Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf

Archaeological watching brief

June 2009
GGAT report no. 2009/019
Project no.P1260
A report for S Dudley and Sons Ltd National Grid Reference:
by Charlotte James BA SO 00039 03098

ST ER
GI
RE

ED

I A
N
OR

G
IO

AN
I SA T

The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd

Heathfield House Heathfield Swansea SA1 6EL
 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

Contents Page
Summary ............................................................................................................1
Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................1
Copyright notice.........................................................................................................1
1 Introduction..........................................................................................................2
1.1 Project background and commission .............................................................2
1.2 Location, Topography and Geology ..............................................................2
1.3 Historical and archaeological background.....................................................5
2 Methodology .........................................................................................................7
3 Results ...................................................................................................................8
3.1 General Stratigraphy ......................................................................................8
3.2 Area A............................................................................................................8
3.3 Area B ..........................................................................................................18
3.4 Area C ..........................................................................................................19
3.5 Area D..........................................................................................................22
4 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................23
Bibliography ...............................................................................................................24
Appendix I: Context Inventory.................................................................................25

Figures
Figure 1. Location of the development area (red)..........................................................3
Figure 2. Location of development area (red), and Areas A-D (blue) and extent of area
shown in Figure 3 (green) ..................................................................................4
Figure 3. Location of figures 4 and 5...........................................................................15
Figure 4. Plan of brick floor (110) and culvert (111) and surrounding features..........16
Figure 5. Plan of brick floor (113) and surrounding features. .....................................17

Plates
Plate 1. Showing walls 108 and 124 ..............................................................................9
Plate 2. Wall 109 looking north west.............................................................................9
Plate 3. Showing full length of floor 110 and surrounding features culvert 111, floor
113 and bricks 121, taken looking northwest ..................................................10
Plate 4. Brick floor (110) pattern looking north east ...................................................11
Plate 5. Showing the end of the culvert (111) taken facing southeast. ........................11
Plate 6. Showing floor 113 taken facing southeast. .....................................................12
Plate 7. Showing the central bay (119) and underlying rail tracks. Taken to the
southwest..........................................................................................................14
Plate 8. South facing section showing brick and mortar structure (206) .....................18
Plate 9. Showing floor 304 taken to the west...............................................................19
Plate 10. Brick stacks 305, taken to the south..............................................................20
Plate 11. Concrete slab 306 with embedded iron taken to the east..............................20
Plate 12. Northeast face of culvert 308 ........................................................................21
Plate 13. Internal southeast wall of 308 showing apertures........................................21

Front Cover: Brick Floor at front of store  GGAT

 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

Summary
S Dudley and Sons Ltd commissioned the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Projects Division (GGAT Projects) to undertake an archaeological watching brief
during intrusive groundwork on land adjacent to Tesco, Depot Rd, Aberdare,
Rhondda Cynon Taf. This watching brief was necessary to comply with the condition
placed upon the development works (Planning Application No05/1690/10) by the
Local Planning Authority
The development is situated on the site of the Gadlys Ironworks (active between 1827
and 1876), which later became the site of a brick and wagon works, although details
of these works are limited. A number of Listed Buildings (10843, 10846 and 10884)
and a single Scheduled Ancient Monument (GM438) are in close proximity to the
development.
During excavation a number of structures were uncovered, all thought to date to after
the closure of the Gadlys Ironworks. A set of rail tracks were exposed which were
likely to have been part of the original ironworks complex.
Acknowledgements
This project was managed by Richard Lewis BA MIfA and the fieldwork undertaken
by Charlotte James BA. The photographs and report were prepared by Charlotte
James BA and Rowena Hart BSc MA, with illustrations by Paul Jones (GGAT Senior
Illustrator).
Copyright notice
The copyright of this report is held by Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd;
GGAT has granted an exclusive licence to S Dudley and Sons Ltd and their agents to
use and reproduce the material it contains. Ordnance Survey maps are reproduced
under licence (AL 10005976), annotations are GGAT copyright.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

