Excavation at Southernhay Gardens, Exeter 1974 (Exeter archive site 49)
Cotswold Archaeology, Exeter City Council, 2015. https://doi.org/10.5284/1035186. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Exeter City Council unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Andrew
Pye
Principal Project Manager (Heritage)
Exeter City Council
Civic Centre
Paris Street
Exeter
EX1 1NN
England
Tel: 01392 265 224
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 1997
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1035186
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
From August to September 1974 the Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit undertook an excavation on a plot of land on the south-east side of the city between Southernhay East and Western Way to the south-west of Barnfield Road. The site was to be developed and would include an underground car park, the foundations of which would clearly destroy all archaeological levels within its footprint.
The site was situated about 140 metres south-east of the City Wall at SX 9243/9248 and was outside the Roman legionary fortress about 230m south-east of the corner of the defences. The site of the archaeological excavation encompassed the south-west area of the proposed building and included a long test-trench dug to the south-west behind the existing properties.
Remains of the post-medieval, medieval and Roman civil period were recorded overlying features which were suspected to be of the Roman military period. This period, at Exeter, is dated from c AD 55/60 - c .75/80. Suspected Roman military levels were first encountered at about 34.75 metres above Ordnance Datum.
Some remains of Roman occupation were recorded on two areas of the site; it is unclear whether the earliest Roman remains represent purely military occupation or civilian occupation under the auspices of military control.
