| Abstract: |
An archaeological excavation was undertaken at Swindon Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (NGR
SO 93014 24834). It was commissioned by Orion Heritage on behalf of Persimmon Homes, in
advance of a proposed residential development. Planning permission has been granted subject to a
programme of archaeological works.
The site is located 3km north-west of Cheltenham near the River Swilgate, and a single excavation
area was opened to investigate archaeological features identified by previous geophysical survey and
evaluation trenching. Excavation revealed a 1st to 3rd century AD Roman rural site, consisting of a relatively stable
farmstead with limited phases of activity. The nature of the features indicates pastoral farming
activities, with large stock enclosures and boundary ditches, along with possible domestic features.
While the overall footprint of the site remained broadly consistent throughout its use, the large stock
enclosures were frequently re-excavated, at times to subtly change their layout and scope, but likely
also to clear out and re-establish the features, due to their silting. While there is no evidence of
domestic structures from the first phase, it is considered likely that such features were present within
the site, likely beyond the excavation area to the north-east. During the second phase two large ovoid
ring-ditches were added next to the stock enclosures which may have enclosed roundhouses or other
domestic structures. No internal features were present within either, but it is likely that shallower
features have since been truncated.
The finds assemblage was consistent with that expected for a rural site, and pottery indicated the
presence of domestic activity. The animal bone assemblage was identified as common domestic
animals consistent with a small rural farmstead, and sheep breeding was indicated, which may have
been a focus of activity at the site. It is possible that this may have related to the changing
arrangement of stock enclosures, with the division of the enclosures being introduced to separate
breeding and non-breeding livestock, perhaps connected with sheep breeding.
On abandonment, the site was absorbed back into the landscape and, eventually, was supplanted by
fields and was most recently being farmed under a pastoral regime. |
