Afon Llwyd River, Caerleon, Newport: Archaeological Assessment

Land on either side of the Afon Llwyd River
between the River Usk, the Usk Road and

Caerleon, Newport
Archaeological desk based assessment
March 2006
GGAT report no. 2006/010
Project no. P1057
A report for The Celtic Manor Resort National Grid Reference:
by Martin Tuck ST 3458 9090
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The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd

Heathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL
Land either side of the Afon Llwyd River between the River Usk, the Usk Road and Caerleon, Newport:
archaeological assessment
Contents Page
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 2
Acknowledgements......................................................................................................... 2
Copyright notice ............................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Assessment area proposal............................................................................ 3
1.2 Specification and methodology for study.................................................... 3
1.3 Assessment criteria...................................................................................... 3
2. Background......................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Location and topography............................................................................. 6
2.2 Geology ....................................................................................................... 6
2.3 General archaeological background ............................................................ 7
3. Site specific archaeology and zonation ............................................................. 8
3.1 Archaeological interests .............................................................................. 8
3.2 Site zoning................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Walkover survey ....................................................................................... 14
3.4 Cartographic sources ................................................................................. 14
4. National and local planning constraints and policies.................................... 16
5. Summary of archaeological potential............................................................. 19
Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 20
Appendix I..................................................................................................................... 22
Summary of data from the Tithe maps of Caerleon and Christchurch parishes
including tithe plan extract
Appendix II ................................................................................................................... 24
St.Aarons. Extract from Early Medieval ecclesiastical sites in southeast Wales
Appendix III ................................................................................................................. 27
Aerial photographs with coverage of the evaluation area
Appendix IV.................................................................................................................. 29
Gazetteer of archaeological interests
Figures Page
Figure 1: Location of the study area (green)................................................................... 6
Figure 2: Map showing zones and known archaeological interests.............................. 37
Figure 3: Archaeological potential plan........................................................................ 38
Tables Page
Table 1: Identified archaeological interests..................................................................... 6
Plates Page
Plate 1: Zone A, view to the south shows the railway embankment in middle
distance and the slopes on which the Roman cemetery is located. ................................. 9
Plate 2: Zone B, view to the northeast shows dense tree coverage, River Afon
Llwyd in foreground....................................................................................................... 10
Plate 3: Zone C, general view to the north of floodplain .............................................. 11
Plate 4: Zone D, general view to the southwest across the floodplain.......................... 13
1
Summary
The Celtic Manor Resort has commissioned the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Contracts Division to undertake an archaeological desk-based assessment of the potential
archaeological resource in the parcels of land within their ownership that border the River Afon
Llwyd.
Twenty-two sites of archaeological interests, including two Scheduled Ancient Monuments
(SAM), were identified in the assessment area. One SAM (Mm 244) is located within the
landholding.
The greater part of the site, to the east of Caerleon, is located on the floodplain of the Rivers
Usk and Afon Llwyd. The Afon Llwyd has changed course on numerous occasions and it is
unlikely that archaeological remains will be discovered on the floodplain due to the cutting
action of both rivers. However, archaeological remains of national and regional importance are
located on the western and northern boundaries of the landholding including a probable
bathhouse scheduled as an ancient monument (SAM MM 244). The remains, of Roman date,
are associated with the Roman fortress of Caerleon and include the roads, civilian settlement
and burial grounds outside the fortress walls. Newport City Council as the Unitary Authority
recognises the importance of Roman Caerleon and designated the area as an Archaeologically
Sensitive Area; part of the western boundary falls within its curtilage. The Newport Unitary
Development Plan contains a number of specific policies that are applicable to the site and the
floodplain in particular; excepting proposals that will enhance tourism in Caerleon, these
policies generally discourage other forms of development.
Whilst the landholding benefits from some previous geophysical survey and trial investigations
this has not been on a scale to pin-point all archaeological interests. However, this assessment
has allowed areas of high, medium and low potential to be determined and should proposals be
advanced for development in these areas then further evaluation followed, if necessary, by
implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, is likely to be required. In line with current
guidance it would be preferable to avoid or minimize development in those areas with the
highest potential.
Acknowledgements
Information to assist this project was provided by the following records holders, GGAT SMR,
Cadw, CRAPW, RCAHMW, National Library of Wales, Gwent Record Office, and Newport
Library Reference Department.
The project was managed by Andrew Marvell BA MIFA and the report researched and
prepared by Martin Tuck of GGAT.
Copyright notice
The copyright of this report is held by the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd, which
has granted an exclusive licence to Celtic Manor Resort and their agents to use and reproduce
material it contains. Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced under licence (AL 10005976),
detailed mapping copyright of Celtic Manor Resort; annotations are GGAT copyright.
2
1. Introduction
1.1 Assessment area proposal
The Celtic Manor Resort is considering options for maximising the potential of the parcels of
land within their ownership that border the River Afon Llwyd. The northern and western
boundaries of the assessment area are known to contain Scheduled Ancient Monuments and
other remains of Roman date associated with the fortress of Caerleon. The Glamorgan-Gwent
Archaeological Trust was commissioned by the Celtic Manor Resort to undertake an
archaeological desk-based assessment in order to determine the effect of possible future
development undertakings on the archaeological resource.
1.2 Specification and methodology for study

The study comprised a review of existing information about the archaeological resource within
the assessment area centred at NGR ST 345 910, and included sites bordering the specific area.
The assessment conformed to the Institute of Field Archaeologists Standards and Guidance for
Archaeological desk-based assessments with the addition that the landholding was microzoned
into areas of differing archaeological potential with confidence ratings; these zones are
presented graphically and with a written description. Some of the confidence ratings benefit
from recent field evaluation works.
Information recorded on the regional Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and National
Monuments Record (NMR) was assessed. Cartographic and documentary sources were studied,
along with relevant published information. Current Listed Building data and information on
Scheduled Ancient Monuments and registered landscapes was obtained from Cadw.
Collections of aerial photographs held by the Central Register of Air Photography for Wales
were examined and additional information requested from the Royal Commission on the
Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW). In addition, the relevant unitary
development plan and other documents relating to national and local planning policy were
consulted.
It was not the purpose of this assessment to assess any particular development impact but
rather to identify possible archaeological sites of interest and zones of constraint.
When development proposals are formulated further assessment or evaluation may be
necessary in order to clarify impact and ascertain the need for and extent of appropriate
mitigation measures.
1.3 Assessment criteria

The archaeological sites within the study area are categorised in accordance with the only
available criteria that are nationally agreed; these are set out in the Department of
Transport/Welsh Office/Scottish Office Design Manual for Roads and Bridges paragraph 3.4
Vol. 11 Section 3 Part 2 (Cultural Heritage).
 Category A: national importance
 Category B: regional importance
 Category C: local importance
 Category D: low importance
To these an additional category has been added
 Category U: unknown
3
The assessment of the importance of individual sites is essentially a subjective exercise based
upon the experience of the project team. 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 are given both in relation to their individual importance and to their context
within the wider landscape.
The condition of individual sites and the general overall condition of surviving remains has
bearing on the value of the sites themselves and on the value that they impart within a wider
landscape context. The condition of sites is recorded following the system used by the GGAT
SMR, using the following criteria:
 Intact: the site is intact
 Near intact: the site is nearly intact
 Damaged: the site has been moderately damaged
 Near destroyed: the site has nearly been destroyed
 Destroyed: the site has been destroyed
 Restored: the site has been restored
 Moved: the site has been moved (usually finds)
 Not known: the condition of the site is not known
For the purposes of desk-based assessments, rarity is assessed at regional level only. The
following criteria are used:
 High: very few sites of this type are known
 Medium: the site is not unusual, but cannot be considered common
 Low: the site is quite common
Group association is where a connection between sites within the landscape can be
demonstrated. These will usually be of the same period, but may include groups where the
presence of an earlier site or sites has led to the formation of a later complex, or where an
earlier site or sites can be shown to have acquired importance as part of a later complex. The
criteria are as follows:
 High: the site forms part of an interconnected complex occupying a clearly definable
landscape where little or no fragmentation has occurred
 Medium: the site is part of an interconnected complex which is either limited in scope or
badly fragmented
 Low: there are few or no other sites which are associated
Historical association is where there is a link between the site and known historical or cultural
persons or events. Prehistoric sites, which are by definition before historical evidence, cannot
have any contemporary historical association, but they may acquire later associations. For the
Roman and Early Medieval periods, where survival of historical evidence is poor and patchy,
any contemporary documentation at all will be important. Two classifications are given for
historical association, one reflecting the certainty of the identification, and the other its
importance. Only sites with certain or possible association can be assessed for importance, and
4
historical association can only increase the importance of a site; the absence of it will never
decrease its importance.
Historical association- identification
 Certain
 Possible
 Unknown
Historical association- importance
 High
 Medium
 Low
The assignment of values to identified interests requires consideration of the reliability and
accuracy of the source data, ranging from fully-recorded features seen in open excavation to
antiquarian comments on finds of note from a poorly-defined location. The confidence with
which the values have been assigned is noted, using the following criteria:
 High: existing information is reliable and detailed
 Medium: existing information is apparently reliable but limited in detail
 Low: existing information is too limited to allow its reliability to be assessed
As there are no specific development proposals, the effect on the archaeological resource
cannot be assessed. However, when or if specific proposals are forwarded the following criteria
will be applied to assess the effect on the archaeological resource:
 Severe: total loss
 Major: significant loss, likely to result in a reduction of value of the surviving site
 Minor: loss unlikely to result in a reduction of value of the surviving site
 None: no identifiable effect
 Beneficial: development will protect, preserve or enhance the site better than if the
development did not occur
5
2. Background
2.1 Location and topography
The assessment area is located to the east and northeast of Caerleon on part of the flood plain
of the rivers Usk and Afon Llwyd and the Sor Brook (Figure 1). The site boundary is well
defined by the Usk Road to the north, the confluence of the Sor Brook with the River Usk to
the east, the River Usk to the south and the relatively modern housing estates of Caerleon to the
west. The River Usk is tidal through this stretch of water and the normal tidal limits extend to
the Sor Brook and the greater part of the Afon Llwyd. The River Usk is of considerable nature
conservation importance and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
(Landscape Strategy 1999). The land is generally low-lying pasture at around 7m Ordnance
Datum (OD) but a spur of high ground at around 18m OD lies to the north; the Usk Road is
built on the high ground. The assessment area is also neatly divided into two near equal parts
by the Afon Llwyd, which meanders through the area on a northwest/southeast course. The
major rivers and watercourses are not within the ownership of the Celtic Manor Resort.
2.2 Geology
The solid geology consists mainly of Lower Devonian and Triassic sandstones and marls,
which form the uplands on either side of the Usk Estuary. The marls are continuous beneath
the valley floor, where they constitute a buried valley overlain by Pleistocene and Recent
deposits. These latter deposits consist of fluvio-glacial sands overlain by fluvial and alluvial
sands, and clays or estuarine deposits of similar nature. The surface geology of the assessment
area consists of riverine deposits of silts and clays overlying estuarine alluvium including
clays, silts, sands and peats (Environmental Statement 2000).
Figure 1: Location of study area (green)
0 0.5 1
kilometres
Base map reproduced from the OS 1:50,000 with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her
Majesty’s Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown
Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: AL 10005976. Annotations © GGAT
6
2.3 General archaeological background

