Investigations at Mere Hill, Aymestrey

Herefordshire Archaeology

Conservation and Environmental Planning

Planning Services

Environment Directorate

Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire Woodlands
Archaeological Survey: Part 1
Shobdon Hill Wood
Herefordshire Archaeology Report No. 166

November 2004

Report prepared by Richard Lello

Summary

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgements

References

Introduction

This report provides an account of a rapid survey of Shobdon Hill Wood, including the adjoining Shirley Wood (HSM 39206). The survey was carried out in 2004 during the first year of the Herefordshire Woodlands Archaeological Survey following a pilot study undertaken by Herefordshire Archaeology in partnership with, and grant-aided by, the Forestry Commission. The purpose of the survey is to begin to document the archaeology of woodlands in the county. Woodlands are areas of high archaeological potential in that they have seldom been subjected to the types of disturbance associated with intensive modern agriculture. Relatively little information concerning archaeological sites within woodland has been recorded in the past. Access is often difficult, aerial photographs are of little or no use for site identification, and, until recently, recording an accurate location within woodland was often not possible.

Woodland boundaries have often moved over the centuries, sometimes expanding to encapsulate and preserve evidence of alternative land use, e.g. field systems, and on other occasions shrinking, and being subjected to different forms of woodland management. These variations in land-use inevitably influence the kind of ecological data that can be obtained from different areas of woodland. Archaeological survey can contribute significant data in terms of woodland history, management history and sequential development. This can provide independent evidence of historical change. It is only when the changes throughout history within a wood have been documented and understood in this way that a well-informed management strategy can be implemented.

Since 1999, Herefordshire Archaeology has been involved in regular discussions with the Forestry Commission concerning the lack of archaeological data available when management plans are being prepared and applications for Woodland Grant Schemes are submitted. As a result of these discussions, the Forestry Commission grant aided Herefordshire Archaeology to undertake a two-phase pilot study, phase one of which took place in 2001-2, and phase two took place in 2003. The surveys carried out in early 2004 were designed to continue and expand the programme of pilot studies.

The survey of each woodland area identifies the potential for the survival of archaeological features, and samples the types of features present. Further planned surveys may re-visit woodlands identified during rapid reconnaissance surveys as being of high archaeological potential, and will involve a more detailed survey. This will illustrate the density of archaeological sites within the woodland, and record relationships between features to enable some degree of understanding concerning the evolution of the woodland.

Location

Shobdon Hill Wood is located at NGR: SO 3900 6430 approximately 12km north-west of Leominster, Herefordshire. The northern part of the wood is located in the Civil Parish of Aymestry; the southern part is located in the Civil Parish of Shobdon.

Shobdon Hill Wood covers a hill aligned north-east to south-west. It is of irregular oval form, up to 2.5km long and up to 1.3km wide. The steep slopes on the north and east sides rise from 150m OD to 300m OD. A more gentle slope on the south side rises from 200m OD to 310m OD. The central plateau area, above 310m OD, is also oval in shape, rising to its highest point of 326m OD in the western part of the wood. Shirley Wood is located on the north-west side of Shobdon Hill Wood in a small valley aligned east to west (Ordnance Survey, 1999).

Geologically, the area is underlain by the Whitcliffe Formation of the Upper Ludlow Shales. The bedrock consists of calcareous siltstone, local shelly limestone beds and carbonate concretions (British Geological Survey, 1999). The bedrock is overlain by typical brown earths of the Munslow Series consisting of well drained coarse silty soils, and occasional fine silty and coarse loamy soils (Soil Survey of England and Wales, 1983).

Previous fieldwork and records

A search of the Herefordshire Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) revealed the following entries for Shobdon Hill Wood and its immediate environs:

SMR Record:22844

Site Name:Cropmarks, The Furnishers

NGR:SO 3800 6300

Description:Area of irregular cropmarks which may include a ditch, possibly geological features (aerial survey 94-MB-0129)

Site Type:Cropmark

Period:Undated

SMR Record:22845

Site Name:Enclosure, The Furnishers

NGR:SO 3800 6300

Description:Part of a curvilinear enclosure, possibly with 2 ditches (aerial survey 94-MB-0130)

Site Type:Enclosure

Period:Undated

SMR Record:24391

Site Name:Covenhope medieval settlement, Aymestry

NGR:SO 4080 6430

Description:Land of Roger of Mortimer held by Aelmer, includes woodland (Domesday Book)

Site Type:Settlement

Period:Early Medieval/Dark Age

SMR Record:3693

Site Name:Covenhope, Aymestry

NGR:SO 4078 6425

Description:Timber frame, east wing refaced in rubble and brick (Royal Commission on Historical Monuments of England 1934)

Site Type:Dwelling

Period:Post Medieval

Method

Shobdon Hill Wood was surveyed on 22 January and 23 February 2004. A rapid assessment was undertaken of the potential of the wood to contain well-preserved archaeological features. A hand-held Garmin 12 XL Global Positioning System was used to map features, and a ten-figure grid reference was recorded. This system is accurate to within approximately 10m under tree canopy.

