Caerwent Forum-Basilica, Caerwent, South Wales

 

 

Ceramic Building Materials Assessment

 

 

by S Garside-Neville

I) Factual summary

 

A small amount of ceramic building material (CBM) from about 100 contexts was examined for the purposes of this assessment.  The material consisted of samples from the North Aisle and the East Road, plus any complete or near complete ceramic building materials readily available when the museum was visited.  See Table 5 below for a listing of all contexts examined.  The tables are drawn from an Access 2 database, which also had the phasing and group information added to it.

 

Brick

The brick has a thickness ranging between 34-74mm. Breadth measurements (where present, see below) ranging between 231-288mm.  There are two tiles with complete measurements and these lengths are 399mm and 410mm.  These tiles with complete measurements are a lydion shape.  In comparison with Brodribb's (1987, 142) measurements for British tiles, the Caerwent tiles are a little larger than average.   Lydions, like all tiles, could be used for a variety of purposes.  However, this type of tile in particular could be used as wall bonding or lacing courses.  The variation in breadths and thicknesses hints at other sizes of tiles being present, but too fragmentary to observe.

 

Some bricks had particular features.  A few bricks had a combed surface.  This would probably be for keying, but was it was not a common feature within this small sample.  It is possible that these bricks were used for cavity walling along with spacer bobbins and hold fasts.  Indeed, one example has a notch cut out, which could have been the space needed for a hold fast.  A more common feature was signature marks, in either a two or three arc shape.  Signatures are thought to be associated with a particular tile maker, or may symbolise the mark of a tile guild.  There was one example of a deer hoof print.

 

Context

Length

Breadth

Thickness

0

399

255

60

0

0

288

48

0

0

260

49

0

0

272

45

0

0

252

45

215

0

264

34

217

0

266

43

217

0

265

37

1703

0

231

39

2502

0

260

66

2505

410

268

49

3345

0

271

46

3477

0

278

57

Table 1 - Bricks with at least two complete measurements

 

Flue tile

Only a small amount of flue tile was examined.  It had combed keying, which has been associated in London with an early second century or later date.  There are two types of vent -  circular and square, and there is some variance in the thickness of the form.

 

Context

Breadth

Thickness

Comments

5104

0

13

COMBED

5157

0

25

COMBED; SOOTED; SQUARE VENT

5206

0

27

COMBED

5207

0

16

CIRCULAR  VENT,  70MM FROM TOP EDGE

5207

72

12

CIRCULAR VENT

Table 2 - Flue tile

 

Roof tile - tegulae

The thicknesses of the tegulae are between 13-46mm.  Breadths are between 288-425mm, and lengths start at 470mm.    External flange heights vary between 26-73mm.  The two complete, or near complete, length measurements are longer than Brodribb's average (1987, 142), but the complete breadth measurements are narrower.  Features include signatures of one to four arcs, lower cutaway types B & D (using the classification of Betts, 1985, 160), possible paint, and pawprints.  There is also one example of a nailhole.  This feature is thought in London to be a later feature found in tegula, where perhaps the roof pitches were steeper than previously and may have needed the support of a nail.

 

Context

Length

Breadth

Thickness

Flange Height

Comments

0

0

295

19

0

4 ARC SIGNATURE; ABRADED

0

0

297

22

0

3 ARC SIGNATURE; DELIBERATE UPPER CUTAWAY KNOCKED OUT OF LOWER CUTAWAY; REUSED

0

470

0

30

55

4 ARC SIGNATURE; CUTAWAY B

418

0

288

25

55

REUSED

418

0

288

26

51

UPPER CUTAWAY

418

0

305

23

54

UPPER CUTAWAY

604

*480

425

31

60

*MINIMUM LENGTH; 1 ARC SIGNATURE; REUSED; LOWER CUTAWAY KNOCKED OFF TO UPPER CUTAWAY

1194

0

333

24

40

 

Table 3 - Tegula with at least two complete measurements

 

Roof tile - imbrice

The imbrices have thicknesses ranging between 11-26mm.  The breadth measurements are within the average range observed by Brodribb (1987,142), and the length measurements do not deviate far from the average for imbrice.  Some of the imbrices from this site have a noticeable peak to the curve of the arch.  There is one example which appears to have been moulded around the leg of the maker, rather than a wooden former.