At present there is little evidence for prehistoric activity surrounding the assessment area and,
if present, is likely to be masked by alluvial deposits. However, the area is dominated by the
influence of Roman settlement patterns linked to the principal Roman fortress of Isca situated
on the west of the assessment area. Evidence for settlement has been discovered on the east,
west and south sides of the fortress; it also extended across the river. The fortress was also
served by a major road system allowing access to Cardiff to the west and Usk to the east. It is
likely that two roads connected Caerleon to Usk, one road on either side of the River Usk. The
eastern road connecting Usk and Caerwent crossed the river by means of a bridge before
entering the fortress. It is around 1.5km along this road from Caerleon that the small Roman
settlement of Bulmore was situated. The Roman occupation of Caerleon is thought to have
lasted from around AD75 to probably the mid fourth century AD (Manning 2004). Little direct
evidence for the early medieval period in the valley area is known but it is likely that a cultural
continuity extended from the Romano-British period (Howell 2004).
Caerleon was a major Welsh stronghold during the medieval period and the town with its castle
probably guarded and controlled shipping movement along the river and also passage of
movement along the old Roman roads. It has been postulated that Newport replaced Caerleon
as the major port on the River Usk during the later medieval period, as silting of the river
channel and the construction of Newport Bridge made navigation upriver to Caerleon
increasingly difficult for larger vessels. The medieval port is likely to be located near the old
bridge crossing (00560g) but has yet to be proven. In addition, various pills along the River
Usk around Caerleon may also have been utilised as havens for small vessels during any
period. It therefore seems likely that whilst Newport was the primary medieval and post-
medieval port, Caerleon continued to function as an important secondary port throughout these
periods and until the 19th century (Dunning and Howell 2005).
Archaeological interests of later periods are generally concerned with relatively small-scale
industrial activities located above Caerleon along the upper reaches of the Afon Llwyd valley.
The area is of major archaeological importance due to the Roman period sites and also the
potential for important archaeological remains to be discovered buried under alluvial deposits
(Newport Landmap1998).
7
3. Site specific archaeology and zonation

3.1 Archaeological Interests
The register of Sites and Monuments identifies 22 sites of archaeological interest within the
land parcel (Figure 2) including two Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM). No Listed
Buildings, or Registered Landscapes or Parks and Gardens were located within the study area.
Further information relating to these interests can be found in the gazetteer in Appendix IV.
Numbers with a letter suffix are Primary Record Numbers (PRNs) in the regional SMR. Five-
and six figure numbers without a suffix are National Primary Record Numbers (NPRNs) of the
National Monuments Record, as supplied to the SMR under the ENDEX agreement.
Table 1: Identified archaeological interests

ID NGR Name Period Status Value
MM244 ST34439045 Caerleon civil settlement: Site of Roman SAM A
04370g Roman buildings SE of Castle St
05136g
275989
MM262 ST341908 Caerleon Legionary Fortress: Roman SAM A
01383g Former Ambulance Station Field
05154g ST342908 Mill Street buildings Roman None B
04059g ST34109095 Mill Street excavation Roman None B
05894.0g ST341909 Mill Street Roman road Roman None B
05137g ST342908 Mill Medieval None C
05138g ST342908 Mill Medieval None C
05322g ST34239079 Corn mill Medieval None C
04498g ST345912 Great House excavation Modern Extant D
05008g ST34669125 Usk Road excavation Modern Extant D
00647g ST34229116 Pont Sadwrn Post-Medieval None D
05139g ST345911 Skinyard (tannery) Post Medieval None D
05333g ST34479113 Assessment. Skinyard (building) Post-Medieval None D
00649g ST34669125 Caerleon Usk Road cemetery Roman Removed U
00650g ST34899144 St. Hennwg's Unknown None U
04455g ST34579127 Usk Road, inhumation Roman Removed U
04496g ST344907 Tan House Drive excavation Natural None U
08886g ST33518978 Pill Natural None U
3.2 Site zoning

