Excavations at 45-46 North Street, Exeter 1974 (Exeter archive site 51)
Cotswold Archaeology, Exeter City Council, 2015. https://doi.org/10.5284/1035188. How to cite using this DOI
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This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 1999
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1035188
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
In late 1973 and early 1974, the Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit undertook a rescue excavation within cellars of the existing buildings of Numbers 45-46 North Street at the junction of North Street and Waterbeer Street. the excavation was in advance of building operations as part of the new Woolworth's store.
The site was situated close to the centre of modern Exeter at SX 9188/9260 and was within the area of the former Roman legionary fortress.
The excavation was conducted within three existing cellars of numbers 45-46 North Street and by sections created by the demolition of the cellar walls by the contractors.
Remains of the post-medieval, medieval and the Roman civil periods were recorded overlying features which were suspected to be of the Roman military period which, at Exeter, is dated from c AD55/60 - c 75/80. Damage to the deposits of all periods caused by previous cellars and the new building works was severe. Roman military levels were first encountered at about 37.7 metres above Ordnance Datum.
Some remains of Roman occupation were recorded on two areas of the site. It is unclear whether the earliest of the Roman remains represent purely military occupation or civilian occupation under the auspices of military control.
