orange brick fragments in a matrix
of dark brown silty clay (1007), and with a depth of 0.03m. This was overlain by a
light grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil (1006), with a depth of 0.23m and containing
sub-rounded stones (varying from 0.02m to 0.08m in diameter).

3.4 Test Pit 3

Test Pit 3 measured 1.6m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.20m (see Figure
2 and Plates 6-7). The basal deposit encountered was an orange-brown clay (1012),
with a minimum depth of 1m and which contained stones and natural gravel. This
underlay a light orange-brown silty clay (1011), with a depth of 0.73m and which
contained occasional sub-rounded stones (maximum diameter of 0.11m). Deposit
1011 was overlain by a light brown silty clay loam topsoil (1012), with a depth of
0.47m.

3.5 Test Pit 4

Test Pit 4 measured 1.60m by 0.5m and was excavated to a depth of 2.55m (see
Figure 2 and Plates 8-9). The basal deposit was a grey-orange gravel (1015), with a
depth of 0.76m and which contained sub-rounded stones. This underlay an orange-
brown silty clay (1014), with a depth of 1.24m and which contained stones (maximum
diameter of 0.11m) and isolated flecks of manganese. The uppermost layer was a dark
grey-brown silty clay topsoil loam (1013), with a depth of 0.55m.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

4. Finds Report

Material from two contexts (1002 and 1007) was submitted for examination, with the
following results.
The entire assemblage was of relatively modern (19th century or later) date with the
possible exception of a highly abraded sherd, in a soft sandy pale red fabric, from
1002, which may be of Roman date. Although surfaces have almost entirely gone,
there is a small cluster of angular white quartz grit on what is assumed to be the
internal surface, suggesting a fragment of mortarium, almost certainly a South Wales
type.
Elsewhere modern brick, bottle and window glass, the rim of a small bowl in cream-
coloured earthenware (perhaps early 19th century) and a modern button, probably
from a shirt, were present in the small assemblage.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

5. Conclusions

Test Pit 1 revealed a sherd of possible Roman date in context 1002, however post-
medieval and modern cultural material was also recovered from his context indicating
that the sherd is likely to be residual in nature.
It is believed that deposits 1002 and 1007 possibly represent levelling layers. Whereas
contexts 1005 and 1008 are thought to be a possible flooding episode of post-
medieval date.
Deposit 1009 may be a cultivation layer, however no conclusive evidence was
discovered to definitively date this context. A similar deposit was encountered during
a watching brief in 2006 and was thought to pre-date the post-medieval period,
although limited evidence for such a deposit was recorded during the evaluation or
full excavation of the site (Sherman 2006).
No other archaeologically significant features, deposits or structures were encountered
during the course of the observed groundworks.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Bibliography

Evans E M, 2005, Roman roads and vici in Southeast Wales: Year 3 report, GGAT
Report No: 2005/003
Higgins J, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, excavation project design,
GGAT Report No: 2006/011
Howell J K, 2001, Neath Port Talbot crèche, archaeological field evaluation, GGAT
Report No: 2001/035
Lawler M and Marvell A G, 1994, Archaeological field evaluation: Neath College,
GGAT Report No: 94/077
Lewis R, 2004, Landscapes Working for Neath and Port Talbot: History and
Archaeology Aspect, GGAT Report No: 2004/008
Maynard D J, 1993, Archaeological field evaluation: Cwrt Herbert playing fields,
Neath West Glamorgan, GGAT Report No: 93/036
Newman J, 2004, The Buildings Of Wales: Glamorgan, Yale University Press
Sell S H, 1997, Neath College archaeological survey, GGAT Report No: 97/018
Sell S H, 2003, Neath Port Talbot College Electronic Learning Centre,
archaeological watching-brief, final report, GGAT Report No: 2003/073
Sell S H, 2005, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, archaeological field
evaluation, GGAT Report No: 2005/057
Sherman A, 2006, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath,Neath Port Talbot: archaeological
watching-brief, GGAT Report No: 2006/100
Tuck M, forthcoming, Dwr-y-Felin School, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, archaeological
excavation.

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Appendix I
Inventory of contexts
Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period
1001 D 0m-0.35m Dark brown silty clay loam topsoil with Modern
frequent rooting
1002 D 0.35m-1.35m Orange-brown silty clay loam with Post-medieval
frequent sub-rounded and sub-angular
stones (varying in size from 0.06m and
0.21m in diameter); possible levelling
layer
1003 D 1.35m-2.50 n.b. Grey-orange silty clay with gravels -

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period

1004 D 0m-0.29m Grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil Modern
1005 D 0.29m-0.41m Grey-black fine greasy silt; possible Post-medieval
n.b. flooding episode

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period

1006 D 0m-0.23m Light grey-brown silty clay loam topsoil Modern
with occasional sub-rounded stones
varying from 0.02m to 0.08m
1007 D 0.23m-0.26m Frequent orange brick fragments in a Modern
matrix of dark brown silty clay
containing isolated fragments of burnt
stone; possible levelling/ formation layer
1008 D 0.26m-0.34m Grey-black fine greasy silt; possible Post-medieval
flooding episode
1009 D 0.34m-0.41m Mid-brown silty clay containing frequent Post-medieval?
n.b charcoal, coal and orange clay flecks;
possible cultivation layer

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period

1010 D 0m-0.47m Light brown silty-clay loam topsoil Modern
1011 D 0.47m-1.20m Light orange-brown silty-clay containing Post-medieval
occasional sub-rounded stones varying
from 0.07m to 0.11m
1012 D 1.20m-2.20m Orange-brown clay containing stone and -
n.b. natural gravel

Context Type Max Depth (m) Description Period

1013 D 0m-0.55m Dark grey-brown silty clay topsoil loam Modern
1014 D 0.55m-1.79m Orange-brown silty clay containing Post-medieval
stones (maximum diameter of 0.11m)
and isolated flecks of manganese
1015 D 1.79m-2.55m Grey-orange gravel containing sub- -
n.b. rounded stones

Key:
D: Deposit
n.b.: not bottomed

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 Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Appendix II
Inventory of plates

Plate 1: View to the west of Test Pit 1

Plate 2: View to the north of Test Pit 1

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Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Plate 3: View to the north of Test Pit 2A

Plate 4: View to the north of Test Pit 2B

Plate 5: View to the east of Test Pit 2B, showing 1006 to 1009

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Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Plate 6: View to the west of Test Pit 3

Plate 7: View to the north of Test Pit 3, showing 1010 to 1012

Plate 8: View to the west of Test Pit 4

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Dwr-y-Felin School (Cwrt Herbert), Neath, Neath Port Talbot: archaeological watching brief

Plate 9: View to the south of Test Pit 4, showing 1013 and 1014

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