The area can be sub-divided into distinct compartments on the basis of archaeological, natural
and man-made divisions; these zones are labelled A to E on Figures 2 and 3. The greater part
of the landholding lies within two parishes, Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon and Christchurch, but
an isolated part belongs to the parish of Llanhennock. The archaeological background of each
zone is addressed individually. There is however one factor that influences all zones and that is
the action of the rivers.
It is considered that fluvial activity has contributed much to the formation of the existing
landscape and the floodplain is still subject to this dynamic force. Therefore the greatest
influence on the assessment area has been the cutting action of the Rivers Usk and Afon Llwyd
and probably to a lesser extent the Sor Brook; there appears to be little in the way of solid
geology to constrain, interrupt or divert the heading of these channels. During the 1980s, in an
attempt to gain some idea of the development of the course of the Afon Llwyd in recent times,
trial excavation allied with the study of mapping evidence took place in zones C and D. The
results showed an old meander of the Afon Llwyd cutting through the area (Figure 3). Trial pits
8
established that over 3m of grey alluvium lay deposited within the area enclosed by the
meander; similar observations were also made to the north in zone C. In addition the tithe map
(of 1840) records that the fields lay not in the parish of Caerleon but in the adjoining parish of
Christchurch, which was largely on the other side of the river. The inference therefore is that
the parish boundary fossilised the westernmost extent of the course of the Afon Llwyd in
historical times (Evans 2000, 489).
A similar process can be assumed for the course of the River Usk and the Sor Brook. As a
consequence it is also likely that the greater part of any archaeological deposits within the
floodplain may have been destroyed, but in some instances isolated archaeological sites might
survive including the possibility of discovering maritime craft within alluvial deposits.
Zone A
This zone (Figure 2) is located at the north and east of the assessment area and is bounded by
the Usk Road, the Sor Brook and the floodplain of the River Usk and the Afon Llwyd and
comprises the high ground alongside the Usk Road where Roman funerary remains were
discovered in the mid 19th century. The first indication of a Roman cemetery (00649g) occurred
in 1847 when stone coffins, glass vessels and an amber necklace (00455g) were discovered
during cutting for the formation of a railway. Recent evaluation work (05008g) discovered
areas of metalling and two cremation burials on the areas of hard geology but no indication of
any archaeological deposits on the alluvial floodplain (Zone E). Figure 3 shows the locations of
the evaluation trenches; archaeological deposits were found in Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4, 16 and 17.
All these trenches had probable Roman period deposits except Trench 4 where the remains of a
post-medieval trackway were discovered. As modern waste material was noted in Trenches 1,
18a, 18b, 21 and 22, it seems likely that an attempt has been made to extend parts of the higher
ground and also raise the level of the floodplain; the extent of this infilling is not known.
Plate 1: Zones A and E, view to the south shows the railway embankment in middle distance and the
slopes on which the Roman cemetery is located. © GGAT
The field at the west of the known cemetery (00649g) is also the possible site for the chapel of
St. Aaron (See chapter 2.6 Cartographic sources and Appendix II); the building has not been
9
located but the most likely position is suggested to be under the stables adjoining the field
(Evans 2004, 116).
The cremations encountered at Usk Road were likely to form the edge and part of a larger
cemetery discovered in the 19th century and during housing development (04498g) to the west
(Yates 2001). It was common practice in the Roman period to use the roadsides adjacent to
settlements for cemeteries. The Roman road (route RR62a, Y Gaer (Brecon) to Caerleon,
Margary 1957) leaving the east gate of the fortress (05894.0g) has been traced to the edge of
the modern development (Evans 2000) but thereafter its course toward Usk and the location of
the crossing point of the Afon Llwyd is uncertain (see map Appendix II). A straight extension
of the known Roman Road would cross part of Zone C and continue until it meets the present
Usk Road in Zone A. The road alignment has not yet been located and it is possible that it
deviates to the north after crossing the Afon Llwyd, but it is unlikely to be located on the
steeper ground immediately north of the Usk Road; there is also a possibility that part of the
Roman road, if on the same alignment as the Usk Road, was destroyed during construction of
that road. The present bridge across the river, Pont Sadwrn (00647g), which carries the Usk
Road (a turnpike road) across the Afon Llwyd, was originally constructed before 1622
(Bradney 1923).
At the confluence of the Sor Brook with the River Usk is the suggested site for a church
dedicated to St. Gwynnog or Hennwg (00650g); Llanhennock, the village just to the northeast
of the assessment area is derived from the name of the saint. The church site is more likely to
be found on the higher ground to the north of the brook and not in the assessment area, which
is part of the floodplain. A detached part of Llanhennock parish is recorded at the tip of the
spur of land projecting to the northeast, with the River Usk.
There is a high potential for the discovery of further archaeological remains on the high ground
in this zone. Figure 3 shows the areas of potential.
Zone B
Plate 2: Zone B, view to the northeast shows dense tree coverage. River Afon Llwyd in foreground ©
GGAT
10
This zone comprises the land contained by a U-shaped meander of the Afon Llwyd with its
northern boundary defined by an access track to the floodplain that also extends into Zone A
(Figure 2).
The greater part of this area lies on the floodplain but the skinyard and track is built on higher
ground. The only known area of archaeological interest is the skinyard (05139g, 05333g) now
ruinous, of 19th century date. However, because of the high ground and proximity of the
Roman cemetery (Zone A) it may be expected that further funerary remains of Roman date
await discovery in this area.
As in Zone A, there is a high potential for the discovery of further archaeological remains on
the high ground. Figure 3 shows the areas of potential.
Zone C
The north boundary of Zone C follows the course of a field drain to its junction with the River
Afon Llwyd where it then continues to follow a meander of the same river southward before
heading west along another well-defined but minor tidal branch of the river toward Caerleon.
The western boundary follows the limit of modern housing development off Mill Street. All of
this land except for a narrow swathe at the rear of the developed area is designated as
floodplain; the western part is also within the boundary of an Archaeologically Sensitive Area
(Figure 3).
Almost all of Zone C lies in the parish of Christchurch (apportionment 117), which effectively
made it an isolated 'island' within the parish of Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon, and as previously
mentioned may suggest a former course of the Afon Llwyd.
Plate 3: Zone C, general view to the north of floodplain. © GGAT
As Zone C shares a border with the Roman fortress and its environs it might be expected to
possess the greatest potential for the discovery of further Roman period archaeological
remains. In the 1980s, archaeological excavations conducted in advance of housing
development revealed extensive Roman remains comprising buildings and roads on the
western boundary of the assessment area (Evans 2000). These remains (MM 262, 01383g,
04059g, 05154g and 05138g) form part of the eastern suburbs (canabae) of the civilian
11
settlement outside the fortress walls. However, apart from the projected line of the Roman road
(05894.0g), little is known of the archaeological potential, as only limited trial excavations
have taken place on the undeveloped floodplain. A recent report (Sherman and Evans 2004)
mentioned a localised deep band of cobbles eroding out of the east bank of the Afon Llwyd
(ST 34290 91020) and suggested that it may represent the Roman road as it crosses the river;
Roman pottery and possible post settings have also been recorded eroding from the opposite
bank in this location (Tuck and Leaver 2000). A similar band of cobbles can be seen in the
riverbed and the bank at ST 3438 9118. Both cobble formations are broadly on the projected
line of the Roman road however, similar bands of shingle can be seen in the River Usk at ST
34729050 which is not on any road alignment and is thus interpreted as of natural origin; it is
therefore postulated that these deposits are the result of the erosion of natural gravels. Recently
(2005), geophysical survey and subsequent trial pitting (Evans 2006) within Zone C confirmed
Roman deposits just outside of the developed area (ST 3425 9093, T2 (2005), Figure 3) but no
remains were discovered nearer the river edge (ST 3425 9093, T3 (2005), Figure 3); the
geophysical anomalies were attributed to natural springs.
A corn mill (05137g) and fulling mill (05138g) of medieval date are recorded on the western
boundary of the assessment area. The corn mill was first mentioned in 1314 and appears to
have been rebuilt several times. The fulling mill, which stood nearby was also mentioned at the
same date. By 1663 there were two working grain mills but the fulling mill had become a
victim of river movement whereby the water supply had ceased (Usk Barrage report 1991). It is
assumed that the mills drew water from the Afon Llwyd; no trace of the mills or probable leats
has been discovered. The grid position for the mills at the southwestern corner of the boundary
between Zones C and D is not detailed enough to give a precise location and therefore any
archaeological remains may occur in either or both Zones. Another corn mill (05322g) in the
same area is depicted as disused on Ordnance Mapping surveyed in 1881.
The western and part of the northern section of Zone C has the highest potential to the further
discovery of major archaeological remains than any other zone. This is also acknowledged in
the Newport UDP (2005), which has designated these areas as an Archaeologically Sensitive
Area. Figure 3 shows areas of potential.
Zone D
The northern boundary adjoins Zone C and then follows the meander of the Afon Llwyd
further to the northeast before turning east and then southwest until it meets the River Usk
where it turns south and follows the loop of the river. The west boundary leaves the riverside
near Caerleon and heads northward along the rear of the developed land. The greater part of the
land is within the parish of Christchurch but an area between Zone C and Zone D belongs to
the parish of Caerleon; the fields within the Caerleon section (apportionments 182, 183 and
184) are bounded by an old meander of the Afon Llwyd. All the land is within the floodplain
and the western boundary is also designated as an Archaeologically Sensitive Area (Figure 3).
The archaeological concerns in Zone D are mostly of Roman date and include part of the
canabae (MM244, 04370g, 05136g, 275989) located to the south of the fortress walls. The
only Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) within the assessment area is the site of a probable
bath-house (SAM MM244), located in an area of rough riverside pasture on the southwest
boundary. The bath-house was discovered in 1990 when a series of trial pits were cut following
geophysical survey, as part of an environmental impact assessment (Evans 2000, 173-175).
Modern deposits connected with the pumping station and archaeologically sterile areas were
also noted further west, nearer the river edge. Test pits were also cut to the north of the bath
site in the fields to the east of the housing development (04496g); no evidence for Roman
occupation was noted but alluvium was recorded to below 3m from the present ground surface
12
(Evans 2000, 173). Following further geophysical survey another test pit was recently
excavated (ST3450 9038) to the southeast of the SAM (Evans 2006); no Roman remains were
encountered only a compacted surface of modern material which was interpreted as a pathway.
Most of the features registered by geophysical survey techniques were connected with modern
field drains. However, an archaeological explanation is still possible for some of the
geophysical anomalies as their alignments match that of the fortress alignment.
Plate 4: Zone D, general view to the southwest across the floodplain. © GGAT
One other site of interest, located at the southeast boundary of the area, is the unnamed pill
opening onto the River Usk (08886g); there is a possibility that small vessels in all periods may
have used the pills around Caerleon as havens.
As might be expected those areas closest to the fortress (the western and southern boundaries)
have the greatest potential to the discovery of further archaeological remains. The SAM site is
within the designated Archaeologically Sensitive Area (Newport UDP 2003 and 2005). The
remaining area is likely to have been crossed at sometime by the River Afon Llwyd whose
cutting action may well have destroyed any archaeological deposits. Figure 3 shows the areas
of potential.
Zone E
This zone comprises part of the floodplain of the Rivers Usk and Sor Brook and adjoins the
base of the high ground of Zone A. No archaeological sites are known on the floodplain.
The embankment of an abandoned 19th century railway is the only prominent feature of the
landscape in Zone E; the associated masonry remains of a planned bridge to span the River
Afon Llwyd can still be seen downstream of the road bridge. The embankment, around 200m
in length, around 20m wide and up to 3m high, is aligned broadly east/west and is constructed
on the floodplain; it terminates near the bank of the River Usk.
13
3.3 Walkover survey

A walkover survey was conducted on 25th January 2006 to assess the landscape and the known
sites and to look for any previously unrecorded sites. No new sites were discovered. However,
some general observations can be made.
All the fields were under pasture and cattle were noted in Zone D. Ground conditions were
generally dry to the north of the site but became increasingly wet toward the south, particularly
in Zone D where there was also a marked change to a coarser variety of grass. Most of the low-
lying fields showed signs of drainage measures in the form of linear, parallel, shallow
depressions known as grips. Earth bunds to protect against flooding were generally around
0.6m high but in places up to around a metre high. Hedgerows and mature trees line most of
the field and river boundaries. The railway embankment (Zone E) is also lined with mature
trees and a badger sett was noted in the embankment at ST 3480 9126. The hedgerow species
appeared to be similar to that found across the River Usk on the site of the new Ryder Cup
Golf Course. In addition, mature trees and scrub line the watercourses surrounding the parcels
of land in the Caerleon parish between area C and D. Zone B was dense with scrub and trees
particularly at its southern end. This would suggest that the land had not been actively managed
or used for animal grazing which as a consequence allowed the growth of trees and scrub.
Only two buildings are recorded within the assessment area, the buildings in the skinyard
(05139g) and a small shed at ST 91213448, both are ruinous and covered by scrub. However,
there are other buildings on the boundary including a bungalow on the line of the old railway
embankment and a series of sheds used as stables on the western boundary of Zone A; access
to the stables and the skinyard is gained from a metalled track that leads to the floodplain from
the Usk Road. Below the stables the track falls within the assessment area; a large swathe of
modern dumped materials were observed covering the lower part of the route to the edge of the
River Usk. The track allows access to Zones A, B and E alone. Zones A, B and E are separated
from Zones C and D by the River Afon Llwyd; there is no crossing point over the river within
the assessment landholding. Zones C and D are accessed from a stub road in a housing estate at
ST 3434 9064 and a track at ST 3430 9050.
In addition to the above observations, three electricity transmission lines were observed
crossing the area; two lines cross Zones B, C and D and one line crosses the easternmost tip of
Zone E. Raised manholes indicating a pipeline network was noted in Zones C and D and an
outfall discharging into the River Usk can be seen at ST 3467 9042.
3.4 Cartographic sources