The wood was walked in transects aligned north to south or east to west, approximately 50m or 100m apart. Where a large feature was encountered, and no other features of archaeological significance could be seen in the vicinity, the feature was followed and any other features up to 50m on either side of it were recorded (where conditions allowed). Field observations and grid references were recorded using a dictaphone, and transcribed later.

Information recorded included a description of features observed, their state of preservation, and relationships to other features within the wood. This survey is only a sample of the wood and should not be taken as exhaustive, or its results as definitive.

Field conditions

Conifer plantations cover the western part of Shobdon Hill Wood and the steep east- facing slopes. Deciduous woodland covers part of the north- and south-facing slopes. Large areas of woodland have been clear felled on the south-facing slopes of the wood, and in Shirley Wood.

On 22 January 2004 during the survey the weather was cloudy with light rain and mist on hilltops; visibility was good. On 23 February the weather was sunny and dry, with good visibility.

Results (Figure 2)

Recorded archaeological features are described below, and the historical development of the woodland is discussed briefly. The significance of the archaeological features and management implications is then commented upon.

Each archaeological feature has been assigned a unique Sites and Monuments Primary Record Number, prefixed by HSM (Herefordshire Sites and Monuments Record). In this report each feature is identified by its HSM number. The appendix contains a simple database in which each feature is cross-referenced to its HSM number and to the Ordnance Survey National Grid (NGR).

Woodland management features

Direct evidence of post-medieval woodland management was observed in the form of charcoal burning platforms and, possibly, a saw pit. Additional evidence includes holloways and trackways, several of which were also associated with quarrying activities.

Thirty-seven charcoal burning platforms were recorded, occurring in 3 groups. Charcoal burning platforms consist of a level platform, generally circular in form up to 8m in diameter, depending on the state of preservation. A cut in slope is present on the up slope side, and a ‘lip’ of spoil on the down slope side. Charcoal fragments may also be present.

A group of 3 charcoal burning platforms (HSM 39211, HSM 39213, HSM 39214) is located on the steep east facing slopes in an area of dense conifer plantation. Several mature coppiced trees are located near one of the charcoal burning platforms (HSM 39211). The other 2 charcoal burning platforms are located near a holloway (HSM 39212) which provided access to them.

A group of 13 charcoal burning platforms (HSM 39225 to 39229, HSM 39231 to 39238) is located on the very steep north facing slopes near the north-east corner of the wood. This is an area of deciduous woodland, including coppice. Access to this group of charcoal burning platforms was by means of 2 trackways aligned east to west (HSM 39230, HSM 39239).

A dispersed group of 21 charcoal burning platforms (e.g., HSM 39259, HSM 39244, HSM 39247, HSM 39276) is located on the steep north facing slopes in the western part of the wood in an area of conifer plantation. Access is provided by a number of trackways aligned east to west (HSM 39246, HSM 39250, HSM 39255, HSM 39270, HSM 39274) and holloways (HSM 39273, HSM 39275).

One possible saw pit (HSM 39224) was recorded, sub-rectangular in form measuring 1.5m x 1m, 0.5m deep, and very eroded. It is located in an area of recently felled deciduous woodland, and may be the result of forestry activities.

An extensive, branching network of holloways (HSM 39212, HSM 29215, HSM 39218 to 39220) and trackways (HSM 39216, HSM 39221 to 39223) provided access to the eastern part of Shobdon Hill Wood from an entry point at Hillhead/Covenhope (NGR: SO 4010 6440). On the western side of the wood, holloways (HSM 39273, HSM 39275) and trackways (e.g., HSM 39246, HSM 39255) converged on a point of access from Byton Common at the north-west corner of the wood (NGR: SO 3770 6430). Holloways and trackways provided access to woodland resources, and enabled the removal of those resources from the wood to places of processing and consumption.

An extensive network of well-maintained forestry roads and trackways is present in Shobdon Hill Wood today. Many of these routes follow the course of trackways recorded on Ordnance Survey 1st edition maps of 1888-90.

Woodland boundaries

Three woodbanks were recorded. All are eroded and generally in poor condition. A sinuous woodbank (HSM 39207) is located at the north-west corner of Shobdon Hill Wood extending west along the north side of the wood, and extending south-east along the east side. All that remains of the woodbank is a lynchet, 1.5m high, facing down slope into pasture, and a shallow ditch, 1m wide, on the east side.

A sinuous woodbank (HSM 39256) is located on the north side of the wood, aligned east to west. The woodbank consists of a low eroded bank, with a shallow ditch on the south (woodland) side, and a lynchet, 2m high, facing into pasture on the north side. The woodbank appears to have extended to the west as a boundary between Shobdon Hill Wood and Shirley Wood, but it has been badly damaged as a result of forestry activities including road construction and clear felling.