1 Introduction
1.1 Project background and commission
S Dudley and Sons Ltd submitted a planning application to Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
(Planning Application No.05/1690/10), for a proposed extension to the existing Tesco
store, Depot Road, Aberdare. Conditions placed on the planning application required
an archaeologist to conduct an archaeological watching-brief during all ground
disturbing works.
The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust Projects Division (GGAT Projects) was
commissioned by S Dudley and Sons Ltd to undertake the required archaeological
watching brief. This was undertaken between 15th July and 26th August 2008.
1.2 Location, Topography and Geology
The land proposed for development was 0.5miles north of Aberdare town centre (see
Figure 1). To the north, south and west of the site is a modern housing development.
Running along the eastern side of the site is the A4059.
The development area contained a single Listed Building (LB 10844, Casting House
at Gadlys Ironworks) and a single Scheduled Ancient Monument (GM438, Blast
Furnace at Gadlys Ironworks); it should be noted that no ground intrusive works
occurred within the boundaries of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The underlying geology is mainly loamy permeable upland soils over Palaeozoic
sandstone in the south, with slowly permeable seasonally waterlogged fine loamy
soils overlying Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sandstone in the northwest.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

GRID

Development area

Based on the 1999 Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer 166 map with the
permission of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown
Copyright, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Ltd, Licence number
AL10005976

0 1.00 2.00 3.00km

Figure 1: Location of the development area (red)

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

Area C

Area shown in Figure 3

Area A
Area D

Area B

GRID

Basemap provided by Tesco Stores Limited with the permission

0 50 100m of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown
Copyright Licence number AL100020449

Figure 2: Location of development area (red), areas A-D (blue) and extent of area shown in Figure 3 (green)

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

1.3 Historical and archaeological background

There is scant evidence for prehistoric activity in the Aberdare area, although around
the Cynon Valley there are known Bronze Age clearance cairns and evidence of
Roman activity. Also 2km south of Hirwaun there are the remains of an Iron Age
settlement. However, it is unlikely that any archaeologically significant features
predating the Gadlys Ironworks remain within the proposed development area.
The Gadlys Ironworks (PRN 02162m/NPRN: 34,088) is a nationally important
ironworks of early 19th century foundation, noted for its quality casting product and
engine parts. The site retains rare surviving features in excellent condition, including
furnaces, casting sheds, blast engine house and calcining furnaces; these are currently
protected by scheduling and listing. Buried remains of other features may also
survive. The site has sustained some loss with the area above (to the north) and to the
west of the furnaces, which included the coke yard and coke ovens. These areas were
developed for housing during the early 20th century, while the level area to the east
has recently been developed for retail use (Roberts 2005, 112).
The furnace area of the Gadlys Ironworks (PRN: 02162m/NPRN: 85,109) located at
SO 000 030, has been scheduled (SAM Gm438). The scheduled area comprises the
intact remains of the charging bank built against a steep scarp, located to the rear of
the former Stores Building (PRN: 02042m/NPRNs: 34,884 and 40,450/LB10844).
The structure is a twin gabled range of dark rubble with brick facings, currently in use
as a museum (The Cynon Valley Museum and Gallery), is of particular interest as it
possibly incorporates the remains of the casting house thought to date to 1855-6. This
building appears to have been reused as one of the Wagon Repair Shops (NPRN:
85,107) at SO 0003 0301 (Roberts 2005, 112).
Other standing structures of note outside of the development area include an
imposing, intact, Grade II Listed Building engine house (PRN: 02344m/NPRN:
33,707/LB10842) to the south of the furnaces at SO 001 030, adjacent stone
revetments (Grade II Listed Building, Cadw ref: 10,843) and the former Calcining
Furnaces situated to the rear of no. 17 Elm Grove (Grade II Listed Building, Cadw
ref: 10,846) (Roberts 2005, 112).
The Gadlys Ironworks was the third ironworks to be built in the Aberdare area,
founded in 1827 by George Rowland Morgan, Edward Morgan Williams and Mathew
Wayne. In the second half of the 1840s the works began to expand and by the mid
1850s the number of furnaces had grown from one to four. Production continued until
the works closed in 1876 following the depression of the 1870s. The site was put up
for sale in 1877 but due to the lack of prospective buyers the works closed
permanently (Roberts 2005, 112).
In the 1880s some of the buildings of the ironworks were used as both a wagon and
brick works; the site is labelled on the second edition (1900) Ordnance Survey map as
‘Brick & Wagon Works’ and on the third edition (1919) Ordnance Survey map as
‘Brick Works’. The wagon works had closed by 1919, and since then the site has been
used for a number of industrial purposes. Indeed, prior to the current retail store the
site was being used as a bus depot.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

During the construction of the current retail store, the Oxford Archaeological Unit
undertook an archaeological field evaluation. Excavations confirmed that within 1m
of the current ground surface no archaeological features or deposits relating to the
main forge building of Gadlys Ironworks survived (Brereton 1994).