There is little change depicted in the assessment area from the date of the earliest mapping to
the present; the meander pattern of the rivers is also broadly similar which possibly reflects a
slow rate of change attributed to erosion. The tithe maps of 1840 show the area as mostly
pasture, mead (meadow) and isolated arable fields. However, a field (Appendix I,
apportionment 520) on the high ground at the northwest of Zone A (ST 3450 9117) has the
name 'Copper Field'. The field bearing this name may be the site or near the site of the chapel
of St Aaron one of the earliest Christian martyrs in the country (See Appendix II). Although
the site has been the subject of archaeological excavation, the existence of the early medieval
chapel has not been proved but the combination of a Roman cemetery with church-owned
lands points to a possible Early Medieval ecclesiastical site (Evans 2004, 114-18).
Ordnance mapping dating from 1881-1882 shows similar boundaries to the tithe maps although
the tithe maps depict more field boundaries. Two features of interest are shown on OS
mapping, a corn mill and a clay pit. The corn mill (05322g) between Zone C and D was
probably in use in 1881, but is shown as disused by 1901. The clay pit was noted at the west
14
angle (ST 3432 9038) of Zone D near the existing sewage works and SAM MM244; no pit is
shown in 1881 but by 1901 it is annotated as 'old clay pit'. Neither corn mill or clay pit is
extant.
It is almost certain that the lack of development in the greater part of the assessment area is
entirely due to regular flooding of the fields.
No rights of way were noted crossing the assessment area (The Definitive Map of Public
Rights of Way, 1/10,000 scale, Sheet ST 39 SW, undated (possibly 1974), Newport Reference
Library).
15
4. National and Local Planning Constraints and Policies

Apart from the known and potential archaeological sites within the assessment area the site is
also subject to statutory and non-statutory constraints and policies.
There are a number of statutory and non-statutory instruments that have a bearing on the
assessment area. The greater part of the assessment area is designated as floodplain (U7,
Newport Unitary Development Plan 2003 and 2005); only the higher ground to the north and a
small tract of land adjacent to the existing housing development of Caerleon lies outside the
floodplain. Furthermore, the eastern outskirts of Caerleon, adjoining current development, is
designated an Archaeologically Sensitive Area (CE26). In addition to the Hedgerow
Regulations (Countryside 1997 no. 1160), sections CE12 and CE13 cover local planning
guidelines for future proposals that may impact on secondary woodland (CE12) and the trees
and hedgerows (CE13) that mark old and current field boundaries in the assessment area.
One Ancient Monument protected through enactment of the provisions of the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 is present in the assessment area. This is the
Roman building southeast of Castle Street, (SAM Mm 244, PRNs 04370g, 05136g and
275989). Any development in this area would need prior consent from the National Assembly
of Wales.
Advice regarding to works on an ancient monument or its setting are covered by Planning
Policy Guidance (Wales) and Welsh Office Circular 60/96- Planning and the Historic
Environment. PG Wales states that ‘where nationally important archaeological remains,
whether scheduled or unscheduled, and their settings are affected by proposed development,
there should be a presumption in favour of their physical preservation’. This is taken forward
into the Newport City Council, Newport Unitary Development Plan 1996–2011 with an
addition ‘not all monuments worthy of protection are scheduled and the County Borough will
seek to protect unscheduled sites in appropriate cases’ (para. 2.99, NUDP, 2003 and 2005).
There are no listed buildings in the assessment area. However, The Planning (Listed Buildings
and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requires consideration to be given to the desirability of the
setting of a Listed Building. Existing guidance recognises that ‘new uses may be the key to the
preservation of a building….and controls over land use….and other planning matters should
be exercised sympathetically where this would enable an historic building or area to be given a
new lease of life’. There are a number of listed buildings to the west of Zone D on the opposite
bank of the River Usk. It is considered unlikely that any future proposals in this part of Zone D
would affect the setting of these listed buildings.
In addition to specific policies reflecting requirements of underlying legislation, Newport City
Council, Newport Unitary Development Plan 1996–2011 (2003 and 2005) contains some
specific designations and requirements.
Part of the site lies within the defined archaeologically sensitive area of Caerleon (CE26) The
Archaeologically Sensitive Area includes ‘the area of the fortress, the suspected boundaries of
the civilian settlement, the associated cemeteries and also includes the small hamlet of
Bulmore’ (para. 2.105, NUDP, 2003 and 2005). The relevant policy and accompanying advice
requires any planning application to be accompanied by ‘details of all proposed ground works
and services, along with a written assessment of the likely archaeological impact of the
development’. This assessment partially explores the requirement of the policy.
Policy CE27 (para. 2.109 to 2.110) covers archaeological evaluation. The policy requires that
‘where development is likely to affect a known or suspected site of archaeological significance,
further information (which may include archaeological field evaluation) will be required
16
before the proposal is determined, so that the effect of the proposed development on the
archaeological resource can be determined’. It is likely that this policy will be initiated should
development proposals be forwarded that encroach on those areas highlighted in Figure 3.
Policy CE28 covers ‘permitted development on a site of archaeological interest’ where it is not
‘feasible to preserve the remains in situ the developer will be required to implement, prior to
the commencement of the development, or as part of it, measures to mitigate the effect on the
remains, which may include the carrying out of prior excavations and recording the
archaeological evidence’. It is likely that this policy will be initiated should development
proposals be forwarded that encroach on those areas highlighted in Figure 3.
Policy CE29 refers to Historic Landscapes, Parks and Gardens. There are no designated
historic landscaped parks or gardens in the assessment area.
The Conservation and the Environment chapter (Part II, NUDP, 2003) is concerned with
sustainability of the environment. Policies CE12, Secondary Woodland and policy CE13, Trees
and Hedgerows on development sites are relevant here. The site contains a number of trees and
hedgerows, some of whose boundaries are traceable on cartographic sources.
Policy CE12 states that ‘ planning permission for development or change of use which would
damage or destroy trees growing in secondary woodland which is worthy of retention will only
be granted where all the following conditions are met
1. The proposal would not have an acceptably detrimental impact on the nature
conservation and biodiversity value, archaeological value, landscape interest, amenity
value, or the continuity of the woodland;
2. The loss is mitigated with the creation of at least an equal area of new, native mixed
planting appropriate to the region and locality;
3. The developer makes provision for both new and existing woodland to be managed in
accordance with an agreed management programme.
The secondary (non-ancient) woodlands are ‘defined as woods on sites which have not been
continuously wooded since 1600 but which have acquired a tree cover on what was previously
open land’ (para. 2.59). However, ‘effective preservation does not preclude the controlled
felling of identified individual trees from time to time’ (para. 2.60). In addition to attractive
trees, rural areas have a significant network of field boundary hedgerows…whether historic or
not, most of these hedrows are important for their contribution to the character and
appearance of Newport’s landscape. The Council will use the enabling powers of the
Hedgerow Regulations 1997 to ensure retention of important hedgerows…’ (para 2.61).
The regulations were the subject of a review by the Department of the Environment, Transport
and the Regions, Review of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (1998), which suggested a
simplified set of criteria, notably to include all pre-1845 or pre-1800 hedgerows where the field
system is substantially complete. The most recent statement from the Government (The
Government’s response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee’s
Report ‘The Protection of Field Boundaries’ 1999) noted the proposed changes but has not
endorsed them. The 1997 criteria therefore remain in force.
The criteria of historic importance in The Hedgerow Regulations 1997 can be summarised as:
 marking a parish or township boundary
 incorporating or associated with a Scheduled Ancient Monument or site on the SMR (at
the relevant date)
17
 marking a pre-1600 AD manor or estate boundary, or related to a building of such a

manor or estate
 an integral part of a field system pre-dating Parliamentary enclosure shown on an estate
map
The criteria of the Regulations are intended to be applied individually rather than cumulatively,
yielding a straightforward test of ‘importance’. In many cases, however, the strict application
of the criteria is problematic (e.g. archaeological sites discovered since April 1997, or the
definition of a field system as pre-Parliamentary enclosure or substantially complete).
Policy CE13 covers trees and Hedgerows on Development sites. This policy states that
‘planning permission will only be granted for development which would damage or destroy
one or more trees which are protected or which are worthy of protection or hedgerows which
have amenity or wildlife value, where:
1. there is demonstrable environmental, economic or social need for development
sufficient to outweigh the amenity and biodiversity value of the trees or hedgerows;
2. the trees or hedgerows can be replaced within the site boundary in a manner which
ensures that there is no unacceptably detrimental impact upon the character and visual
amenity of the area nor to local biodiversity’
Hedgerows which are not within a domestic curtilage are now subject to the provisions of The
Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (para 2.63). Further paragraphs (2.64 to 2.69) refer to preservation
of such features, justification for removal and policies to protect roots during development.
It is likely that many of the hedgerows in the assessment area and the particularly the trees
lining the old railway embankment may fall within policies CE12 and CE13 outlined above.
It is not known whether any Tree Preservation Orders are in force on the site.
18
5. Summary of archaeological potential

