ROUKEN GLEN: MANSION HOUSE 2013 DATA STRUCTURE REPORT

Transcription

1 ROUKEN GLEN: MANSION HOUSE 2013 DATA STRUCTURE REPORT

2 Author (s) Editors Report Date May 2014 Working Partners Funders Paul Murtagh Phil Richardson East Renfrewshire Council East Renfrewshire Council, Heritage Lottery Fund

3 Contents... 1 Summary... 3 Introduction... 4 Acknowledgments... 4 Project background... 7 Previous investigations... 7 Historical overview... 7 Methodology... 9 Excavation... 9 Archaeological Results: Excavation Overview Trench Trench Trench Archaeological Discussion Conclusion & Recommendations Recommendations for future work References Appendix A Context Register Photographic Register Drawing Register Small Finds Finds Catalogue

4 Summary This report outlines the results of a two day excavation that took place between the 21 st and 22 nd of September, 2013 at Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire. The evaluation was carried out in order to assess the potential for any archaeological remains relating to the site of the former Mansion House that once occupied the park. The project represents the first stage of a wider public engagement with the heritage of the park in relation to East Renfrewshire Council s Parks for People Award, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and contributes to one of the five key themes outlined in the archaeological project plan; Living on the Land: The Park as a living estate (Richardson 2013). Three small trenches were excavated on the former site of the Mansion House. Substantial deposits relating to its demolition were discovered along with a number of artefacts relating to its construction its use and its destruction. In addition, the remains of a brick built wall were discovered, highlighting the potential for the discovery of further significant archaeological remains relating to the house. The Mansion House once sat proudly in the centre of the park and started life as Birkinshaw House when it was constructed by John Smith in It was later purchased by Alexander Crum in 1852, who renamed the house Thornliebank House (after his mill holdings north of Rouken Glen) in The mansion was continuously remodelled and extended throughout the years and remained in private hands until the house and lands were passed to the citizens of Glasgow The house was occupied by the military during World War II, before its increasing dilapidation saw it demolished in Today, nothing can be seen of the house on the ground but as a result of excavations carried out in September 2013 the remains of this once important place can now be reassessed and better understood. 3

5 Introduction This Data Structure Report presents the results of a two day archaeological investigation of the former site of Birkinshaw/Thornliebank House in Rouken Glen Park, East Renfrewshire, which was carried out in September Rouken Glen is located approximately five miles to the south west of Glasgow, Scotland. The park is situated amidst a highly developed area within East Renfrewshire and is bounded to the north and east by residential housing, a golf course to the west and a railway to the south. The area that now forms the park has a rich archaeological heritage and contains sites dating from the prehistoric period through to the 20 th century. Birkinshaw house itself as well as its surrounding designed landscape date from the early 19 th century. Acknowledgments East Renfrewshire Council, Rouken Glen Park and Archaeology Scotland would like to thank all the volunteers for their help with the project: Ross Wallace, Peter Johnson, Cathriona M Lennie, Nikos Alexandrou, Courtney Culley, Beth Gemmel, Rei Iwanaga, Kit-King Hau, Paul Gannon, Liam Delvin, Susanne Ewins, Kathleen McCaskill 4