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

2 Methodology
The intrusive groundworks that were monitored by the archaeological watching-brief
consisted of a large portion of the current Tesco’s car park, seating and garden area
being re-designed. This required excavating to a depth of around 0.5m below the
current ground surface in Area A and B (see Figure 2). In Area C, along with the
overall area being reduced by 0.5m, multiple deep trenches were dug for foundation
pillars. These deep excavations ranged from 3.0m to 5.0m in depth. There were
approximately six-eight deep excavations along the eastern edge of Area C, parallel to
the road. Area D consisted of a single trench excavated to locate existing services.
All excavation was undertaken by a wheeled, 180°, mechanical excavator using a
1.8m wide toothed bucket. All areas were available for archaeological inspection
where the depth of excavation allowed for safe access.
A full written, drawn and photographic record was made of all archaeological
contexts, in accordance with the GGAT Manual of Excavation Recording Techniques.
Contexts were recorded using a single continuous numbering system, and are
summarised in Appendix 1. All significant contexts were photographed. Finds were
selected according to the GGAT Manual of Excavation Recording Techniques discard
policy; no finds were retained as they were all identified on-site as being modern in
date.
An archive of records relating to the preparation of the reports has been prepared to
the specifications in Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage,
1991) Appendix 6 and UKIC’s Archaeological Archives: a guide to best practice in
creation, compilation, transfer and curation 2007.
After an appropriate period has elapsed, copies of the report and archive index will be
deposited with the regional Historic Environment Record (HER). A copy of the report
and archive index will also be deposited with the National Monuments Record
(NMR), RCAHMW, Aberystwyth.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

3 Results
3.1 General Stratigraphy
The basal layer encountered in Areas A and B (see Figure 2) was an industrial waste
deposit with a high concentration of coal dust, iron slag, rubble, brick and stone (123
and 205). Overlying this was a stone aggregate deposit (103 and 204) with an average
depth of 0.1m. In Areas A and B the aggregate was overlain by a sand deposit (102
and 203) with an average depth of 0.1m. The sand deposit was in turn overlain by
paving slabs (101 and 201).
During mechanical excavation of Area A, a number of structures were uncovered all
underlying industrial waste deposit (104) and all structures that were removed were
found to be overlying a similar deposit of coal dust and iron slag (123). During the
excavation for a service trench in Area B a brick and mortar structure was revealed
(206).
In Area C (see Figure 2) the basal deposit was a brown clay (309), this was overlain
by a black industrial demolition layer (303). The clay basal deposit (309) was also
overlain by a concrete base (306). Overlying industrial deposit 303 was an aggregate
deposit (302), which was in turn overlain with a layer of tarmac (301) with an average
depth of 0.15m.
During mechanical excavation of Area C all structures exposed were found to be
overlying a large concrete slab (306) and underlying industrial deposit 303.
In Area D (see Figure 2) the basal deposit was a grey silty clay (404). Overlying this
was a black demolition layer with a high concentration of coal dust, brick and stone
(403). This deposit was overlain by a stone sub-base deposit (402) and tarmac (401).

3.2 Area A
Brick Built Wall (Context 106)
A length of brick built wall was exposed in the northern corner of Area A running
parallel to the northeast curb. It had a maximum length of 2.0m and width of 0.24m.
The total maximum depth was unknown, although the structure was exposed to a
depth of 0.1m. All of the bricks appeared to be arranged on edge, measuring 0.24m in
length and 0.07m wide, and were bonded with a dark grey mortar. This length of wall
was left in situ.

Rectangular Feature (Context 107)

A rectangular brick feature measuring 0.84m in length and 0.64m in width externally,
and bonded with concrete. Four courses of brickwork were exposed to a depth of
0.25m, although, the full depth of the structure is unknown. The brick chamber was
filled with a rubble composed of small stones.