The known archaeological interests within the landholding are broadly contained within a
swathe of land bordering the north and west boundaries of the site and includes all of Zone A
and parts of Zones B to D (Figure3). The highest, medium and low archaeological potential
areas are supplementary to those areas designated as an Archaeologically Sensitive Area in the
Newport Unitary Development Plan. The archaeological potentials are based on best available
knowledge.
Zone A
Zone A is an area of highest archaeological potential due to previously discovered Roman
artefacts and funerary remains and, in addition, the area may be the location for remains related
to St Aaron's chapel.
Zone B
Zone B has both medium and low archaeological potential areas. A small part of the area to the
north has medium archaeological potential which reflects the possibility of remains being
discovered adjacent to the line of the projected Roman road leaving the fortress. An area
surrounding the skinyard has been designated a low potential area; this addresses the
possibility that archaeological remains from Zone A extend to this area.
Zone C
Three areas of archaeological potential are highlighted for Zone C. These include areas of
highest and medium potential and also part of the Archaeologically Sensitive Area designated
in the Newport UDP. The highest and the medium potential areas account for the possibility of
encountering remains of the Roman civilian settlement that may be aligned along the route of
the Roman road to Usk. A similar area of high and medium archaeological potential can be
postulated for those parcels of land outside of the landholding ownership to the north of Zone
C.
Zone D
A statutory protected scheduled ancient monument is located within Zone D and, as its full
extent is not yet known, an area surrounding the monument has been designated as of highest
archaeological potential; this area also coincides with the Archaeologically Sensitive Area
designated in the Newport UDP. The low potential areas of Zone D reflect not only the
possibility of discovering further remains of the Roman civilian settlement but also the later
mills that were known to be located in the area between Zones C and D. In addition, an area of
low archaeological potential surrounds the riverside pill. This is in recognition of the
possibility of discovering remains associated with maritime craft.
Zone E
At present Zone E has no designation of archaeological potential. It is unlikely that
archaeological deposits will be discovered in this area due to the cutting action of the rivers,
which have probably destroyed potential archaeological deposits.
The remaining parts of the landholding areas of Zones B, C and D without any designation are
considered to be similar to that of Zone E.
19
Bibliography
Bradney J A, 1923, The History of Monmouthshire Vol 111: Part 2, the Hundred of Usk,
(1993 reprint Merton Priory Press, Cardiff), 192.
Dunning R, and Howell K, 2005, Waterfronts in Southeast Wales: Phase 2, Volume 1, GGAT
unpublished report 2005/039.
Environmental Statement, 2000, Welsh Rugby Union, Centre of Excellence, Chapter 6, 99-100.
Evans E M, 1990, Proposed Development on Land to the East of Caerleon, GGAT
unpublished report.
Evans E M, 2000, The Caerleon canabae: excavations in the civil settlement 1984-90,
Britannia Monograph 16.
Evans E M, 2004, Early Medieval Ecclesiastical sites in southeast Wales: rapid field survey of
selected sites, Unpublished GGAT report 2004/019.
Evans E M, 2006, Roman Roads and Vici in Southeast Wales: Year 4 report, GGAT
unpublished report.
Howell R, 2004, From the Fifth to the Seventh Century, in Aldhouse-Green M and Howell R,
(editors), The Gwent County History Volume 1, Gwent in Prehistory and Early History, 244-
268.
Lee J E 1862, Isca Silurum or an Illustrated Catalogue of the Museum of Antiquities of
Caerleon, Longman, London.
Manning W, 2004, The Romans: Conquest and the Army, in Aldhouse-Green M and Howell R
(editors) The Gwent County History, Volume 1, Gwent in Prehistory and Early History. 178-
243.
Margary I D, 1957, Roman Roads in Britain, Vol 2, London.
National Library Wales, Tredegar Mss/167, 172.
Newport City Council, Newport Unitary Development plan 1996-2011, Statement of Decisions
and Reasons, November 2005.
Newport City Council, Newport Unitary Development plan 1996-2011, 2nd Proposed Changes
to Deposit Plan, May 2003.
Newport Landmap 1998, Landscape Working for Newport, Historical Aspects GGAT 1998.
Sherman A, and Evans E, 2004, Roman roads in South East Wales: Desk-based assessment
with recommendations for fieldwork, unpublished GGAT report 2004/073.
Tuck M, and Leaver A, 2000, Millmead, Caerleon, Archaeology in Wales, Volume 40, 97.
Yates, A, 2001, The New Championship Course, Celtic Manor, Newport: supplement to the
Environmental Statement, archaeological field evaluation final report, GGAT unpublished
report 2001/040.
20
Cartographic Sources
Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon tithe map and apportionment, 1840, Newport Reference Library.
Christchurch tithe map and apportionment, 1840, Newport Reference Library.
Ordnance Survey 6'' map Sheet XXIX 1881-1882, Newport Reference Library.
Ordnance Survey 6'' map Sheet XXIX SW 1918, revision of 1917 with additions 1918,
Newport Reference Library.
Ordnance Survey 25'' map Sheet XXIX .9, 2nd edition 1901, Newport Reference Library.
Ordnance Survey 25'' map Sheet XXIX .9, edition of 1920, Newport Reference Library.
21
Appendix I
Summary of data from the Tithe Map of Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon parish (1840)
Parcel No. Landlord Tenant Name Use
182 John Williams William James Mead
185 Thomas Evans William Rogers Pasture
186 Sir Digby Mackworth William and Edward Jones Part of Mill Mead Mead
188 Sir Digby Mackworth William and Edward Jones Angel A-----? Mead
189 Capel Hanbury Leigh Anne Gibby Pasture
190 Sir Digby Mackworth William and Edward Jones Formerly part of Mill Arable
Mead
191 Capel Hanbury Leigh Philip Leonard Pasture
191a Revd. Daniel Jones John Davies Plantation
520 Revd. Daniel Jones John Davies Copper field Mead
521 Capel Hanbury Leigh Philip Leonard Cae Perbren ? Pasture
522 Capel Hanbury Leigh Philip Leonard Waun Wern Pasture
523 Capel Hanbury Leigh Philip Leonard Pasture
524 Edward Waters James Price Mead
525 Revd. Daniel Jones John Davies Pasture
526 William Baker James Price Mead
527 William Baker James Price Mead
527a William Baker James Price Mead
528 William Baker John Davies Pasture
529 Edward Waters James Price Mead
Apportionment (parcel no.) numbers 189 to 191a are to the north of Zone C outside the assessment area
and are included here because they comprise undeveloped land on the border of the landholding. In
addition a small parcel of land (384) belonging to Llanhennock parish (tithe of 1840) lies to the east of
parcel numbers 526 and 528; this area is not tabled but is in the ownership of Capel Hanbury Leigh,
tenanted by Philip Leonard and used as mead.
Summary of data from the Tithe Map of Christchurch parish (1840)
Parcel No. Landlord Tenant Name Use
112 Sir Digby Mackworth Allen Arblaster The Merges Pasture
113 Sir Digby Mackworth Allen Arblaster Pasture
114 Sir Digby Mackworth Allen Arblaster Arable
117 Sir Digby Mackworth William Edward Jones The Mill Mead Pasture
118 Sir Digby Mackworth Thomas Gunter Arable
119 Sir Digby Mackworth Thomas Gunter Pasture
22
Land either side of the Afon Llwyd River between the River Usk, the Usk Road and Caerleon, Newport: archaeological assessment
Extract of Tithe Map of Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon parish (1840). Plan also shows fields belonging to Christchurch parish.
23
Appendix II
Extract from Early Medieval ecclesiastical sites in southeast Wales (Evans 2004)
St Aaron’s Chapel, Caerleon
Name
Number D11
Type Church, ? nunnery
NGR ST34139177
PRNs 00649g, Roman cemetery, 00653g (church)
Visit date 08/01/04
Description The chapel of St Aaron has had a rather shadowy existence in the archaeological and
antiquarian literature. St Aaron, with St Julian, was one of the two saints martyred in
the Diocletianic persecutions at a location which has generally been accepted as
Caerleon (Boon 1992, 11-2). An entry in the Book of Llandaff (LL225), which is
headed ‘de merthir Iun et Aaron’ records the regrant in c 864 (Davies 1979, 121) of ‘all
the territory of the holy martyrs Julian and Aaron’ (totum territorium sanctorum
Martium Iulii et Aaron). This is a single block of land lying on one side of the River
Usk, presumably the east side, since it refers to the allt. A chapel or chapels 1 of SS
Julius and Aaron and Alban] was given to the priory at Goldcliff in 1290: ‘ecclesia
sanctorum Julii et Aaron atque Albani cum omnibus pertinentiis suis et ecclesiam
Sancte Marie Magdalene de Goldcliva’ (Cal Charter Rolls vol 2, 1257-1300, p362).
The problem is in determining how many chapels there were. Levison (1941, 340-3)
argues that there was a single chapel, originally dedicated just to SS Julian and Aaron, to
whom was later added St Alban.
There seems to be virtually no dispute as to the site of St Julian’s chapel. This lay at
ST32418995, near the house called St Julians, and was recorded by Coxe (1801, 104-5)
as ‘an old barn of small dimensions…on the south wall are remains of an arched
entrance which is now half filled up: the east & west windows may be traced & a small
gothic doorway to the west still remains. The house of St Julians was demolished in the
mid 20th century and the site is now built over. Coxe (1801, 95) was told that there
were two other separate chapels: to St Aaron ‘at Penros’ [sic]; and to St Alban, ‘which
was constructed on an eminence to the east of Caerleon, overlooking the Usk. A yew
tree marks the site; an adjoining piece of land is still called the chapel yard, and in 1785
several stone coffins were discovered in digging for the foundations of a new house’.
Bradney (1933, 305) quotes part of a deed of 1495 which refers to the overseers of St
Alban’s church (procurators ecclesie Sancti Albon de Kairlion). 2 Knight (1993, 2-3)
follows Levison in seeing a single church dedicated to all three saints, but places it at St
Albans, on the ground that one of the four known Early Christian monuments from
Gwent came from Bulmore, which lies at the bottom of the hill on which St Albans
stands, but since the exact findspot and circumstances of discovery are unknown, too
much weight cannot be placed on this.
1
P Depending on the expansion.
2
P Though there is no evidence that the tenement named in the deed was anywhere near the chapel site; all the
evidence indicates that St Albans was always in the parish of Christchurch, and there is no reason to doubt the
continuity between the chapel and the house later known as St Albans, in the same way that the St Julian’s chapel
site became the house known as St Julians. Bradney quotes other documents to indicate that the Powell family was
known as ‘of St Albans’ in Christchurch from at least 1624.
24
Taking all the evidence together, there seems little reason to doubt that St Alban’s was a
separate church, 3 but it is more difficult to establish whether St Aaron’s had an
independent existence. The tradition of a separate church of St Aaron goes back to
Gerald of Wales, who was informed that Caerleon originally had three churches, one
dedicated to St Julian and served by a community of nuns, one dedicated to St Aaron
and served by a chapter of canons, and the third being the metropolitan church of Wales
(p115 of the Penguin translation). The metropolitan church (an obsession with Gerald)
is unlikely; 4 to what extent Gerald’s other information is correct can only be guessed at.
The ecclie de Seint Aron is listed amongst the smaller churches in the deanery of
Netherwent in the Taxatio of Pope Nicholas IV (c 1291). The Book of Llandaff entry
suggests that the martyrs were honoured together at a site on the east bank of the Usk;
the details of their passio suggests that this may have been the site of the martyrdom
(Boon 1992, 11-2).
The mid 19th century Monmouthshire antiquary Octavius Morgan places St Aaron’s on
the outskirts of Caerleon: ‘Rev Canon Edwards has kindly superintended an excavation
in a field near the copper-field, half a mile from Caerleon on the Usk Road, in the hope
of discovering the chapel of St Aaron (who was martyred here with St Julius in the
Diocletianic persecution), which is believed to have been in this direction. Some small
pieces of window glass and plaster and foundations of walls and of mortar floor were
found, but nothing to indicate the nature of the building’ (Morgan 1882, iv).
Examination of the tithe map indicates that the field called the Copper Field is centred at
ST34509117 just above a bend in the River Usk, close to, but not on, the boundary with
Christchurch. It is quarter-circle in shape, but the curve may be the result of the natural
topography, since it is part of a rounded knoll rising above the river. Nothing can be
seen of any continuation of the curve as a boundary or former boundary to the east
either on the ground or in the geophysical survey which was carried out in 1989; to the
north the site has been built over, but there was no evidence on the tithe map. Fields in
this area adjacent to both sides of the road are recorded as belonging to the church, the
Copper Field itself which is listed at the end of the apportionment after the church and
churchyard and marked as being ‘in hand’, and eight fields forming part of the glebe.
This was one of the cemeteries for Roman Caerleon (PRN 00649g), discovered when
‘six or seven’ stone sarcophagi and associated pottery and jewellery and an inscription
(RIB 356) were found in the cutting for an abortive railway in the 19th century. This
cutting is still traceable immediately north of the Copper Field, though it has now been
partially filled in. Other Roman burials (in this case cremations) have been noted over
the road at Twyn Oaks (PRN 00658g). This makes it a credible location for the growth
of a cult over the grave of one or both martyrs, separate from the cult at the place of
martyrdom.
The phrasing of the description of the antiquarian excavations suggests that they took
place on the same side of the road as the Copper Field. This area has been the subject of
a fair amount of archaeological exploration, though not with the aim of looking for
Early Medieval or Medieval remains, since its possible identification with the site of St
Aaron’s was unknown at the time. In all cases this has been intended to test it for
evidence of the Roman cemetery. A geophysical survey was carried out in 1989 (Gater
and Gaffney 1989) and examined three areas. These have been plotted as accurately as
possible on the map, but there seem to have been problems with the survey which laid
them out and their positions cannot be regarded as definitive, particularly area 1, for
which there is only a sketch location and no measured points. None of the areas
produced any results which can be interpreted as relating to an Early Medieval
ecclesiastical site. In addition, two trial excavations have been carried out in the field
adjacent to the Copper Field. The one in 1990 (Evans 1990) consisted of two trial pits
(TP28 and TP29), testing features noted during the geophysical survey, but proved to be
completely abortive. The excavation in 2001 (Yates 2001) in the field adjacent to the
3
There is no reason to doubt Levison’s basic argument, that St Alban was added to the local saints at a fairly late
date to produce a full set of Romano-British martyrs, but it would equally apply to a patron wishing to found a
new chapel in the neighbourhood of Caerleon.
4
Although St Cadoc’s does seem to have been a major church, as attested by another of the four Early Christian
monuments in Gwent.
25
Copper Field produced evidence for two cremations (in T3 and T16) but nothing
suggestive of Early Medieval date. It would appear that the most likely part of the
cemetery which might have developed into an Early Medieval ecclesiastical site is the
western part, where the sarcophagi were found. No evidence, however, was found for
any buildings, such as that noted in Morgan’s account of the 19th century excavations;
the only possible associated anomaly is to the north of the smallholding buildings,
which were interpreted as being related to them.
The field visit failed to identify any feature which could securely be associated with any
Early Medieval activity. The quarter-circle boundary to the west and south of the
Copper Field was a narrow belt of trees, mainly hawthorn, probably a grown-out hedge,
with possible slight traces of a bank but none of any ditch. The field contains a small (c
5.5m) circular earthwork slightly terraced into the slope, with a raised rim on the
downhill side but this appears to have been formed by cattle trampling around a feeder
located in this position at some time. No other surface feature showed either in this field
(Plate 53) or the adjacent one where the 1990 and 2000 trial excavations took place
(Plate 54). The line of the quarter-circle boundary did not continue into this field; the
rounded knoll which roughly continues the line seems to be a purely natural topographic
feature.
The existence of St Aaron’s still remains shadowy. In particular, the site of the
building, which on Morgan’s account might have been a church though it could not be
proved, has not been located; the most likely position for it seems to be under the
smallholding complex next to the Copper Field (most of the buildings of which seem to
be fairly insubstantial). It is not clear either whether the identification of St Aaron’s in
this location is a genuine continuous tradition, or whether it is the result of back-
projection from the fact that inhumations have been found here. Nevertheless, the
combination of a Roman cemetery with church-owned lands does point to a possible
genuine Early Medieval ecclesiastical site.
Recommendations Monitor any development proposals