6 Figure 1: Location maps, Rouken Glen and study area 5

7 Figure 2: Trench location plans 6

8 Project background Previous investigations A short historical assessment of the development of Rouken Glen was undertaken by Richard Tuffin in April 2013, the results of which were detailed in Rouken Glen: Historic Issues Report (Tuffin 2013). As part of this, a brief history and map regression of Thornliebank House was completed, the results of which have been incorporated into the historical overview below. Historical overview The history of Thornliebank House has been previously outlined in the above-named report. The following therefore provides only a brief summary and reference to the full history is encouraged. The first incarnation of Thornliebank House was built after 1839 by John Smith, the then-owner of Rouken Glen. The first useful depiction of the house in the First Ordnance Survey (surveyed 1858) shows that the building was referred to as Birkenshaw House (Figure 3), its plan forming a rough 'C' shape, with the open side to the north. The estate - and consequently the house - was purchased by Alexander Crum in 1852, who renamed it Thornliebank House (after the Crum s mill holdings north of Rouken Glen) in The house's depiction in the Second Ordnance Survey (surveyed 1895/6) shows that the plan of the renamed Thornliebank House was very different from the earlier incarnation, suggesting that the house had either been extensively remodelled or completely rebuilt (Figure 4). A photograph from 1909 shows the post-1879 house as being an imposing two-storey edifice, built from sandstone with a slated roof (Figure 5). The exterior of the house was extensively detailed, including the addition of a circular tower set into the eastern wall. The house and surrounding estate were sold in 1905 and passed to the Corporation of the City of Glasgow with the rest of the park in The house was initially used as offices by the Corporation, before it was opened as a tea rooms in the 1920s. The house was occupied during World War II, before its increasing dilapidation saw it demolished in A number of visitors to the archaeological excavation in 2013 remembered having been in the building as children, recollecting that the rear (southern) spaces had been occupied by kitchens and service spaces. 7 1 National Archives of Scotland. IRS 79/12, 'Eastwood Parish, Rouken Glen', ca.1910.

9 Figure 3: Birkenshaw House in 1858 Figure 4: Thornliebank House in 1895/6 Figure 5: Photograph of Thornliebank House taken in The photograph shows the eastern wall of the house, with the arched portal fronting the house clearly visible to the right (Archaeology Scotland collection) 8

10 Methodology Excavation Between the 21st and 22nd of September 2013 a small scale trail excavation took place at the former site of Birkinshaw/Thornliebank House in Rouken Glen Park, East Renfrew. Three small trial trenches, each measuring 2m by 1m in extent, were opened over the site of the house in order to test the potential for any archaeological remains relating to the house. The excavation was conducted in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists Code of Conduct (IfA 2013) and the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation (IfA 2008). All archaeological features and deposits were recorded using standard Archaeology Scotland Pro-forma recording sheets. The results of the excavation are set out in detail below. All contexts, drawings, photographs and small finds recorded during the excavation are presented within Appendix A, found towards the back of this report 9

11 Archaeological Results: Excavation Overview Three trenches were opened over the remains of the mansion house. Each trench measured 2m north to south and 1m east to west. The trenches were located within the area identified by map regression as being the location of the former house. Trench 1 Below the 0.1m thick topsoil (100) in Trench 1, which was a dark grey, moderately compacted silt, there were a series of demolition deposits, (101), (103), (104), and wall foundations (102). The demolition deposit (101) covered the entirety of the trench and was up to 0.2m in thickness. It was composed of a dark grey moderately compacted silty clay that contained up to 10% of mixed angular and rounded stones, up to 10% of coal and charcoal fragments and large amounts of general demolition material as well as ceramic, glass and metal artefacts of 19 th and 20 th century date. Below this demolition material there were the remains of mortar bonded, brick built foundations (102), which were 0.65m in width and orientated east-west across the trench, 0.6m from its south edge, surviving to one or two courses 0.1m in height (Figure 6). Abutting these foundations were two different demolition or made ground deposits (103) and (104). (103) was a grey, loosely compacted ashy silty gravel that covered the northern part of the trench below (101) and abutting (102). This deposit was 0.6m in width and 1m in length which was excavated to a depth of 0.25m. Within the deposit were large amounts of moderately sized angular stones as well as fragments of brick, slate, metal and other general demolition material. Covering the south side of the trench, below (101) and abutting the south side of the foundations (102), at a depth of 0.32m, there was a deposit of light grey firmly compacted silty gravel (104). This deposit contained only small amounts of demolition material and may represent the remains of the original made ground on which the mansion house was constructed. 10