Brick Built Walls (Context 108 and 124, Plate 1)

A length of wall constructed from red and yellow brick (108), which probably adjoins
a second wall constructed from yellow brick (124). Wall 108 was exposed on a
northwest – southeast alignment and was constructed from red brick and edged on the
eastern side with yellow brick. The wall was 1.6m in length and 0.44m in width. Both

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

walls combined had a maximum width of 0.9m and were bonded with a dark grey
mortar. These walls were left in situ.
Brick and Stone Wall (Context 109, Plate 2)
A brick and stone built wall running on the same alignment as wall 108 was
encountered in the northern part of the area. This feature had a maximum length of
6.0m and a maximum width of 0.6m. Part of the wall was constructed in the same way
as wall 108, using both of red and yellow brick. The remainder of the wall was
formed of fragments of brick and flat stones. All sections were bonded with a dark
grey mortar. This wall remained in situ.

Plate 1. Walls 108 and 124, view to the southwest

Plate 2. Wall 109, view to the northwest

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Brick surface (Context 110, Plate 3 and 4, Figure 4)

A substantial brick built surface was uncovered in the eastern part of the area. It had
been truncated on all sides, making its original dimensions impossible to determine.
The maximum exposed length was 12.5m, with a width of 3.5m and bonded with a
dark grey mortar. The brick surface was divided into approximately twelve
rectangular sections measuring on average 0.80m x 1.50m (see Plate 4). Whole bricks
divided the sections, with partial bricks used as the laid base of these sections.
Towards the southern section of the floor there was a large deposit of concrete that
appeared to be overlying the brick surface. The brick surface was removed for the
purposes of the construction and was found to be overlying deposit (123).
At the southern end of the brick surface, a second brick floor (121) was noted as
underlying 110. Running underneath the northern edge of the surface was a brick built
culvert 111. To the west of this feature was a third section of brick flooring (113).

Plate 3. Floor 110 and surrounding features culvert 111, floor 113 and bricks 121, view to the
northwest

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Plate 4. Brick floor (110), view to the northeast

Culvert (Context 111, Plate 5, Figure 4)

A brick built culvert, was exposed underlying the northern edge of brick surface 110
and running parallel with it. The exposed length was 13.6m, with an external width of
0.8m. From the base to the top of the arch the culvert measured 0.7m in height. It was
constructed using both red and yellow brick and bonded with a dark grey mortar. The
base of the culvert appeared to be a roughly laid brick surface. In some areas the
arched roof had collapsed and in a number of places the roof was covered with a thick
layer of dark grey mortar with large pieces of brick. This mortar layer above the
culvert was level with the adjacent brick floor (110).

Plate 5. End of culvert (111), view to the southeast

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Square Brick Structure (Context 112 Figure 5)

A square brick structure was exposed west of floor 113. This feature measured 0.9m
square, but with an unknown depth. The structure contained a deposit of yellow sand.

Brick Floor/Platform (Context 113, Plate 6, Figure 5)

An area of brick floor/platform was exposed approximately 2m west of floor 110. It
measured 4.0m in length, and 2.6m in width and was bonded with a dark grey mortar.
It was connected to floor 110 by brick rubble deposit (117). This floor/platform
seemed to be constructed in a similar manner to the brick floor 110, and was removed
for the purposes of the construction.

Plate 6. Floor 113, view to the southeast

Stone Wall (Context 114)

A small section of stone-built wall was exposed with a minimum length of 1.2m. The
width of the wall was 3.78m at its widest point. There appeared to be a foundation
layer of brick, which was 0.25m in depth. The remainder of the wall was constructed
with stone and large quantities of dark grey mortar.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Wall (Context 115)

This feature consisted of two sections of yellow brick wall in the southern corner of
Area A. It measured 3m in length and was 0.24m in width. The wall was aligned
northwest – southeast. It appeared to change direction to a north-northeast – south-
southwest alignment and was interrupted by a large deposit of concrete. These
sections of wall were left in situ.

Concrete Feature (Context 116, Figure 5)

A rectangular deposit of concrete measuring 0.7m in length and 0.5m wide was
exposed immediately west of brick feature 113. It was excavated to a depth of 0.1m
but not fully exposed.

Brick Deposit (Context 117)

An area of brick rubble appeared to connect floors 110 and 113. It measured a
maximum of 8.0m in length, 2.0m in width and a minimum of 0.3m in depth.

Northern Bay (Context 118, Figure 4)

A partial bay was located at the northern end of culvert 111. It was aligned east-west
and appeared to be at an oblique when compared to the surrounding features. It
measured 1.6m in length, 1.4m in width and was constructed of brick, stone and
concrete. The western wall was missing, although contained within the bay were large
pieces of iron slag.