 

Context

Length

Breadth

Thickness

Comments

2732

350

143

18

*MINIMUM LENGTH; FINGER STREAKED

2732

372

135

17

*MINIMUM LENGTH

2952

429

204

23

 

5157

380

0

17

REDUCED OUTER; LEG MOULDED

Table 4 - Imbrice with at least two complete measurements

 

Daub

There was one fragment of what was possibly daub from context 5189.

 

Fabrics

Three distinct fabrics were observed.  These were identified with the aid of a x10 hand lens, and were gathered whilst quickly examining the Caerwent sample. The fabrics range from fine to coarse, and may or may not be from the same clay source.

 

Condition

Approximately 20-30% of the sample examined was unwashed, and this made observation of features very difficult, as well as being a health hazard due to excessive dust.  This material should be washed before any further work is undertaken.  The brick and tile was mostly fragmentary and some pieces show signs of reuse.

 

 

II)  Research potential of the material

 

From the sample seen so far, it is uncertain whether the research aims and objectives detailed in the specialists notes can be achieved for the CBM.  This is dependent on the retained material as a whole forming a reliable sample both chronologically and spatially.  However, assuming the retained CBM is a reliable sample of that found on the excavations, it should be possible to characterise the ceramic building material from the forum-basilica and the nature of its use in this part of the Roman town.

 

The sample (forms and fabrics) could be used, in conjunction with the records of the discarded brick and tile, to elucidate construction and demolition activity at the forum-basilica, which would contribute to research objectives 1.11-12 and 1.14.  The presence (or absence) of forms could provide indications of the building construction and architecture, addressing research objectives 1.21-2. 

 

It is unlikely that the representivity of the CBM can be determined without comparable assemblages from elsewhere in Caerwent.  On the other hand, it should be possible to set the forms and fabrics within a regional context, not least in relation to the material from Caerleon nearby.  This would provide evidence for the manufacture of, and trade in, brick and tile, as defined in objectives 1.41-3.

 

In addition, the importance of analysing in detail the first CBM assemblage from Caerwent cannot be overstated.  Characterising the forms and fabrics will greatly increase the usefulness of the brick and tile as a site dating tool, and will enable comparisons with other CBM assemblages recovered from Caerwent and further afield to be made in the future.

 

 

III) Methodological approach

(not included in web version)

 

Bibliography

Betts I M, 1985.  A Scientific investigation of the brick and tile industry of York to the mid-eighteenth century.  Bradford University (unpublished PhD thesis)

 

Brodribb G, 1987.  Roman brick and tile.  Alan Sutton

 


