News and Information
We are now a Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Registered Organisation!
We are pleased to announce that ISCA Archaeology is now a Registered Organisation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). This prestigious accreditation is a unique quality assurance scheme and it reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical practice in archaeology.
Our team is dedicated to providing expert archaeological services with integrity, professionalism, and a deep respect for cultural heritage.
We continue to grow and uphold these values for which we have been accredited.
News and Information
Discovery of a WWII Gun Emplacement at Palmerston Heights, Plymouth
In January 2024, ISCA Archaeology conducted a series of archaeological investigations after ground workers discovered a Second World War anti-aircraft gun emplacement at a future development site in Plymouth.
In order to document this historic structure, ISCA utilised innovative recording methods, including drone photography, photogrammetry and a review of aerial photography taken during the war through Luftwaffe reconnaissance flights.
Subsequent archaeological recording revealed that the emplacement comprised three rooms to the northwest (see emplacement plan below), connected to a circular gun position to the southeast.
A historic building assessment determined that the earliest visible remains of the anti-aircraft position on the site date back to the latter stages of the Second World War. The circular design of the gun position, along with a central cavity or pit, indicates it was likely intended for a 5.25-inch anti-aircraft gun. This central pit, along with a subterranean tunnel connecting the machinery/munitions room (Room 2) to the base of the gun position, likely housed self-loading and hydraulic mechanisms, innovations associated with the heavier 5.25-inch gun emplacements.
Aerial photographs, taken immediately after the end of the war, between September and October 1945, indicate that the construction of the circular arrangement of gun emplacements was never fully completed. These photographs also suggest that Room 1 and Room 2 of the identified gun emplacement may never have been roofed. Despite this, the emplacement was still visible in a 1955 aerial photograph and may have remained unused for some time before being partially demolished and subsequently covered with made ground.
Hence, there is a possibility, given that the position represented that of a newer model 5.25-inch gun, that the position was mothballed as part of the Nucleus Force sites between the end of the Second World War and 1955. However, there is no direct documentary evidence to suggest this was the case.
News and Information
Paved Surface at Piles Hill Stone Row, Dartmoor National Park
In September 2023, Simon and Jerry from ISCA Archaeology had the privilege to be involved with a research excavation organised by Dartmoor National Park Authority, and to help a small, but very knowledgeable and enthusiastic band of volunteers. The purpose of the excavation was to further understanding of one of the many enigmatic prehistoric stone rows on Dartmoor, which may date as far back as 4000 years, or even older.
The Piles Hill Stone Row, located on high, open moorland some 3 miles north of Ivybridge, is one of the longest stone rows on Dartmoor, stretching 865m. Around 120 visible stones form this row, the majority of which are of megalithic proportions (between 1m to 2m in length/height), and laid out as two parallel lines, forming a double row crossing a prominent watershed. This stone row is unusual in that all but 12 of the stones have fallen, and those that have not are leaning at acute angles. It is likely that many more stones remain hidden below the ground and that some have been removed. This is most likely towards the center of the row, where the now dismantled former railway track leading to the Redlake China Clay pit crosses the rows alignment.
Prior to these excavations, only a very small handful of modern archaeological investigations had taken place with regards to the stone rows on Dartmoor and have generally posed more questions than providing answers.
The excavations at Piles Hill were undertaken with the aim to answer several important questions about this stone row. Prior to the works, a geophysical survey had been undertaken around selected stones and a nearby stone mound which is most likely an associated burial cairn. The excavations would hopefully provide an insight into how well this below-ground survey technology works on the stone rich, peat covered landscape of Dartmoor. Additionally, answers were sought to further understand the monument, its date and how and why it was in its present condition. Had all the stones originally been standing, and if so, were they then deliberately pulled down, maybe not long after it was built? Or did the stones fall due to the ravages of time and cattle? Had the stone row once stood majestically crossing the exposed hilltop, seen for miles around, or was it always constructed with the majority of the stones intentionally lying on the ground?
To answer these questions, four small, hand-dug excavation trenches were situated around the ends of four of the fallen stones, and another excavation trench was located on the edge of one of the nearby burial cairns.