Further trial excavation might be of use, particularly towards the southwestern part of
the site.
Area of the site of St Aaron,s. Key: Blue square: ecclesiastical site; Black star: photograph; Red - enclosure;
Purple shaded - glebe; Maroon - area of geophysical survey; Pink - trial excavations. Crown Copyright Licence
Number GD272221
26
Appendix III
Aerial photographs
The following is a list of the aerial photographs with coverage of the evaluation area held by
the Central Registry of Air Photography for Wales. The photographs were examined but
revealed no sites not already known from documentary sources. However the following was
noted:
Frames 5070/5071 from Sortie CPE UK 2326 (1947) and frames 5991, 33-35 Geonex (NRSC)
01/08/1991 likely show the site of the Roman building (SAM MM244); it appears as a
trapezoidal shape.
Frames 4226-4227 from Sortie 58 RAF 676 (1951) show the suggested site of St Aaron's
chapel (Appendix II) under the stables/smallholding as a rectangular pattern of white lines.
However, it is more likely that an area has been fenced and that animals have created a path
that follows the fence thereby giving rise to a difference in ground vegetation, evident in the
photographs.
The skinyard (05139g) appears extant and clear of scrub up to 1983 thereafter deterioration
becomes evident. Zone B is generally clear of vegetation until the same time.
Clear land drainage measures are visible as parallel lines in all Zones. Hay cropping also
appears to be taking place on the floodplain.
Erosion to the riverbanks and silting caused by the Afon Llwyd between Zones C and B was
noticeable throughout the date range of the photographs; this indicates a rapid rate of change to
the northern parts of the floodplain. Shingle banks were also noted along the stretch of the
same river. No trace of former courses of the rivers was noted.
Sortie OS 85 080, frames 3-4, show probable disturbance to the cemetery area off Usk Road
where wheel tracks can be seen.
RAF Sorties
Sortie Scale Date Frames
CPE UK 1828 1:9840 04/11/1946 3115, 3039
CPE UK 1997 1:9800 13/04/1947 3052, 3033
CPE UK 2267 1:29000 29/08/1947 5054
CPE UK 2326 1:4800 26/09/1947 5024, 5047, 5072
CPE UK 2509 1:28600 13/04/1948 5042
540 RAF 205 1:28000 10/05/1949 5003
58 RAF 535 1:20400 03/08/1950 5025, 5058
58 RAF 676 1:10000 12/05/1951 4203 - 4205, 4226 - 4228
82 RAF 1104 1:5000 10/03/1955 125, 126, 138
58 RAF 5154 various 01/06/1962 F22: 105 - 108 ; 46, 47
58 RAF 5516 various 17/10/1962 F22: 22. V35
58 RAF 5502 various 03/10/1962 V15
58 RAF 8659 1:15600 18/03/1968 F43/44: 126
39 RAF 3764 various 18/03/1968 F41/42: 94
27
Ordnance Survey
OS 63 074 1:24000 31/05/1963 7
OS 65 126 1:10000 30/06/1965 18
OS 67 089 1:7500 10/05/1967 95
OS 79 130 1:24400 22/09/1979 225, 226
OS 85 080 1:10800 31/05/1985 4, 5; 13, 14
OS 95 247 1:5300 08/10/1995 11,12
OS 96 563 1:7900 06/05/1996 2,3
OS 96 281 1:8100 31/08/1996 5, 6
OS 99 944 1:8602 23/07/1999 492 - 494
OS 99 348 1:5200 09/09/1999 20 - 22; 54 - 56
Commercial Sorties
Medmenham 1:33600 17/08/1940 A16
BKS 1:12000 01/06/1971 649824 - 827
MAFF 1:10000 03/07/1983 104, 105
MAFF 1:12000 10/06/1984 208: 28, 29. 209: 245, 246
JA Story 1:20000 28/04/1985 0985: 120, 121
Geonex 1:5000 01/07/1991 9491: 184 - 186; 232, 233
Geonex 1:10000 01/08/1991 5991: 33 –35
Getmapping 1:10000 01/08/2000 digital, on screen
28
Appendix IV
Gazetteer of archaeological interests
ID NGR
MM244 / 04370g / 05136g / 275989 ST 34439045
NAME PERIOD
CAERLEON CIVIL SETTLEMENT: Roman
DESCRIPTION
Remains of a bath house excavated by Dr Evans in 1990. The area was examined as part of an
environmental impact assessment. Geophysical survey identified a number of areas of archaeological
potential and subsequent trial pits proved the existence of a massive Roman masonry building; a
succession of cut features was noted in its vicinity, below a rubble deposit which was probably derived
from the building. Substantial cobble deposits (at c. 7.4m OD) were also noted. Fragments of tufa and a
piece of painted wall-plaster with a curved surface suggested that the building was vaulted and perhaps
apsed. (Evans 2000, 173)
Type Condition Status

Civil settlement Not known SAM
Rarity Group association Historical association
High Very High High
Confidence Value Effect

Very High A NA
ID NGR
MM262 / 01383g / 04059g / 05154g / 05894.0g ST341908
NAME PERIOD
CAERLEON LEGIONARY FORTRESS: Roman
DESCRIPTION
Extensive archaeological excavations took place in the canabae on the northeastern side of the fortress
between 1984 and 1990 (Evans 2000). The Roman road (05894.0g) exiting the eastern gate porta
principalis sinistra of the fortress crossed the area that is now a scheduled ancient monument (SAM
Mm262). Immediately to the east of the scheduled area it intersected with a road that appeared to form
an extramural route around the fortress. Buildings including stone-built structures, timber frame
buildings and probable mud-brick buildings were found on either side of both roads with side roads
coming off the extramural road.