Table 5 - Context Listing

Context

Form

Length

Breadth

Thickness

0

RBRICK

0

252

45

0

RBRICK

0

260

49

0

RBRICK

0

272

45

0

RBRICK

0

288

48

0

RBRICK

399

255

60

0

TEGULA

0

295

19

0

TEGULA

0

297

22

0

TEGULA

470

0

30

215

RBRICK

0

264

34

217

RBRICK

0

265

37

217

RBRICK

0

266

43

418

TEGULA

0

288

25

418

TEGULA

0

288

26

418

TEGULA

0

305

23

604

TEGULA

480

425

31

1194

TEGULA

0

333

24

1703

RBRICK

0

231

39

2502

RBRICK

0

260

66

2505

RBRICK

0

0

74

2505

RBRICK

410

268

49

2532

TEGULA

0

0

21

2546

TEGULA

0

0

24

2568

TEGULA

0

0

18

2631

TEGULA

0

0

18

2644

RBRICK

0

0

47

2644

TEGULA

0

0

0

2644

TEGULA

0

0

21

2649

IMBREX

0

0

0

2649

IMBREX

0

0

16

2649

IMBREX

0

0

16

2649

RBRICK

0

0

0

2649

RBRICK

0

0

34

2649

RBRICK

0

0

36

2649

RBRICK

0

0

38

2649

RBRICK

0

0

38

2649

RBRICK

0

0

38

2649

RBRICK

0

0

40

2649

RBRICK

0

0

40

2649

RBRICK

0

0

43

2649

RBRICK

0

0

44

2649

RBRICK

0

0

45

2649

RBRICK

0

0

45

2649

RBRICK

0

0

46

2649

RBRICK

0

0

47

2649

RBRICK

0

0

47

2649

RBRICK

0

0

47

2649

RBRICK

0

0

56

2649

TEGULA

0

0

0

2649

TEGULA

0

0

0

2649

TEGULA

0

0

24

2649

TEGULA

0

0

26

2649

TEGULA

0

0

28

2658

RBRICK

0

0

0

2658

RBRICK

0

0

0

2658

TEGULA

0

0

20

2658

TEGULA

0

0

31

2658

TEGULA

0

0

61

2659

IMBREX

0

0

18

2659

RBRICK

0

0

0

2659

RBRICK

0

0

37

2659

RBRICK

0

0

45

2659

RBRICK

0

0

59

2659

TEGULA

0

0

23

2659

TEGULA

0

0

30

2659

TEGULA

0

0

30

2666

IMBREX

0

0

11

2666

RBRICK

0

0

0

2666

RBRICK

0

0

45

2666

RBRICK

0

0

55

2666

RBRICK

0

0

65

2666

TEGULA

0

0

0

2666

TEGULA

0

0

0

2666

TEGULA

0

0

21

2666

TEGULA

0

0

22

2666

TEGULA

0

0

24

2668

IMBREX

0

0

13

2668

RBRICK

0

0

40

2668

TEGULA

0

0

0

2668

TEGULA

0

0

21

2668

TEGULA

0

0

26

2668

TEGULA

0

0

28

2671

RBRICK

0

0

64

2671

TEGULA

0

0

0

2671

TEGULA

0

0

0

2671

TEGULA

0

0

18

2695

RBRICK

0

0

41

2695

TEGULA

0

0

0

2698

RBRICK

0

0

57

2698

TEGULA

0

0

0

2698

TEGULA

0

0

0

2698

TEGULA

0

0

16

2698

TEGULA

0

0

46

2732

IMBREX

350

143

18

2732

IMBREX

372

135

17

2952

IMBREX

429

204

23

3345

RBRICK

0

271

46

3477

RBRICK

0

278

57

3935

IMBREX

0

0

17

4040

RBRICK

0

0

40

5013

IMBREX

0

0

17

5013

IMBREX

0

0

19

5013

TEGULA

0

0

0

5013

TEGULA

0

0

20

5013

TEGULA

0

0

22

5013

TEGULA

0

0

22

5013

TEGULA

0

0

46

5030

RBRICK

0

0

39

5030

TEGULA

0

0

17

5030

TEGULA

0

0

22

5061

IMBREX

0

0

14

5061

IMBREX

0

0

14

5061

IMBREX

0

0

16

5061

IMBREX

0

0

17

5061

RBRICK

0

0

44

5063

IMBREX

0

0

18

5063

IMBREX

0

0

19

5065

IMBREX

0

0

18

5066

IMBREX

0

0

16

5066

IMBREX

0

0

16

5066

TEGULA

0

0

0

5066

TEGULA

0

0

0

5070

IMBREX

0

0

22

5070

TEGULA

0

0

23

5070

TEGULA

0

0

24

5073

IMBREX

0

0

15

5073

IMBREX

0

0

16

5073

IMBREX

0

0

18

5073

IMBREX

0

0

19

5073

RBRICK

0

0

42

5073

TEGULA

0

0

0

5073

TEGULA

0

0

18

5073

TEGULA

0

0

18

5073

TEGULA

0

0

19

5073

TEGULA

0

0

19

5073

TEGULA

0

0

20

5073

TEGULA

0

0

20

5073

TEGULA

0

0

22

5073

TEGULA

0