Central Bay and Rail Tracks (Context 119 and 125, Plate 7, Figure 4)

The central bay east of culvert 111 measured 2.2m in length, 1.2m in width and had a
maximum depth of 0.4m. It was constructed from brick and stone, with a row of
brinks lining the inside of the northwest-southeast running wall of this bay against the
edge of culvert 111. This line of bricks appeared to have no foundation and directly
overlay the slag deposit 123. Underlying the central bay a set of rail tracks (125)
aligned to the southwest were exposed. They were exposed for a distance of 1.10m
and measured around 0.8m apart. The tracks were left in situ

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Plate 7. Central bay (119) and underlying rail tracks (125). View to the southwest

Southern Bay (Context 120, Figure 4)

A brick and stone built bay, truncated at the southern end and missing its southern
wall. It measured 0.8m in length, 1.4m wide and had a maximum depth of 0.15m. The
base seemed to have a large piece of iron slag filling the entire bay.

Brick Floor (Context 121, Figure 4)

Towards the southern end of floor 110 there was a discrete deposit of lighter coloured
bricks, underlying floor 110, which could have once made up a floor layer. The
deposit measured 3.4m wide and 1.0m in length.

Brick Deposit (Context 122, Figure 4)

This feature was a small deposit of bricks and fragmented iron objects/slag to the
southeast of culvert 111. This feature measured a maximum of 0.7m in length and
0.5m in width.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

GRID

A4
05
N

9
Area shown in Figure 4

Area shown in Figure 5

Based on the 2005 Ordnance Survey 1:5000 Landplan map with the permission of The Controller
0 25 50metres of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright, Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Ltd, Licence number Al10005976

Figure 3. Location of Figures 4 and 5

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

Key to conventions

Red brick

Yellow brick

White brick

Sandstone 110

Stone/rubble

Vitrified brick Culvert

(Roof Missing)

Mortar

Iron slag

Faced edge

110
Context number

110

111

118

Brick floor
continues
to edge of
culvert

119 Iron Tram Lines

125

120

Concrete

122

111

121

121
N

0 1.00 2.00 3.00metres

Figure 4. Plan of brick floor (110), culvert (111) and surrounding features
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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching-brief

113
Area of Slag
and Demolition Rubble

116

112

N
113

0 1.00 2.00 3.00metres

Figure 5. Plan of brick floor (113) and surrounding features

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

3.3 Area B
There were no archaeological finds or features exposed during the reduction of the
ground level in Area B. However, the remains of a structure were uncovered during
the excavation of a service pipe. The trench measured 18m in length, 1.4m-1.7m in
width and 1.35m–1.8m in depth.

Brick Structure (Context 206, Plate 8)

In the south facing section of the service trench a brick structure was revealed. The
structure had a poorly defined form, but was well bonded, and constructed of yellow
brick and mortar. It measured 2.1m in length and 1m in depth. This feature was
overlain by a modern deposit, which included plastic and sacks.

Plate 8. South facing section showing brick and mortar structure (206)

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

3.4 Area C
Brick Floor (Context 304, Plate 9)
This feature was a truncated red brick floor in the centre of Area C. It had maximum
length of 3.5m and a maximum width of 2.3m. Along the northern edge the bricks
were laid in a linear arrangement while the rest of the floor appeared to be laid in a
fairly random fashion. Part and whole bricks were used in its construction. Modern
trenches appear to have cut this floor at the east and the west. This feature was
overlying rubble deposit 303 and underlying aggregate deposit 302.

Plate 9. Floor 304, view to the west

Stacked Bricks (Context 305, Plate 10)

Covering a large proportion of Area C at approximately 0.5m - 1.0m below the
current ground level was a substantial quantity of stacked bricks. These bricks had a
maximum depth of 2.0m. This deposit was underlying industrial deposit 303 and
overlying concrete base 306.

