Archaeological Investigations at Old Seagers Distillery, Deptford
By Jo Taylor
Introduction
During 2000 and 2007 Pre-Construct Archaeology, on behalf of CgMs
and their client Galliard Homes, conducted a series of archaeological
investigations at Old Seagers Distillery, Deptford, London Borough
of Lewisham. The work was conducted in advance of the redevelopment
of the site for residential purposes.
Archaeological Background
The site is located adjacent to the River Ravensbourne immediately
to the south of Deptford Bridge, the point where Roman Watling Street,
and later manifestations of it, would have crossed the river. Whilst
it is possible that a bridge may have existed the name Deptford
is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon for “deep ford”
thus suggesting that the River Ravensbourne was crossed via a ford
during the early archaeological periods. Archaeological evidence
suggests that Iron Age, Roman and Middle Saxon settlements existed
in the vicinity of the river crossing and during the medieval period,
when a timber bridge was built, a prosperous village, named Depeforde
vill, was established in the Deptford Broadway area. During the
18th to 20th centuries documentary and cartographic evidence demonstrate
that the site itself, particularly the northeast corner, was comprehensively
developed and occupied by distillery, brewery and residential properties.
The Archaeological Investigations
An unexpected discovery during the archaeological excavations was
the presence of an in situ tree stump within the lower
archaeological sequence and during the excavation of the accumulated
peat fills contained within its tree “throw” eighteen
Mesolithic struck flints were retrieved. It is probable that the
tools had been used for piercing/graving and cutting, and associated
fragments of burnt flint may indicate that these activities were
conducted in conjunction with the use of a hearth. The struck flints,
which consisted predominantly of finely made blades, were in a good
condition suggesting they had been recovered close to where they
were originally discarded between 12,000 and 6,000 years ago.
 The
presence of Mesolithic material, close to the western bank of the
River Ravensbourne, most probably indicates the presence of a small,
temporary encampment. Whilst Mesolithic occupation of the Lower
Thames river margins is well attested, it is nonetheless rare to
find, particularly along the River Ravensbourne, potentially
in situ evidence of occupation. (Photo 1: Mesolithic tree stump
and throw)
Encountered across the eastern part of the site, and sealing the
Mesolithic deposits, were two peat horizons. Carbon 14 analysis
is still pending however it is possible that the lower peat horizon
was formed during the Bronze Age whilst the upper peat horizon,
which contained occasional fragments of 2nd century AD pottery,
dates to the Roman period. The presence of the peat horizons indicates
that the eastern part of the site, e.g. the western edge of the
River Ravensbourne, was typified as marsh land during the later
prehistoric and Roman periods. Despite the potential for Roman,
Saxon and medieval occupation deposits on site, as evidenced from
a search of the Greater London Sites and Monuments record, no archaeological
evidence indicative of settlement dating to these periods was found.
Instead, overlying the Roman peat horizon and encountered throughout
the site, were a series of alluvial deposits demonstrative of a
rise in water levels in the post-Roman period.
 The
earliest evidence for occupation on the site, with the exception
of the Mesolithic material, has been attributed to the 16th and
17th centuries whereon a concentrated episode of ground reclamation,
as evidenced by the presence of numerous dumped deposits, was undertaken.
(Photo 2: excavation of 16th-17th century dump layers) In the north
and northeast of the site it was possible to identify sub-phases
within the dump sequences, evidenced by the occasional presence
of pits and ditches, suggesting that the ground reclamation was
undertaken over an extended period of time. Of particular note within
the dump sequence was the presence of a compacted chalk layer which
may represent an abortive/failed attempt at establishing a construction
raft during the 16th/17th centuries. In addition, a wooden shutter,
probably taken from a farm building or warehouse, had been lain
above reused wooden scaffold poles to form a temporary trackway
in the central north of the site. It is probable that the trackway
was established to consolidate an access route associated with the
undertaking of ground reclamation. (Photo 3: excavation of reused
17th century (?) wood shutter)
 During
the late 17th/18th century an indurated chalk construction raft
was deposited across the north and northeast of the site, e.g. the
frontage of Deptford Bridge, and the land immediately to the rear
of this. Built into, and lain above, the construction raft were
numerous foundations, drains, internal floor surfaces and external
yard surfaces associated with the 18th century buildings that once
occupied the site. The buildings, which probably represent a mixture
of warehouses, workshops and residential units, are thought to be
associated with the sites usage as a brewery and sugar refinery
during the 18th century (Photos 4 & 5: 18th century buildings).
 |
 |
Photos 4 & 5: 18th
century buildings |
During the 19th century a secondary phase of ground reclamation
and construction took place with the pre-existing 18th century buildings
either being levelled or incorporated into the new structures. Excavation
in the north and northeast of the site, and the land immediately
to the rear, exposed the foundations of early 19th century houses,
workshops, warehouses, yard areas and alleyways associated with
Holland Gin Distillery which occupied the site during the 19th and
early 20th centuries. (Photo 6: 19th century buildings; Photo 7:
19th century fireplace; Photo 8: 19th century alleyway leading from
distillery towards Deptford Bridge) The presence of a mill and barrel
lined “mulching tanks” suggest that grain used in the
distilling process was processed on site, (Photo 9: 19th century
mill) whilst the presence of numerous earthenware distilling jar
wasters and associated kiln waste suggest a pottery in existence
in the very near vicinity.
 |
 |
Photo 6: 19th century buildings |
Photo 7: 19th century fireplace |
 |
 |
Photo 8: 19th century alleyway |
Photo 9: 19th century mill |
|
