| Abstract: |
Archaeological mitigation works comprising a strip, map and sample excavation on a parcel of land measuring approximately covering 600m² located on Main Street, Great Casterton, Rutland, PE9 4AU. The mitigation area focused on the west of the proposed development area, where archaeological evaluation had revealed Romano-British ditches. The evaluation demonstrated that the eastern side of the site had suffered disturbance and consequently there was a low likelihood for archaeological remains to survive there. The mitigation area had to be adjusted slightly due to the presence of a greenhouse and large shed in its north-east corner, preventing excavation taking place in that location. Further obstructions prevented excavation within its south-east corner. A final assessment report was commissioned and was produced following recommendations in the initial post excavation document that further analysis of the finds and environmental assemblages should be undertaken. All works were undertaken in accordance with the detailed methods set out within the WSI and in general compliance with the standards outlined in CIfA guidance. The post-excavation assessment and reporting followed advice issued by the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers. The majority of the archaeological remains were Romano-British in date and comprised ditches and pits. The period was divided into two phases of activity, through pottery dating, scientific dating, and stratigraphic relationships. The first phase of activity comprised two parallel ditches, probably boundary ditches, with a small drainage offshoot from the northern ditch. A large pit, which was cut by a drainage gully, was also included in this phase along with a smaller pit, possibly associated with crop drying activities. Two small areas of burning were also dated to this phase. Finds from these features date the phase to the early Roman period, from AD 41 to the 2nd century AD, with two samples, one from the small pit and one from a burnt area, radiocarbon dated to the 2nd century AD (UBA-49740, 1946 ± 26 BP and UBA-49741, 1977 ± 21 BP). The second phase of activity comprised a further ditch, on a different alignment, and a rubbish pit, both cutting into or across the earlier features. Finds from these features provide a late Romano-British date, up to the 4th century AD, while a sample from the rubbish pit was radiocarbon dated to the mid-3rd–4th century (UBA-49742, 1700 ± 22 BP). Other remains include two ditches dating to the post-medieval/modern period. The finds assemblage is modest but provides good dating for most features. The pottery and animal bone assemblages provide evidence of domestic activity, whilst the environmental remains provide evidence of local industry, particularly crop processing and production of malt to brew ale. Interesting artefacts recovered from the Roman features include two coins, a copper toilet implement and a glass bead. The finds and archaeological remains provide a picture of a site on the periphery of settlement and industrial activity, with little occurring on the site itself. There was little evidence to contribute meaningfully to the research objectives, largely due to the small size of the Site. |
