Digital Photographs and Images from an Archaeological Excavation at the Biomass Shed site, Laurels Road, Offenham, Worcestershire, 2018
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5284/1102112. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 4970
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1102112
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
An archaeological excavation was undertaken at the Biomass Shed site, Laurels Road, Offenham, Worcestershire in 2018.
The site was in an area of high potential for archaeological remains and in close proximity to a 19th-century discovery of Romano-British burials. Multiple phases of activity were identified.
Early prehistoric remains were limited to a few small suboval features, likely to be tree-throw holes or natural hollows, whereas later prehistoric activity (from the middle Iron Age onwards) was clearly visible. Although this was not fully defined, the corner of a sub-rectangular enclosure, dating to the middle Iron Age, appeared to extend to the north-west beyond the limit of excavation. Possible storage pits internal to the enclosure suggest a domestic component to its use. This was also supported by the presence of decorated pottery in jar form. There was a small amount of briquetage in mid to late Iron Age deposits, indicating the use of salt, and a late Iron Age or early Roman oven/dryer in the western part of the site.
Archaeology dating to the Romano-British period, particularly the late 2nd to late 4th century, was the most prominent phase of activity. This mainly appeared to relate to a shifting pattern of agricultural land management, although the site location, high-status finds including window glass and box-flue tile, the presence of neonatal remains, an animal bone assemblage consistent with a Roman cultural influence, and a well-built rectangular stone structure thought to be a water tank, all suggested that the site was in close proximity to substantial high-status Roman structures, perhaps even a villa complex. The presence of a possible 'curse tablet', a rolled and flattened sheet of lead, found close to the water tank, may raise the possibility that there was also some votive focus.
There was no evidence of continuity into the Saxon period, with the site having been apparently abandoned in the late 4th or early 5th century.