Buildings Near intact SAM
High High Unknown -low

High A NA
29
ID NGR
00428g ST35209020
NAME PERIOD
CAERLEON BULMORE ROAD CEMETERY Roman
DESCRIPTION
Numerous interments have been found, and also fragments of tombstones. The ground has been
nearly all dug over to form a potato garden, so that probably nothing further will be brought to light

CEMETERY Moved None

Medium High Unknown low

High B NA
ID NGR
00647g ST34229116
NAME PERIOD
PONT SADWRN Post-Medieval
DESCRIPTION
A document of 1677 defining the bounds of the manor of Edlogan states that it extends from Sore
Bridge "along the highway towards a bridge called Pont Saturne."

Bridge Restored None

Low Unknown Unknown -low

Low C NA
30
ID NGR
00649g ST34669125
NAME PERIOD
CAERLEON USK ROAD Roman
DESCRIPTION
Six or seven' stone sarcophagi and associated pottery and jewellery, includes RIB 356 discovered
during the cutting of a Monmouthshire branch of the South Wales Railway (later abandoned). Site first
discovered during railway cutting (1847) and a cemetery proved when the later turnpike road to Usk
was made which cut through the same hill close to the railway. The first stone coffin was buried
around three feet six inches below the surface of the ground. Apart from the coffins other objects
including a bronze lamp, glassware and pottery were discovered (Isca Silurum 1862, 49-50 and Arch.
Cambrensis, Vol iii, 187)

CEMETERY Moved None

Medium High Unknown-low

High B NA
ID NGR
00650g ST34899144
NAME PERIOD
ST HENNWG'S Unknown
DESCRIPTION
Tradition of a church in Llanhennock parish built by Taliesin and dedicated either to his father, St
Hennwg, or to St Gwynnog.

CHURCH Unknown None

Low Unknown Possible -high

Low U NA
31
ID NGR
04455g ST34579127
NAME PERIOD
USK ROAD Roman
DESCRIPTION
Amber bead necklace of some 40 beads found in 1926, now lost. Associated with a Roman
inhumation cemetery. See PRN 0649g.

Finds Moved None


Medium Unknown NA
ID NGR
04496g ST344907
NAME PERIOD
TAN HOUSE DRIVE Modern
DESCRIPTION
A series of test pits was excavated mechanically in the field to the east of Tanhouse Drive. All pits
indicated that the alluvium in this area extended to below 3m from the present ground surface. The
excavation revealed no features of Roman date.

EXCAVATION Not known None


High Unknown NA
32
ID NGR
04498g ST345912
NAME PERIOD
GREAT HOUSE Modern
DESCRIPTION
Trial excavations at Great House revealed a considerable depth of post-medieval leveling, but no
archaeological features.

Excavation Not known Extant


Very high D NA
ID NGR
05008g ST34669125
NAME PERIOD
USK ROAD Modern
DESCRIPTION
Evaluation see Appendix II St Aarons. Evidence for two cremations of probable Roman date
See also 00649g

EXCAVATION Extant None


Very High D NA
33
ID NGR
05137g ST342908
NAME PERIOD
SITE NAME NOT KNOWN Medieval
DESCRIPTION
This is a mill first mentioned in 1314 (PRO Sc6/ 1202/ 6m) and by 1663 there were two grain mills
working in the same area (NLW Tredegar Mss/167, 172).

Mill Not known None


Low C NA
ID NGR
05138g ST342908
NAME PERIOD
SITE NAME NOT KNOWN Medieval
DESCRIPTION
This is a fulling mill first mentioned in 1314 (PRO Sc6/ 1202/ 6m). By 1663 there were two grain mills
working in the same area but the fulling mill had become a victim of the movement of the river. A lease
of the mills described it as: 'one fulling mill now out of reparation (having not water running there to)'
(NLW Tredegar Mss/167, 172)

Mill Not known None


Low C NA
34
ID NGR
05139g ST345911
NAME PERIOD
SKINYARD Post-Medieval
DESCRIPTION
Skinyard (tannery) extant in 1988 as a range of buildings. See also 05333g

TANNERY Ruin None

Medium D NA
ID NGR
05322g ST34239079
NAME PERIOD
SITE NAME NOT KNOWN Post-Medieval
DESCRIPTION
Corn mill marked on Tithe map (1840). Also marked as disused on later OS maps

Corn Mill Not known None

Unknown Unknown Unknown

Low Unknown NA
35
ID NGR
05333g ST34479113
NAME PERIOD
Skin Yard Post-Medieval
DESCRIPTION
GGAT Assessment of land East of Caerleon 1990. Skin Yard (tannery) extant as a range of buildings
in 1988.

BUILDING Ruin None


Medium D NA
ID NGR
08886g ST3351189778
NAME PERIOD
Pill Natural
DESCRIPTION
An unnamed pill which is depicted on the 1st edition OS map (1883). The pill is approximately 80m in
length and around 10m wide at its mouth where it opens into the River Usk. The feature is
aligned north-south and no meanders were apparent, furthermore no silting was noted.

Pill Damaged None

Low High Unknown -low

Low Unknown NA
36
Land either side of the Afon Llwyd River between the River Usk, the Usk Road and Caerleon, Newport: archaeological assessment
1449
E
OS
BE E CL
LL RG
IN FO
C LO 1644
SE SL
50
.8m
Sh
Issues LB
ing
le
Rises
Mud
Penrhos
N
Cottage
TH
E
BR
46.0m Drain
AD
Saint Arons
04455g
ES
MP 39.25
g)
Wsy
0637
Dr
ain
Dr
00650g
ain
fon
8435
Tra
TCB ck
0035 Pond Drain
(A
ain
Dr
Ty Fferm
Usk
El Corinium
Sub 25.6m
Sta Collects
Sunrays
er
Riv
00649g
Dr
A
ain
TCB
Tk
LB
TW
Dra
YN
OAK
1533
S
04498g
Dra
in
BM
Charlbury
19.2m
21.93m
Afo
Inglenook
ET
Mean High Water
Rugby Football Ground
L
nL
Po
BM 30.34m Me an
st
36.3m
Pat
Hig
s
Mud
wy
Gwynfryn h Wa
Post
h (um
ter
6022
d
k
The Sycamores
Trac
)
in
Bryn Hafod Dra River Usk
ST
Works 16.3m BM 8.10m