12 Figure 6. Brick built wall foundations (102). Trench 2 Compared to Trench 1, Trench 2 did not contain any structural remains. Instead, the deposits within the trench related to levelling and demolition material. Below the 0.1m thick dark grey, moderately compacted, topsoil (200) there was a deposit of made ground (201) which was a dark grey clayish silt, 0.1m thick that contained occasional angular and rounded stones, flecks of charcoal as well as fragments of glass and ceramic. A possible medicine bottle possibly dating from 1850 to 1920s was recorded in this layer, although it may not relate to the house due to the security of the context it was discovered in. The bottle does neatly fit the sequence of the building as a house and office before becoming a tea room in the 1920s. Below these deposits was another deposit of levelling material (202), which may relate to the made ground material (303) in Trench 3. This 0.05m thick dark grey, firmly compacted gritty gravel, covered the entire trench and contained occasional large stones and lumps of charcoal. Beneath these made ground and levelling deposits was a loosely compacted pale brown demolition deposit (203) of mixed mortar, brick and stones that covered the bottom of trench. This deposit was similar to the demolition deposit (104) in Trench 1. Trench 3 As with the other two trenches, below the 0.1m thick moderately compacted dark grey topsoil (300), a fragment of reinforced clear glass with wire inset and dimpled embossed surface on one side. This is possibly "Chicken Wire" glass from c.1920s and could have been related to the conversion of the building into a tearoom, perhaps as part of a door?. There were a series of demolition and made ground deposits (301), (302), (303), (304) and (305), but as with Trench 2, there was no evidence of any structural remains. Running across the trench (301) was a 0.15m thick deposit of firmly compacted orange clayey sand that contained small amounts of river pebbles and fragments of glass and pottery. One sherd of clear glass, curved and embossed with "UNITED DAIRIES SCOTLAND" in a sunburst(?) decoration, presumably form a milk bottle was recorded. United Dairies expanded into Scotland during WWII, merged to become Unicrest in 1959 and suggests the bottle dates to the occupation of the mansion during WWII. Below this 11

13 made ground material there was a thin deposit of firmly compacted, dark grey clay (302) that was between 0.05m and 0.1m thick which contained occasional small angular stones and rubble. Due to time constraints only the northern half of Trench 3 was excavated below (302). In this half of the trench, below 302, there was a moderately compacted, dark grey, ashy blaze deposit which was 0.2m in maximum thickness that contained occasional small stones, brick and glass fragments (303). The base and sides of Barr glass bottle were recorded in this layer. This design was used for Irn Bru bottles between 1954 and 1960 and was possibly related to the use of the house post-war or even during the demolition. This made ground deposit covered more substantial demolition material (304) and (305). In the west side of this part of the trench was a thin layer of roof slates (304) which covered an area 0.85m by 0.7m in extent. This concentrated deposit of material clearly relates to the demolition of the mansion but as it was not fully excavated it is unclear if it relates to a specific part of the structure or if it is a general demolition deposit. Associated with this material was a collection of mortar bonded bricks (305). This feature was not excavated and it unclear if it represents demolition material or a wall foundation and was partially covered by the slates (304) and measured 0.85m by 0.5m in excavated extent. Archaeological Discussion It is clear from the evidence presented above that Thornliebank House was comprehensively demolished, and the ground on which it sat has effectively been levelled and remodelled into the open space that we see today. Each of the three trenches contained substantial demolition deposits which included numerous artefacts relating to life during the occupation of the building, from its earliest foundations all the way through to its demolition. However it can be seen that it was only in Trench 1 that there was any definite evidence for structural remains relating to the house and while this evidence is rather slight, it does highlight the potential for the discovery of more substantial structural features relating to the mansion. Owing to the fact that the trenches were close together it can be reasonably expected that the demolition deposits in each of the trenches relate to the same event and that they can be thought of as being the same deposit. This is especially true of (101), (201) and (303), which appear to be the last of the demolition deposits to be spread across the site. While the more substantial deposits of (104), and (203) were concentrated in trenches 1 and 2 respectively. In Trench 3 there was a more unusual deposit of demolition material consisting of a collection of slates (304) and a possible grubbed up wall foundation (305). The wall foundation (102) in Trench 1 is relatively thin, measuring only 0.65m in maximum width and it can be suggested that this did not support one of the main structural walls of the mansion house. From photographs of the house when it was standing it can be seen that it was constructed of substantial sandstone blocks, like many of the contemporary and still standing houses in this part of Scotland. Therefore it can be suggested that the brick foundations may relate to an internal wall division within the house or were perhaps associated with an unsubstantial outbuilding that would have been attached to the house. It should be noted however that the extent of the wall was not fully exposed and these interpretations may change 12