Each trench exposed a former ‘socket hole’ into which the stone would have been placed, indicating that these large stones did in fact once stand upright, also suggesting that it is possible that all the stones within the row also stood proud. These ‘socket holes’ were excavated and recorded, but unfortunately no artefacts such as pottery or flint were found. However, several soil samples from each ‘socket hole’ were taken for further analysis.
The analysis of the soil samples from the ‘socket holes’ will hopefully produce significant evidence and information, such as through radiocarbon dating. These samples may also produce evidence as to what was happening in the immediate vicinity with regards to the environment, what the local vegetation was like, was it open ground, shrubland or was it wooded, and was anything being deliberately grown here? This can be determined through the presence of any charred seeds, pollen, or even fragments of insects or snail shells which can all help provide a bigger picture of how the landscape looked all those years ago. Hopefully the results of this analysis will be back soon, and we cannot wait to see what information they tell us.
Interestingly, but also unexpectedly, one of the trenches uncovered what appeared to be a deliberately laid surface of quartz stone, which would have been placed around the base of one of the former upright stones. Quartz is common on Dartmoor, but this laid surface consisted solely of tightly packed quartz stones, a feature not observed elsewhere in the excavation. The reason for this quartz surface is unknown, though it would have reflected the moonlight, especially if wet. A similar paved surface had been found at the base of one of the stones forming part of the ‘Hurlers Stone Circle’ on Bodmin Moor, in nearby Cornwall.
We would like to thank both Lee Bray and Andy Crabbe (DNPA), the landowner, and the amazing volunteers that made working on this project an absolute joy.
News and Information
Excavations at Poughill, Bude
Between November 2021 and March 2022, ISCA Archaeology carried out fieldwork on behalf of Burrington Estates prior to the construction of a new residential development on former agricultural land off Poughill Road near Bude, Cornwall.
The excavations at Poughill predominantly uncovered evidence of agricultural and settlement activity dating to the Middle Iron Age (300-100BC), a period of major social change in British history where trade was booming with Continental Europe.
During the excavations, a range of archaeological features were recorded, these included ditches, pits, and postholes. The most notable of these remains were two circular ditches, forming two separate enclosures with several internal features such as pits and postholes. Middle Iron Age pottery fragments recovered from these both these circular ditches, indicated that these were a representation of late prehistoric rural settlement within the area.
The larger, southerly ‘horseshoe’ shaped enclosure, with an entrance to the west, measured 16m in diameter and contained several postholes and pits. This feature is likely to represent a small stock enclosure, with the internal postholes marking out the location of either former internal fence line divisions or that of a small circular temporary wooden dwelling.
The slightly smaller circular ditch to the north-west, measuring 13m in diameter, contained five postholes that may be the slight remains of a domestic roundhouse. The circular ditch originally forming an external gully to divert rainwater away from the wood and earthen structure. It is likely that further internal postholes would have existed, but these have been lost to later plough damage. Experimental Archaeologists have attempted to reconstruct many examples in Britain; one such example (seen in the photograph) is from Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Along with the recovered pottery fragments, analysed soil samples from the two gullies produced charred wood and seed remains suggesting scrubland environment and a wetter and cooler climate during the time of occupation.
Elsewhere across the site were further ditches and gullies, that although undated are likely to have been associated with the Middle Iron Age activity, and form part of a wider dispersed agricultural landscape, of which more may still lie under the undeveloped fields to the north.
The Revolution of LiDAR in Archaeology
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data is produced by attaching a laser-scanner to an aircraft. A cloud of measurement points across the landscape is produced as the laser-beam is fired at the ground and measured when it is reflected back to the aircraft. Although not originally developed for archaeological uses, LiDAR has emerged as a useful tool in archaeological investigations. The technique’s unique ability to strip away layers of vegetation has resulted in the identification of archaeological sites from earthworks hidden from view by woodland and forest.
In the UK, LiDAR data has produced accurate mapping of prehistoric and medieval landscapes, provided insights into the Hadrian and Antonine Roman frontiers as well as a host of other discoveries.