Concrete Floor (Context 306, Plate 11)

In the southern corner of Area C, a large concrete slab was noted that covered an area
of around 20m2. It may have covered a greater area originally but had been truncated
by modern trenches at the northern, western and eastern edges. It continued an
unknown distance to the south, outside of the excavated area. The depth of this feature
varied from a minimum of 0.3m to a maximum of 2m. On the western edge there
seemed to be an iron framework set in to the concrete. The concrete had stone, brick
and slag inclusions. Underlying the concrete was clay 309 and it was overlain by brick
deposit 305.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Plate 10. Brick stacks 305, view to the south

Plate 11. Concrete slab 306 with embedded iron, view to the east

Brick and Stone Wall (Context 307)

In the southern corner of Area C, a 2.0m length of brick and stone built wall was
exposed. It had a depth of 1.1m and was 0.75m wide. This feature appeared to be
located at a higher level than the concrete slab 306 and immediately to the southwest
of it. It was bonded with a dark grey mortar and underlay a layer of aggregate (302).

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Brick Culvert (Context 308, Plate 12 and 13)

Overlying concrete slab 306 were the partial remains of a brick culvert. Only 1.8m of
its length remained as it has been truncated by a modern manhole at its southwestern
end. It measured 1.05m from the base to the top of the arch and was 1.1m wide
externally and ran on a northeast-southwest alignment. The base of the culvert was
composed of a laid brick floor. In the southeast wall there were three apertures each
measuring 0.36m high and 0.11m wide.

Plate 12. Culvert 308, view to northeast

Plate 13. Wall of 308 showing apertures, view to southeast

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

3.5 Area D
Area D consisted of a single trench excavated for the purpose of locating existing
services. The trench measured 8.4m in length, 1m in width and 1.24m in depth. The
basal deposit was a grey silty clay (404), which is likely to be of a natural origin.. It
was exposed to a depth of 0.14m. Deposit 404 was overlain by a black industrial
demolition layer with a high concentration of coal dust, brick, stone and mortar (403).
Deposit 403 measured 0.93m in depth. This deposit was overlain by a stone sub-base
deposit (402) measuring 0.05m in depth and a tarmac surface (401) measuring 0.12m
in depth. There were no archaeologically significant finds or features in Area D.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

4 Conclusion
The stratigraphy of the development area appears to be composed of waste material
including ash, slag and brick from the many industrial works, which have occupied
the area for over a century.
Area A
On the 1st edition (1880) Ordnance Survey map there are a set of northeast-southwest
aligned rails that run into the Gadlys Ironworks kilns which correspond to the rails
(125) that were uncovered beneath the central bay (119) to the east of floor 110.
On the 2nd edition (1900) Ordnance Survey map a structure relating to the brick and
wagon works has been built over the rails (125) This building appears to relate to the
brick floor (110) and to the surrounding features including culvert 111, floor 113, the
northern bay (118), central bay (119) and southern bay (120) and floor 121. On the
third edition (1919) Ordnance Survey map this area of the building is shown as being
demolished although the northeastern part remains intact.
The rubble deposit 117 between the two sections of floor 110 and 113 suggests that
these two floors were once part of the same surface.
Both brick features 107 and 112 are probably disused manholes that have been filled
with modern materials.

Area B
The exact nature of the structure exposed in Area B is unknown, as it has no clear
form or function.

Area C
There are no structures depicted in this area on the 1st edition (1880) Ordnance
Survey map indicating that the features encountered in Area C are likely to be
associated with the brick and wagon works. In Area C the concrete base (306) was
used by the brickworks after the closure of the Gadlys Ironworks and was probably
laid for this use. Associated features including wall 307 and culvert 308 are thought to
date from the same period. Floor 304 was overlying the brick stacks (305) so also
dated to after the ironworks. All finds were of post medieval or modern date.

Area D
There were no archaeologically significant finds or features in Area D.

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Bibliography
Brereton S, 1994, Aberdare-Gadlys Estate Development: Archaeological Field
Investigation. Oxford Archaeological Unit.
Roberts R, 2005, Southeast Wales Industrial Ironworks Landscapes, Year 1: The Core
Ironworks Areas, GGAT Report no. 2005/056
Soil Survey of England and Wales, 1983, 1:250,000 Soil Map of England and Wales.
Harpenden

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 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