14 depending on the results of future work. Nevertheless, these remains do highlight the potential for the discovery of further significant archaeological features relating to the Mansion House. The finds recovered paint an interesting picture of use of the house, possibly mixed through the different layers as the house was demolished. Unfortunately the fact that they were not recovered from secure contexts means they can only be seen as anecdotal evidence at best. There is every chance that the finds were imported during the levelling of the site post demolition. Conclusion & Recommendations The archaeology evaluation of the former site of Thornliebank House revealed evidence for the foundations of this once substantial and prominent house as well as considerable deposits relating to its demolition. This evidence highlights the potential for the discovery of further archaeological remains relating to this important piece of heritage relating to the development and use of Rouken Glen Park. The small trenches opened during the course of the archaeological evaluation clearly demonstrate that there are archaeological features and deposits relating to the Mansion House. Future work would benefit from excavating a larger area, concentrating on the area around the three trenches described in this report, so that a better understanding of the archaeological remains of this important site could be achieved. This is particularly relevant in relation to the wall foundations discovered in Trench 1. By expanding the trench in this area the extent of this wall and its possible function could be determined. In addition, given the large amounts of artefacts recovered from the site, which relate to its earliest occupation through to its demolition, it is envisaged that a clear picture of daily practices in relation to the lives of the people that built, lived within, and demolished the house could be achieved. The artefacts could also allow us to explore the activities that took place at the house during its occupation by the armed forces during World War Two, as well as its subsequent use as a tea rooms during its life as a part of Rouken Glen Park in the post war period. Recommendations for future work Expand the excavation area to investigate the extent of the wall discovered in Trench 1 and determine the full extent of the House Investigate how the House changed and was remodelled over time. Investigate, through a detailed investigation of the material culture, how people lived during the occupation of the house and the practices that took place there. Investigate how the House was affected and how it was used during its occupation by the Armed Forces during World War Two. 13

15 References Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014, Code of Conduct Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014, Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation Ordnance Survey, 25 Inch map, Renfrewshire sheets XII & XVII, 1858 (published 1863) Ordnance Survey, 25 Inch map, Renfrewshire sheets 013 & 017, 1895/6 (published 1897) Ordnance Survey, 25 Inch map, Renfrewshire sheets 013 & 017, 1913 Richardson, P. 2013, Rouken Glen Park Archaeology Programme: Project Outline unpublished report prepared by Archaeology Scotland Tuffin, R, 2013, Rouken Glen: Historic Issues Report, unpublished report prepared for Archaeology Scotland 14

16 Appendix Context Register Context No Site- Subdivision Drawing Description Interpretation Stratigraphic Relationship 100 TR 1 Topsoil & Turf Topsoil & Turf 101 TR 1 Dark grey ashy soil, made ground material and demolition Made ground 102 TR 1 Brick wall/foundation Wall/foundation 103 TR 1 Light grey compact silty gravely clay in the north of the trench 104 TR 1 Dark grey demolition deposit containing lots of demolition debris Deposit possibly from within a building Demolition made ground 200 TR 2 Topsoil & Turf Topsoil & Turf 201 TR 2 Loosely mixed deposit Topsoil 202 TR 2 Gritty clay 203 TR 2 Brick & Stone fragments in a mottled clay Rubble dumping material/ 300 TR 3 Topsoil & Turf Topsoil & Turf 301 TR 3 Mixed clay and ash Possible Demolition deposit, grey material brown/orange 302 TR 3 Stiff grey clay with Made ground, post mixed inclusions demolition 303 TR 3 Dark grey ashy gravel Made ground post and blaze demolition 304 TR 3 Thin grey slates Deposit of demotion material from roof 305 TR 3 Mixed orange clay Demolition deposit with brick and mortar inclusions Photographic Register Photo Jpeg Description Taken From Conditions # # Trench 2 N Dry Trench 2 S Dry Pre-Ex Shot of TR1 S O/C Pre-Ex Shot of TR1 S O/C Shot of TR3 following removal of turf N O/C Shot of TR3 following removal N O/C 15