As part of ISCA Archaeology’s Heritage Consultancy services, ISCA has processed Environmental Agency LiDAR available under Open Government Licence. This has allowed ISCA to identify archaeological constraints to projects at an early stage, saving time, and allowing appropriate mitigation strategies rapidly formulated between developer and Planning Authority.
For more information or details about LiDAR and its use a good source of further reading can be found in- Historic England 2018 Using Airborne Lidar in Archaeological Survey: The Light Fantastic. Swindon. Historic England.
What is the best thing you have ever found?
As archaeologists we are often asked, ‘what is the best thing you have ever found?’ Below you can find what our Heritage Consultant Tim has to say about the best thing he has ever found.
From 2009 to 2011, I was fortunate to be a part of the excavation team in Huaca Pucllana, Lima, Peru. Huaca Pucllana is one of the main archaeological attractions in Lima. Its convenient location right in the heart of Miraflores district makes it a popular stop among travellers. With its adobe and clay structures, the Huaca served as an important ceremonial and administrative centre for the Lima Culture, a society which developed in the Peruvian Central Coast between the years of AD 200 and AD 700. Following the site’s Lima Culture origins, the Huaca saw further occupation during the Wari (AD 700-1100) and the Ichma (AD 1100 – 1469) periods.
During excavations, I uncovered an almost perfectly preserved Ichma Culture offering. Nestled into a pit within the side of the ceremonial pyramid, a complete ceramic vessel, decorated with serpent reliefs, contained the organic remains of ‘chicha’ kernels, a purple corn native to Peru. On top of the offering, a further vessel of gourd ‘maté’ contained the remains of a drink made from chicha which is still consumed in Peru to this day. The significance of this offering primarily derives from its ability to provide insight into religious, ceremonial, and culinary practices of the Peruvian Central Coast during the pre-Incan period.
Project in Street, near Branscombe, provides valuable insight into the origins of the village
In August 2021, ISCA Archaeology conducted an archaeological excavation on land adjacent to the Fountain Head Inn, Street, Devon. The excavation revealed details of the origins of medieval settlement and farming practices in the region. Previously unknown medieval activity close to the centre of the village corresponds closely in date to the earliest recorded origins of the settlement in the early 14th century.
The discovery of two enclosures within the site were found to contain pottery dating to between the 13th and 15th centuries. The recovered pottery assemblage adds an important group of medieval sherds to what is a limited existing resource from East Devon.
Environmental samples taken from these two early ditches indicated that they were infilled with discarded domestic refuse, including burnt material. The charred plant macrofossils recovered are indicative of small-scale domestic crop processing. The absence of weed seeds in the samples examined suggests that the crop had been fully processed in preparation for cooking or grinding into flour. This was potentially carried-out on a day-to-day basis and provides a valuable insight into everyday life in medieval East Devon.
Isca Dumnoniorum
On the 16th of October it is International Archaeology Day, a time to recognise, share and promote archaeology in all its forms To celebrate International Archaeology Day, we thought it would be great to tell you a little bit of why we are called ISCA Archaeology.
As an Exeter based archaeological company primarily working in the South West both our company name and logo draws inspiration from an important focus of our local Heritage. This inspiration comes from the Roman name for Exeter; Isca Dumnoniorum, also known simply as Isca, was originally a legionary fortress built by the 2nd Augustian Legion in approximately AD 55. The fortress soon established itself as the administrative centre for Roman occupation in the South West. This resulted in the formation of bustling town around the fortress known as a Vicus. The surrounding Vicuswas populated by local Britannic peoples keen to profit from a strong Romano-British economy. The town eventually became the city of Exeter. The city walls (some 70% of which survive) mark the former perimeter of the legionary fortress and have been maintained throughout the city’s history.
The name Isca derives from the native Britannic word describing ‘flowing water’, in direct reference to the River Exe. Timber buildings within the fortress, such as a barracks, granaries, and workshops (fabrica) were excavated in the 1970s in advance of the Guildhall shopping centre development. The only known building in the fortress not of timber was a stone-built military bathhouse which was discovered beneath what is now Exeter’s busy Cathedral Green.