Appendix I: Context Inventory

Context Context Context Description Depth
Number Type below
ground
surface (m)
101 Structure Paving material 0 – 0.1
102 Deposit Sand used in the laying of paving 101 0.1 - 0.2
103 Deposit Small stone aggregate 0.2 – 0.3
104 Deposit Industrial waste coal dust/iron slag/loose brick/stone/ash/concrete 0.3 - n.b.
rubble fill
105 Deposit Group of bricks joined by mortar possibly part of a structure but 0.3-0.6
probably large piece of rubble fill 104
106 Structure Base of brick wall in northeast corner of Area A, aligned 0.7 - n.b.
northwest - southeast 2.0m(L) 0.24m(W)
107 Structure Rectangular brick feature probably disused manhole. 0.84m(L) 0.8 - n.b.
0.64m(W)
108 Structure Brick wall, aligned northwest - southeast 1.6m(L) 0.44m(W) 0.7 - n.b.
109 Structure Brick and stone wall 6m(L) 0.6m(W) possibly continuation of 108 0.7 - n.b.
110 Structure Area of red brick floor, some yellow brick. Whole and partial -
bricks. Only appears to be one course of bricks deep. 12.5m(L)
3.5m(W). (Mortar sample taken number 003)
111 Structure Culvert partially beneath floor 110. Constructed from red and -
yellow brick. 13.6m(L) 0.8m(W)
112 Structure Red brick feature west of 110 probably manhole. 0.9m(L) -
0.9m(W).
113 Structure Red brick floor west of 110. 4m(L) 2.6m(W) -
114 Structure Brick and stone structure, possibly wall or base of structure. Brick -
base with stone top with a lot of dark grey mortar. 1.2m min (L).
3.78m(W) 0.75m max (D).
115 Structure Yellow brick wall in southern corner of Area 1. 3m(L) 1.6m(W) -
116 Structure Concrete rectangular feature adjacent to 112. 0.7m(L) 0.5m(W) -
minimum depth of 0.1m
117 Deposit Brick rubble joining brick floors 110 and 113. -
118 Structure Truncated northern bay, east of 111 1.6m(L) 1.4m(W) -
119 Structure Central bay, east of 111. 2.2m(L) 1.2m(W). -
120 Structure Truncated southern bay, east of 111. 0.8m(L) 1.4m(W) -
121 Structure Pale brick surface, south of 110. -
122 Structure Brick deposit, east of 111 -
123 Deposit Industrial waste deposit with a high concentration of coal dust and -
iron slag.
124 Structure Adjoining wall to 108. 0.7 – n.b.
125 Structure Rail tracks underlying central bay 119. Exposed for a length of -
1.1m they travelled to the southwest. They were at around 0.8m
apart.

25
 Tesco, Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf: archaeological watching brief

201 Deposit Paving material, equates to 101 0 – 0.1

202 Deposit Topsoil 0 – 0.4
203 Deposit Sand used in the laying of the paving, equates to 102 0.1 - 0.2
204 Deposit Small stone aggregate, equates to 103 0.2 - 0.3
205 Deposit Loose brick/coal dust/stone/concrete rubble fill, equates to 104 0.3 - n.b.
206 Structure Brick and mortar structure with unknown function. 2.1m in length 0.5 – 1.5
and 1.0m depth.
301 Deposit Tarmac 0 - 0.15
302 Deposit Small stone aggregate, equates to 103 0.15 - 0.25
303 Deposit Loose brick/coal dust/stone/concrete rubble fill, equates to 104 0.25 - n.b.
304 Structure Brick floor in centre of Area 3. 3.5m in length and 2.3m wide. -
305 Deposit Stacked bricks probably relating to the brick works previously on -
site. Could be in storage or in place ready for firing. Covering
majority of Area 3, up to 2m in depth..
306 Structure Concrete floor underlying stacked bricks 305. Covering most of -
Area 3, up to 2m in depth. Made from concrete with inclusions of
whole and parts.
307 Structure Wall in southern section of Area 3. 2m length 1.1m depth 0.75m -
width. Continued unknown length towards south. Made up of
brick and stone. Located immediately to the southwest of concrete
slab 306.
308 Structure Yellow brick culvert overlying concrete floor 306. Runs for 1.8m -
until reaches modern manhole. On the southeast wall there are
regular voids along its length, which are now blocked by rubble.
309 Deposit Yellow/brown clay -
401 Deposit Tarmac 0 – 0.12
402 Deposit Stone sub-base 0.12 – 0.17
403 Deposit Black industrial demolition deposit with a high concentration of 0.17 – 1.10
coal dust, brick and stone. Equates to 104
404 Deposit Grey silty clay, possibly natural 1.10 – n.b

Note:
n.b. – not bottomed

26