| Abstract: |
The archaeological excavation covered an area of 0.31ha, with a contingency area of 0.22ha, if required. Fieldwork commenced with the removal of topsoil and subsoil from the excavation area, under archaeological supervision, by a mechanical excavator with a toothless grading bucket. The archaeological features thus exposed were hand-excavated to the bottom of archaeological stratigraphy. Deposits were assessed for their environmental potential, and five features considered to have potential for characterising the earlier phases of activity were sampled.
Archaeological monitoring was undertaken within Areas WB1 – WB6. The monitoring comprised the observation, by competent archaeologists, of ground-level reductions, and the excavation of foundations and service trenches within six separate areas which were considered likely to be associated with archaeological deposits. These areas were located along the projected alignments of the boundary ditches recorded by excavation, and within the presumed centre of the Roman-period enclosed settlement. Construction works initially comprised the mechanical removal of non-archaeologically significant soils, under archaeological supervision. The generated spoil was monitored, where it was safe to do so, in order to recover artefacts. The hand-cleaning of stripped surfaces, to better define any identified archaeological deposits/features, was undertaken where necessary. Residual worked flint and late prehistoric pottery within Roman features indicated long-term prehistoric activity on the site.
The excavation confirmed the presence of archaeological remains within the western part of the site, which had been identified during the course of the previous evaluation. The remains included a number of Roman ditches, comprising what appeared to be two concentric circuits of curvilinear ditches which followed the line of natural contours. These may represent different, but chronologically close phases of development. Finds and the character of ditch fills appeared to indicate domestic settlement, although internal structural evidence was recorded. Most dateable material was recovered from the fills of if the inner ditch (Ditch 1), and was of the later first to mid-second centuries AD. Little evidence of internal features was recorded, although it is possible that Ditch 3 and Ditches 8-10 relate to structures or internal divisions.
There is tentative evidence for later Roman activity on the site, with a mixed deposit of pottery within an upper fill of Ditch 1 ranging in date from the first to the fourth centuries AD. Antiquarian data suggest a wider pattern of Roman-period activity around the Site, and this is supported by finds of Roman brick and tile, which seem likely to have originated from a substantial building in the vicinity. The artefactual material recovered by evaluation, and excavation identified the settlement as one of relatively low status, with very limited evidence of fine and imported wares.
Roman features displayed evidence of disturbance, with intrusive medieval and post-medieval material present. Ditch 7 and Pit 6 were the only confirmed features of later date, together with a flint lined well recorded by the watching brief. |