0

23

5073

TEGULA

0

0

24

5073

TEGULA

0

0

24

5073

TEGULA

0

0

24

5073

TEGULA

0

0

25

5073

TEGULA

0

0

26

5073

TEGULA

0

0

31

5073

TEGULA

0

0

34

5074

IMBREX

0

0

16

5074

IMBREX

0

0

16

5074

IMBREX

0

0

18

5074

TEGULA

0

0

13

5074

TEGULA

0

0

22

5075

IMBREX

0

0

11

5076

IMBREX

0

0

17

5076

TEGULA

0

0

23

5077

RBRICK

0

0

0

5077

RBRICK

0

0

41

5077

TEGULA

0

0

24

5077

TEGULA

0

0

24

5085

IMBREX

0

0

18

5087

RBRICK

0

0

0

5088

IMBREX

0

0

20

5088

TEGULA

0

0

30

5089

IMBREX

0

0

14

5089

IMBREX

0

0

16

5089

IMBREX

0

0

16

5089

IMBREX

0

0

18

5089

IMBREX

0

0

22

5089

TEGULA

0

0

0

5089

TEGULA

0

0

0

5089

TEGULA

0

0

22

5093

IMBREX

0

0

0

5093

TEGULA

0

0

0

5094

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5095

IMBREX

0

0

12

5095

IMBREX

0

0

12

5095

IMBREX

0

0

14

5095

IMBREX

0

0

14

5095

IMBREX

0

0

15

5095

IMBREX

0

0

15

5095

IMBREX

0

0

16

5095

IMBREX

0

0

17

5095

IMBREX

0

0

18

5095

IMBREX

0

0

18

5095

IMBREX

0

0

18

5095

IMBREX

0

0

19

5095

IMBREX

0

0

19

5095

RBRICK

0

0

0

5095

TEGULA

0

0

13

5095

TEGULA

0

0

16

5095

TEGULA

0

0

18

5095

TEGULA

0

0

19

5095

TEGULA

0

0

20

5095

TEGULA

0

0

20

5095

TEGULA

0

0

21

5095

TEGULA

0

0

21

5095

TEGULA

0

0

21

5095

TEGULA

0

0

22

5095

TEGULA

0

0

22

5095

TEGULA

0

0

24

5095

TEGULA

0

0

26

5095

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5096

TEGULA

0

0

0

5098

TEGULA

0

0

0

5098

TEGULA

0

0

20

5098

TEGULA

0

0

22

5099

IMBREX

0

0

15

5099

IMBREX

0

0

15

5099

IMBREX

0

0

16

5099

IMBREX

0

0

17

5099

IMBREX

0

0

20

5099

IMBREX

0

0

21

5099

RBRICK

0

0

53

5099

TEGULA

0

0

0

5099

TEGULA

0

0

16

5099

TEGULA

0

0

21

5099

TEGULA

0

0

26

5101

IMBREX

0

0

0

5101

TEGULA

0

0

0

5103

IMBREX

0

0

13

5103

IMBREX

0

0

15

5103

IMBREX

0

0

18

5104

FLUE

0

0

13

5104

IMBREX

0

0

15

5104

IMBREX

0

0

20

5104

IMBREX

0

0

21

5104

TEGULA

0

0

16

5104

TEGULA

0

0

25

5104

TEGULA

0

0

25

5104

TEGULA

0

0

26

5104

TEGULA

0

0

27

5104

TEGULA

0

0

28

5104

TEGULA

0

0

31

5105

TEGULA

0

0

19

5106

IMBREX

0

0

12

5106

IMBREX

0

0

15

5106

IMBREX

0

0

18

5106

IMBREX

0

0

19

5106

TEGULA

0

0

0

5106

TEGULA

0

0

30

5106

TEGULA

0

0

30

5108

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5109

TEGULA

0

0

0

5109

TEGULA

0

0

24

5110

IMBREX

0

0

16

5110

TEGULA

0

0

0

5111

IMBREX

0

0

12

5111

TEGULA

0

0

23

5113

IMBREX

0

0

0

5113

IMBREX

0

0

15

5113

IMBREX

0

0

16

5113

TEGULA

0

0

0

5113

TEGULA

0

0

13

5113

TEGULA

0

0

15

5115

IMBREX

0

0

14

5115

IMBREX

0

0

17

5115

TEGULA

0

0

0

5115

TEGULA

0

0

18

5115

TEGULA

0

0

19

5115

TEGULA

0

0

23

5117

IMBREX

0

0

12

5117

IMBREX

0

0

14

5117

TEGULA

0

0

23

5117

TEGULA

0

0

31

5118

IMBREX

0

0

14

5118

IMBREX

0

0

16

5118

IMBREX

0

0

21

5118

TEGULA

0

0

22

5119

IMBREX

0

0

13

5119

IMBREX

0

0

13

5119

IMBREX

0

0

14

5119

IMBREX

0

0

20

5119

TEGULA

0

0

18

5119

TEGULA

0

0

22

5119

TEGULA

0

0

26

5120

IMBREX

0

0

14

5120

IMBREX

0

0

14