(Afon Wys
BM
ROMAN BURIAL GROUND

CA
LB
D ra
Willowdene
g)
DO
36.50m
Cattle Grid in
05008g
C'S
The Crest 10.4m

CL
OS
SL
Oakdene Mud
Sta
Drain
Yewtree
Glen View House LYNNE GA Me
ST RD an
EA EN Hi gh
ce S
d
32.4m en
r sid
Mu
Lumley hi
Al
yn e Re
be
Wate
Gl Club
University College of Wales, Th
cq
34.0m
w yn
COL
Pont Sadwrn
r
nt
00647g
CH
(Newport)
LO
LE
Pe ER
RY
Mean
GE
DG
Felthorpe
05333g
e
Mean High
E
RO
to TREE CLOSE
RO
es
lyr
AD
BM 10.35m
High
W
Coleg Brifysgol Cymru,
AD
El Sub Sta
Mei Drain
31.3m ys 3112
Wate
Ll
US
(Casnewydd) ld
TH
Water
K
fie S
RN
r
VA
gh HO Track
HA
Ty Bryn Hi WT
LE
El Sub Sta E HA
W
TH AD
CL
Sta
TH
El Sub K RO ET
L
OR
US
OS
NS
E
YE
8.4m
W
Lichfield Normal Tidal Limit
33.4m Pumping Station
TR
E
ater
EE
Spring Pollards Westbury
W
yd
LA
gh
n Lw
Me Vale
Well n Hi
ws
NE
Mud
M ea
AfoMean
k
Us
Glen High Water
ST Haven
Ro
T AT
31.6m EN
secli
IO
ve
IV
SC N
DR
ro
m RO
CRE
es
16.9m
ffe
rt .0
ll G
Ponds 3504
th
AD
AF
LE
Cou 32
ill
Hi
ON
VA
.5
ca E
Th
39
Is EG BM
LW
K
e
Th
P
LL
US
G
W
M
32
e Ha
YD
ro
oo
CO
8m
.7
01383g
The
ve
5m
dl
AD CL Mud
.2
an
ve
Coach
18
OS
Tram Road
Ha Hous
ds
Glen Plas
n
22.4m RO E
BM
Traverner House K
wt e
Ri dg
04059g
Vorda US
ho
Trading Estate
Th
B 12.3m Coed
rn
e
42
ew
Bee
Sinks 36 Hi Deryn
Fi
llc 3900 6400 3800
ay
rb
ch
Pa
re
an
st
es
Isca
th
05139g
k
(u
m
B
) Pa
d 42
36
Glentar Br 2900 Iss
th
yn CAERLEON
CRES
ST
(um
AT -D 18.8m
Isca The IO er
i
)
Nook aid i N RO AD Spring
The RO
COLLEGE
Hin
05894.0g
Crescent te AD
ta Hollies
House g
Es USK
Shelter South in
ad r Nos
Soth East Wales r Tr
g)
TRAM
Lodge BM m Inte
ys
LB ne Westward
College of Nursing .18 er
Pa
26 av
Tr House M ud W
th
ROAD
25.9m
fon
and Midwifery 17.7m
(um
T
C
The Forge UR
)
L
CO r
k (A
Us
ate
86
6092 MIL EL W
43
Hi gh
er
An L DW
B
ST
B
ge RE BROA an
Riv
l Ho Me ater
g
ET Ll
ur
te l ew W
sb
LA (P gh
a
CA
Hi
Bak
NS H) do n
rch DO
MBR
Car Chu r Co ET Mea
W L
Park NE ur Mud 14.7m
IA
PH Brodawel t
RO
CL
AD Lewvia
OSE
17.5m
LO K B The Withys Mud
43
AL
DG St TCB 26 Water
W
E Mean High
Dr
Pol
yd
AD
RO Donats
MM262 Afon Lw
ain
Sta
Th Mud
BRO
AD Green Oak
LB e Ol B
d
Mu
42 12.6m
d Po Post 36 High Water 15.1m
lic Mean
e Ho dd
us wy AD
s Ne
Afo
RO
5 BM e
d
Mu
n
39.7 Pla
MP W
ES 20 ORS
mo
TE
Ce
ST
nL
TG .2 arl LM
Allotment Gardens 8m
GA
eon BU
AN
AT Ced
E Ho
RM
N
use
lw
CO Ho ar
IO
us
NO
URT
UR
Co
yd
e Orchard House
NT
CE
16.9m
roft
05154g
0582
Tk
Lo
ldc
W
ng
MH
Pavilion vi NTL
m
ew El Sub Sta
.2
Go
St
18
Cot on
ta e H op
CR
ge e
Bowling Green C ro OW
g
PH
N
rr in ft CL NTL Sluice
te RO O
es
05138g
MAN SE M 12.6m Spring
W IL MHW
L
CAERLEON
ROMAN GATE Clinic G AT ST
REE
(site of) ES
ET
Issues T 3376
RE
Allstone Holmlea
ST
ater
Cl
Cottage GO
CAERLEON
wy
Playground W
AN
Ba LD Vine
lla
d
CR gh
RM
craie OF Hi
Sa
T CT Cottages n
16.7m
lu
NO
e ea
M
ain
at
k
04496g
Ca dg
ic
yg 12.4m
ain
Dr
dw
05137g
nd
mbe e
Lo
ISCA
Dr
Har
3073 Sa BM 16.83m
rle
y
Car Park lla Town El Sub Sta

m
t Vi
T
AD PH
llu
REE
RO us Hall CHURCH STREET
Va
Football Ground Aug

16.2m
ST
TH a
BA
UR
ill PC CHURCH ST BM
5171 rr
TH
LD Sa Ty Prisk 16.80m
AR
CO
Bk
9.6m
War
3669 Meml PW Dra
on
6969 in
D
Ho use
Lond
05322g
FS
STREET
Stand 0768
ot
16.4m
Cou el
12
Cemetery BARRACKS KN
e
rt
m
in
.1m
IG
Ca
ge
rra
HT Weir
ara
ON
Lo
(remains of) Tel 11.6m
St Cadoc's
LL
CT
Vic
Ex Tel
HA
Church
CK
Ex
Pond
BA
Drain
Azo BM 12.23m
ST
M re 0264
EU s
M US
The
HI Hall
in ttage
GH
Is
ca
Te on
ST BM 17.04m Pen-y-mynde
Bo e Co
Dr
M
gt
BM RE
rr
ET
ew
ain
ET ET
17
Th
dd
RE
RE
s
.25m ST
ST
ES
OSS
UM
AG
SE
TT
CR
MU
CO
LB Lych Gate 11.1m
E
Caerleon Endowed
TL
Chimney
YR
Junior School Museum
NE
Castle Acre BM 10.63m
TAN HOUSE DRIVE
ain
LA
Tank
Dr
Stone 16.4m Castle Mound
LE
Roman Spring
ST
m
Baths
.96
CA
Ro
ma
th
16
n Lo
Pa
dg
BM
Priory
Broadrs House e
Towe
B 4326
Fo
ss Priory Lodge B 423 9954
e
MM244
6
d
La
ne Clawdd
Mu
Issues
The Priory Bungalow PH The
Su El
Stones
Broadway 8.2m 9455
Firs b St
Caerleon Secondary School House DFn a
14.2m The Mynde
LB
TCB
Broadlands
PO
k
Ban
HI 0549 Issues
GH
d
ST
Mu
RE
Ho iory
ET
l
ET
e Pr
te
D
PH RE
E ROA
Caer ST Shingle
Th
Ca Cott LE
ST
er Issues
ll
14.4m CA
Ho leon
MOR
Hi
us
e Castle
ROMAN GATE
BUL
04370g
ROMAN Mews 0545
w
(site of)
Playing Fields GATE BM
to
rie
15
ow
(site of) .8 Church
ps
5m
irg
m
rrw
Bla
W
6143
HIT
ey
w
e
ISCA
Ff
pl
EH
Co
Ch
Dra Outfall
AR
ROMAN LEGIONARY FORTRESS in

T
on
LA
Uskside
in
al
NE
Dra
Av
s
ed
ifr
Car
05136g
in
12.8m
W
Park HA
St
NB
AD
0039 URY
CL
OSE
Sewage Works RO
ge
Inn
ta
Broadway AN of)
Cot
Farm
ry
Mourse
bu
RO (c
Carlton Terrace Tower Devonia
H an
Outfall 0336
(rems of)
Pavilion Stone Outfall
275989 08886g
Bou
Pond lders
Me
AMPHITHEATRE Quay an
BM 11.93m Hi Path (um)
ers gh
Wat
Bo uld er
Pa
BATHS th
(u
m
(remains of) )
Garage 0331 Golf Course
k Issues Pump
Tower 11.0m ac Sinks
Rock Tr
(site of)
0031
10.2m
ck
Tower View Cottage
g)
0
Tra
Club House
Sh
150 300
Pleasant View
ys
FB Castle in
nW
Bridge Cottage gle
House
Wall Pool
fo
BM
8.35
k (A
Caerleon Issues
ay
The Ship Inn m

w
e Ho AD
Bridge
ad
White
stl
M
Bro
Us
Ca RO Lion
ud
metres
TH House
ain
OR
er
LW 18.9m
Dr
(PH) LU
Riv
7.5m
ers
105.3m
BM
e
or
uld
m
10
Pad
se
.29
Hou
Bo
V iver
m
Gr
t
Cot
an
Riv iew
R
ge
Co B M
er
0020 Lu 2
tta 8.
Ho lwor
Co tt
1
ge 93
ro n Co
tt
us th s m 7919
e
M ncol
s
tt
l C Co tt
The Malthouse
co
wel May Co
ot tt
Li
ge
Pond
ks
ar
ta
Bec
Us
ud
wr
Toll Isca
nd
le
ud
Grange
M
House
Gla
ng
om
B4
IS
M
d
Cr
Figure 2: Map showing Zones A to E and known archaeological interests. The Roman fortress of Caerleon is shown green.
Base map reproduced with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, © Crown Copyright 2000. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes
Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: AL 10005976. Annotations © GGAT
37
Addendum to Zone E
Since publication of the approval copy, another source of information has come to light that
has a bearing on the archaeological potential of Zone E. A still from a video film 1 , (video
footage is not one of the normal research sources) shows an indistinct parchmark of what
appears to be a large rectangular building or buildings centred around ST 3505 9109 in a field
between the Afon Llwyd and the bend of the River Usk (See attached figure and photograph,
parchmark area indicated in red outline).
The faint marks are typical of the layout of a Roman building and their location may suggest a
connection with waterfront activities. However, as these marks do not appear on archived
aerial photographs it is more likely that the image shows the pattern of rectangular drainage
grips that can be found in the fields of the floodplain. Geophysical survey and/or trial trenching
would probably elucidate the nature of these marks.
1
Video image taken from River Flight. Episode: To the Open Sea, broadcast by Channel 4, Wednesday 06 Oct 2004. Information
supplied by Dr. E. Evans via Mr Jim Sullivan of Caerleon.

Afon Llwyd River, Caerleon, Newport: Archaeological Assessment

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Land on either side of the Afon Llwyd River

between the River Usk, the Usk Road and

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd

1.2 Specification and methodology for study

1.3 Assessment criteria

Figure 1: Location of study area (green)

2.3 General archaeological background

3. Site specific archaeology and zonation

Table 1: Identified archaeological interests

3.2 Site zoning

Plate 3: Zone C, general view to the north of floodplain. © GGAT

3.3 Walkover survey

3.4 Cartographic sources

4. National and Local Planning Constraints and Policies

 marking a pre-1600 AD manor or estate boundary, or related to a building of such a

5. Summary of archaeological potential

Type Church, ? nunnery

PRNs 00649g, Roman cemetery, 00653g (church)

Visit date 08/01/04

Recommendations Monitor any development proposals

Type Condition Status

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status

Rarity Group association Historical association

Confidence Value Effect

Type Condition Status