17 of turf TR2 N O/C TR2 N O/C Pre-ex shot of (301) TR3 N O/C Pre-ex shot of (301) TR3 N O/C Pre-ex shot of (302) TR3 N Rain Pre-ex shot of (302) TR3 N Rain Mid-ex shot of TR1 S O/C Mid-ex shot of TR1 S O/C Mid-ex TR2 (201) N O/C Mid-ex TR2 (201) W O/C Mid-ex TR2 Rubble Layer (202) N O/C Mid-ex TR2 Rubble Layer (202) W O/C Mid-ex TR2 Rubble Layer (203) N Sunny Mid-ex TR2 Rubble Layer (203) E Sunny Mid-ex TR2 Detail Rubble Layer N Sunny (203) General shot TR3 Post-Ex N Sunny General shot TR3 Post-Ex N Sunny Close up of 304/305 N Sunny Close up of 304/305 N Sunny W facing section of TR3 W Sunny W facing section of TR3 W Sunny Post-ex of TR1 S Sunny Post-ex of TR1 W Sunny Post-ex of TR1 N Sunny Post-ex of TR1 N Sunny Post-ex of TR1 W Sunny Post-ex of TR1 W Sunny Post-ex of TR1 E Sunny Post-ex of TR1 E Sunny Pre-ex shot of (304) & (305) W Sunny Pre-ex shot of (304) & (305) W Sunny Drawing Register DR# Sheet Description Section/Plan Scale # 1 1 West facing section Tr1 Section 1: Post-ex Plan Tr1 Plan 1: East Facing Section Tr2 Section 1: Post-Ex Plan of Tr2, Plan of Plan 1:20 rubble West facing section of Tr 3 Section 1:10 16

18 Small Finds SF No Context Description Material Pottery Fragments TR1 Ceramic Glass Fragments TR1 Glass Glass Fragments TR1 Glass Pottery Fragments TR1 Ceramic Nails? TR2 Metal Glass Fragments TR2 Glass Pottery Fragments TR2 Ceramic Slate TR2 Slate Pottery Fragments TR2 Ceramic Glass Fragments TR2 Glass Glass Fragments TR3 Glass Pottery Fragments TR3 Ceramic Pottery Fragments TR3 Ceramic Glass Fragments TR3 Glass Pottery Fragments TR3 Ceramic Glass Fragments TR3 Glass Glass Fragment TR3 Irn Bru Bottle Base Glass Pottery Fragments TR3 Ceramic Brick Marked "ISTL" Brick Brick Marked "LO" Brick Finds Catalogue Trench Context Number Fabric 1 (dominant) Object count Weight/gr Further Notes Ceramic broken Clay Pipe stem with no decoration.1 unglazed orange pottery sherd, no decoration, slightly curved. 1 very coarse ceramic sherd, no glaze on the outside and fragments of yellowish glaze on the inner side, from waste pipe? Glass sherds of flat fairly thin glass from window? 1 sherd of thick clear glass with a small portion of rim, from a vase? Glass clear glass frgment of bottle neck and top. 1 green glass fragment of bottle neck and top. 1 thick sherd of pale green glass. 1 thick sherd of frosted glass, door? 17