A sinuous woodbank (HSM 39290) is located on the west side of the wood, aligned north to south. This feature is in fair condition; the bank is up to 1m high and 2m wide, with a shallow ditch on the west side. The woodbank also marks the Aymestry-Byton parish boundary. Further south and east, the edge of the wood is marked by a sinuous bank (HSM 39291). In places, the bank is very eroded or is in the form of a lynchet, 1m high, facing down slope into pasture. This feature is a continuation of the woodbank (HSM 39290), however, the ditch is not present (probably eroded) and the feature does not mark the parish boundary.

To the north of the woodbank (HSM 39290), an eroded bank (HSM 39252) extends north, changing direction several times. This bank is a continuation of the woodbank, but there is no evidence of a ditch (the bank does not mark the parish boundary).

On the south-east side of the wood, the boundary is marked by a fairly well-preserved bank (HSM 39217). Here woodland surrounds a cottage and several small regular fields on three sides, north, east and west.

Figure 2: Location of features recorded during the survey.

Agricultural features

Evidence of agricultural activities was observed in the southern part of Shobdon Hill Wood. This is in the form of several lynchets on the south facing slopes. In the south central part of the wood, a lynchet (HSM 39243) aligned east to west, 1m high facing south, with a shallow ditch on the south side, extends through an area of deciduous woodland and clear felling. A mature oak tree is growing on the lynchet. In the south-eastern part of the wood, a lynchet (HSM 39205) aligned east to west, 3m high facing south, extends through an area of deciduous woodland. Both lynchets are cut by forestry roads, and terminate in areas of conifer plantation.

Industrial features

Four quarries were recorded; all are located near the edge (or former edge) of the wood. The largest quarry (HSM 39258) is located on the north facing slopes near the northern edge of the wood. It is oval in form measuring 40m x 5m and 2m deep with exposed bedrock and clay. The quarry was accessed by a trackway (HSM 39257) on the north side, cut by a forestry road.

A small quarry (HSM 39209) is located near the eastern edge of the wood. It is sub-circular, 10m in diameter and 3m deep with exposed bedrock. Access was provided by a holloway (HSM 39210) on the north side, cut by a forestry road. A small quarry (HSM 39253) is located at the north-west corner of Shirley Wood. It is circular, 12m in diameter and 2m deep with exposed bedrock. The entrance is on the south side.

A quarry (HSM 39288) is located near the former southern edge of Shobdon Hill Wood (discussed below). It is semi-circular, 20m x 5m and 2.5m deep with exposed bedrock. Access was provided by a trackway (HSM 39289) on the south side, cut by a forestry road.

On the west side of the wood is a group of pits (HSM 39280, HSM 39281, HSM 39282, HSM 39283, HSM 39284, HSM 39285). All are circular, up to 6m in diameter, and up to 1m deep. They are likely to be the result of clay extraction. A ditch with a bank of spoil (HSM 39279), extending south-west down slope, drains the pits and may have previously provided access as a trackway.

Other features

A number of features are aligned with parish boundaries. In the south-east part of the wood, a holloway (HSM 39218) follows the present boundary between the parishes of Aymestry and Shobdon. In the western part of the wood, the parish boundary is represented by a ditch (HSM 39277). On the western edge of the wood, the ditch of a woodbank (HSM 39290) marks the boundary between the parishes of Aymestry and Byton for a short distance. The parish boundary continues to the west of the wood as a fieldbank (HSM 39278).

Evidence of former land use

Much of Shobdon Hill Wood appears to have been woodland since the medieval period. Evidence to support this, recorded during the survey, includes the presence of sinuous boundaries marked by woodbanks (generally very eroded) on the north, east and west sides of the wood. This interpretation is supported by documentary evidence. The AD1086 Domesday Book entry for Covenhope, on the south-east side of Shobdon Hill, includes woodland. The Tithe Apportionment for the parish of Aymestry, dated 1842, records that the township of Covenhope included an area of woodland on the eastern and northern slopes of Shobdon Hill.

Intensive management of woodland resources, recorded during the survey in the form of charcoal burning platforms and associated trackways and holloways located particularly on the eastern and northern slopes, dates to at least the post medieval period. An extensive network of trackways emanating from an entry point at Covenhope was observed. This network of trackways is also recorded on the parish Tithe Map of 1842, and may be of earlier, i.e. medieval, date.

The woodland boundaries observed on the north, east and west sides of the wood are essentially the same as those recorded on the Ordnance Survey 1st edition maps (1888-90) and on Bryant’s Map of Herefordshire of 1835. Some evidence of localised change in woodland boundaries was observed, however. At Hillhead/Covenhope, the presence of cottages and small, regular fields delineated by a well-preserved bank on the south-east side of the wood is interpreted as evidence of assarting during the post medieval period. Documentary evidence of localised change is provided by field names recorded on the Tithe Map. Several fields at the north-east corner of Shobdon Hill Wood were named stocking or coppice, indicating post medieval assarting, possibly following an earlier expansion of woodland beyond the medieval woodbanks.

Investigations at Mere Hill, Aymestrey

Herefordshire Archaeology

Contents

Introduction

Method

Results (Figure 2)

Woodland management features

Figure 2: Location of features recorded during the survey.

Agricultural features

Industrial features

Evidence of former land use