5120

IMBREX

0

0

17

5120

TEGULA

0

0

0

5122

IMBREX

0

0

16

5122

IMBREX

0

0

18

5122

IMBREX

0

0

21

5122

IMBREX

0

0

24

5122

TEGULA

0

0

17

5122

TEGULA

0

0

21

5122

TEGULA

0

0

22

5125

IMBREX

0

0

11

5125

TEGULA

0

0

24

5128

IMBREX

0

0

14

5128

TEGULA

0

0

0

5128

TEGULA

0

0

17

5128

TEGULA

0

0

24

5143

IMBREX

0

0

13

5143

IMBREX

0

0

19

5144

TEGULA

0

0

0

5144

TEGULA

0

0

0

5144

TEGULA

0

0

17

5144

TEGULA

0

0

17

5144

TEGULA

0

0

18

5144

TEGULA

0

0

20

5144

TEGULA

0

0

20

5144

TEGULA

0

0

21

5144

TEGULA

0

0

24

5144

TEGULA

0

0

24

5144

TEGULA

0

0

25

5144

TEGULA

0

0

27

5144

TEGULA

0

0

28

5145

IMBREX

0

0

12

5145

IMBREX

0

0

18

5145

IMBREX

0

0

19

5145

TEGULA

0

0

0

5146

IMBREX

0

0

23

5146

IMBREX

0

0

23

5146

RBRICK

0

0

67

5146

TEGULA

0

0

0

5146

TEGULA

0

0

19

5146

TEGULA

0

0

22

5146

TEGULA

0

0

25

5147

IMBREX

0

0

20

5147

TEGULA

0

0

25

5147

TEGULA

0

0

28

5148

IMBREX

0

0

18

5148

IMBREX

0

0

18

5148

TEGULA

0

0

18

5149

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5150

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5153

IMBREX

0

0

15

5153

TEGULA

0

0

30

5153

TEGULA

0

0

31

5154

IMBREX

0

0

19

5154

TEGULA

0

0

0

5154

TEGULA

0

0

23

5156

IMBREX

0

0

17

5156

IMBREX

0

0

17

5157

FLUE

0

0

25

5157

IMBREX

0

0

0

5157

IMBREX

0

0

16

5157

IMBREX

0

0

16

5157

IMBREX

0

0

17

5157

IMBREX

0

0

18

5157

IMBREX

380

0

17

5157

RBRICK

0

0

35

5157

TEGULA

0

0

0

5157

TEGULA

0

0

0

5157

TEGULA

0

0

20

5157

TEGULA

0

0

25

5157

TEGULA

0

0

26

5159

TEGULA

0

0

19

5160

TEGULA

0

0

20

5161

IMBREX

0

0

21

5161

IMBREX

0

0

26

5161

TEGULA

0

0

25

5165

TEGULA

0

0

0

5165

TEGULA

0

0

25

5178

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5182

IMBREX

0

0

13

5182

IMBREX

0

0

18

5182

IMBREX

0

0

19

5185

IMBREX

0

0

0

5185

IMBREX

0

0

13

5185

IMBREX

0

0

16

5185

IMBREX

0

0

18

5185

IMBREX

0

0

20

5185

IMBREX

0

0

21

5185

TEGULA

0

0

18

5185

TEGULA

0

0

18

5185

TEGULA

0

0

22

5185

TEGULA

0

0

27

5185

TEGULA

0

0

29

5189

DAUB

0

0

0

5189

RBRICK

0

0

59

5189

TEGULA

0

0

26

5193

IMBREX

0

0

15

5193

IMBREX

0

0

16

5193

IMBREX

0

0

18

5193

TEGULA

0

0

0

5193

TEGULA

0

0

22

5193

TEGULA

0

0

24

5193

TEGULA

0

0

26

5196

IMBREX

0

0

15

5196

IMBREX

0

0

19

5196

IMBREX

0

0

20

5196

TEGULA

0

0

0

5196

TEGULA

0

0

0

5196

TEGULA

0

0

0

5196

TEGULA

0

0

0

5198

IMBREX

0

0

11

5198

IMBREX

0

0

14

5198

IMBREX

0

0

20

5198

RBRICK

0

0

0

5198

TEGULA

0

0

0

5198

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5199

UNWASHED

0

0

0

5206

FLUE

0

0

27

5206

IMBREX

0

0

13

5206

IMBREX

0

0

13

5206

TEGULA

0

0

19

5206

TEGULA

0

0

22

5206

TEGULA

0

0

22

5206

TEGULA

0

0

23

5206

TEGULA

0

0

24

5207

FLUE

0

0

16

5207

FLUE

0

72

12

5207

IMBREX

0

0

14

5207

IMBREX

0

0

14

5207

IMBREX

0

0

15

5207

IMBREX

0

0

15

5207

IMBREX

0

0

16

5207

TEGULA

0

0

24

5223

TEGULA

0

0

0

5228

IMBREX

0

0

13

 

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