19 1 101 Ceramic sherd of white glazed pottery, undecorated and curved, mug? 1 sherd purple and white glazed, transfer printed rim sherd, from a cup? 1 white and blue glazed transfer printed shaped rim sherd, slightly curved from a plate. 1 blue, black and white glazed possibly transfer printed (not much glaze left) pottery rim sherd, plate? 1 sherd pale yellow glazed orange pottery sherd, fragment of base and side, from a large heavy dish Metal heavily corroded metal nails, 2 quite small possibly roofing nails and 1 larger and bent Glass clear glass sherd, from base of bottle with V8 embossed. 1 very dark green glass sherd, small Ceramic small off white glazed undecorated sherd, with lip from base of plate? Slate piece of slate Ceramic cream glazed undecorated pottery sherd, with rim and shoulder of pot, possibly stoneware. 1 dark brown glazed undecorated pottery sherd.1 brown sherd of glazed undecorated thick pottery, coarse fabric, possibly stoneware from a large vessel.1 brown and white glazed decorated transfer printed rim sherd, quite fine, cup? 1 blue and white glazed transfer printed, shaped rim sherd of plate or shallow dish Glass 8 86 Assorted glass sherd. 1 clear glass sherd, curved, with writing embossed, "The... Loaned" a circle with an S inside. 1 clear glass rim sherd, from a jar? 1 clear glass curved sherd from the neck of a bottle.1 flat clear glass sherd, from a window. 1 sherd of reddish brown glass, base of a rectangular bottle, Possibly a medicine bottle, with embossing, "1OZ" in the center,"a4" up a short side and up and down arrow on the other. The seams on the base and up the body of the bottle seem to indicate the bottle was made between 1850's to 1920's(???) 2 sherds brown glass, curved, from a bottle, but not the same as the base.1 sherd dark green glass, slightly curved, probably from a bottle Glass sherds of flat clear glass, window glass. 1 sherd dark green glass, slightly curved, probably from a bottle. 1 sherd clear glass, slightly curved with a "D" embossed on it, from a bottle.1 sherd clear glass, very thick with a slightly yellow cast, only a small sherd. 1 sherd reinforced clear glass with wire inset and dimpled embossed surface on one side. "Chicken Wire" glass from c.1920s Stone 1 16 Soapstone? Ceramic off white glazed decorated pottery rim sherd, green and red decoration. 1 sherd off white glazed undecorated pottery sherd, of a coarse fabric, from a jar? 1 off white glazed undecorated pottery sherd, slightly curved. 1 blue and white glazed pottery sherd, probably transfer printed, rim sherd, flat, from a plate.1 red and white decorated pottery sherd, slightly curved, small sherd. 1 sherd unglazed pottery sherd, pale orange and coarse. 18

20 3 301 Glass sherds of flat fairly thin clear glass from window.1 sherd clear glass, slightly curved, from a bottle. 1 sherd clear glass, curved and embossed with "UNITED DAIRIES SCOTLAND" in a sunburst(?) decoration. United Dairies expanded into Scotland during WWII, merged to become Unicrest in Ceramic sherd unglazed pottery, orange fabric, thick bodied, slightly curved, and end piece of a pipe/plant pot? 1 sherd unglazed pottery, orange fabric,fine texture, with scored decoration - lines, slightly curved.1 sherd and purple decorated glazed pottery sherd, decorated with a leaf, slightly curved. 1 sherd white glazed undecorated pottery, shaped, looks to be the shoulder of a vessel. 1 piece of clay pipe stem, undecorated, worn, narrow. 1 sherd unglazed ceramic, coarse fabric with an edge, thick bodied. 1 sherd unglazed, orange fabric pottery, decoration of scored lines on one side, white coated on other side (not glazed) Glass sherds flat clear glass, window glass. 1 sherd dark green glass undecorated, curved, from a bottle. 1 sherd clear flat embossed decorated glass, from a flat bottle? Too thin for window glass? Glass Base and sides of Barr glass bottle. This design was used for Irn Bru bottles between 1954 and Ceramic sherd, red blue and gold glazed, transfer printed decorated pottery rim sherd. Very fine - porcelain? From a tea cup? 1 sherd off white glazed undecorated pottery sherd, shaped, from the shoulder of a vessel, only small sherd. 1 sherd white glazed pottery, with a faint pale orange line decoration, flat with a shoulder(?) part of a plate? 2 sherds light brown glazed stoneware, from a large storage jar/bottle Brick Broken brick, with letters "ISTL" stamped on. Thought to be a THISTLE Fire Brick -'Thistle' bricks are believed to have been manufactured in Scotland by J G Stein who had works in the Castlecary & Bonnybridge area and also at Manuel near Linlithgow. Manufactured from Brick Broken brick, with letters "LO" and possibly "N" stamped on. The only Scottish brickworks using "LON..." stamp is Longbar or Langbar Colliery, Beith, Ayrshire. The brick kilns aren't shown on 1895 map so thought to have been shut down between 1849 and