SECTION 2.2.5: CLAYDON PIKE TRENCH 17PHASE 3B (EARLY/MID 2nd-?LATE 2nd/EARLY
3rd CENTURY AD) PHASE 3C/D (EARLY 3rd TO 4th CENTURY) PHASE 3/4 (4th CENTURY) DISCUSSION OF THE ARCHAEOLOGY FROM
TRENCH 17 Introduction (Fig. 2.2.21: Trench 17 composite plan)Trench 17 lay to the west of Trench 13 and to the north of Trenches 29
and 19, with north-south and east-west trackways dividing the different
areas. Activity in this area was characterised by a sequence of intercutting,
sub-rectangular enclosures and associated features such as 'circular stacks',
pits, gullies and a small rectangular building with masonry foundations.
These were bounded by an arrangement of linear ditches running north-south
and east-west, forming large rectilinear enclosures. Phasing (Fig. 2.2.21-ph3b, -ph3c, -3d, 4:Trench 17 sub-phases)It was difficult to accurately phase the features in Trench 17 due to lack of stratified relationships. Most features were, therefore, assigned to two broad periods, equating to Phase 3 and 4 of Trench 13, although Phase 3 has been further sub-divided into 3b and 3c/d on the basis of stratigraphic relationships, and to a lesser extent ceramic dating. But even within these subphases, features are presented in composite, showing a sequence of stratigraphy rather than a closely defined single phase of activity. Figure 2.2.21a shows only the major features assigned to subphases. Most of the internal features could only be broadly assigned to Phase 3. Phase 3b (early/mid 2nd - ?late 2nd/early 3rd century AD)Fig. 2.2.21 b:Trench 17 sub-phase 3bThe earliest phase of activity in Trench 17 appears to have begun around the middle of the 2nd century AD on ceramic evidence, making it contemporary with the Phase 3b activity in Trench 13. During this phase the occupied area increased substantially. Major linear boundariesAlthough it is uncertain whether they formed the earliest components of the site, a series of linear boundary ditches (1247, 667/1340, 669, 1401/9) enclosed much of the area to the north and west, and virtually all activity was confined to certain zones within this space. Ditches 748 and 707/2548 appear to have been later additions along the southern and eastern side, and have been tentatively assigned to Phase 3c/d (see below). If this were the case, much of the central area of the site would have been left open during the 2nd and early 3rd century AD. Ditch 1247Ditch 1247 lay in the south-eastern part of the site, on the same alignment as 748 to the east (section 36). Ditch 1247 appears to have been wider (c 1.5 m) than 748, although its exact dimensions and length remain uncertain due to truncation by the later ditch, 1255. Towards the eastern end, it cut pit 1254. The only finds recovered from ditch 1247 were 28 animal bones and 175 g of pottery. Ditch 1340Along the western boundary of the occupied area lay a substantial ditch, 667, traced northwards from 1255/1247 for over 50 m. It cut an earlier ditch on the same alignment, 1340, which measured c 1 m across and 0.3 m deep (section 32). Ditch 1340 was probably the earliest boundary ditch, possibly contemporary with 1247 and 669, although produced little dating evidence, only 180g of undiagnostic pottery and four animal bones. Ditch 667 cut the east-west ditches 669 and 670, but was contemporary with large east-west aligned ditches 1201 and probably 1255, so may belong to the later Roman period (see Phase 4 below). Ditch 669Ditch 669 ran east-west, defining the northern boundary of the site. It may originally have linked with ditch 1340, but was cut by 667 at this point, obscuring earlier relationships. The ditch was traced for 27 m before turning slightly southwards where it was cut by ditch 1201, presumably its successor. Only 103 g of pottery was recovered from the fill along with a mid 4th century coin from an upper fill of . Ditches 1401/1409, 1403/4Four successive north-south aligned ditches (1401-1404) lay to the north
of ditch 707/2548, continuing the line of the north-south trackway until
cut by ditch 1201. They were shallow, with a maximum depth of 0.4 m (section
124). Ditch 1401 appears to have turned westwards when it reached the
terminal of 707, to continue for c 22 m as 1409, forming the northern
internal boundary of the enclosed area. Ditch 1409 contained large volumes
(over 6 kg) of domestic pottery, in addition to a significant quantity
of smithing slag, suggesting the presence of light industrial activity
in the vicinity. Other finds from this ditch include a stone cosmetic
palette, spindle whorl, fired clay and 145 animal bones. Subsequent recuts
of 1401 (1402) and 1409 (1408) probably represent a later phase of the
same boundary line (see below). It is likely that these ditches stayed
open until the end of Phase 3. Internal featuresThe northern and western parts of the enclosed area in Trench 17 were
characterised by a series of inter-cutting ditches, gullies and pits,
along with at least one building (see below). The precise spatial organisation
and development of this area was difficult to reconstruct but some features
were be identified and are described below. The dating evidence from these
features suggests that that they belonged to Phase 3. Ditch 670Ditch 670 ran east-west from 668 (relationship uncertain), was cut by 667, and continued into the north-western interior for c 9 m, before it is obscured by gully 1303 (section 26). It is unusual in that it was one of the very few features that continued beyond the main exterior enclosure ditches, and it may therefore belong to the earliest phase of activity within this trench. There is however nothing within the small pottery assemblage (0.62 kg) to suggest a particularly early date (it include two fragments of mid-late 2nd century samian and eight sherds of Dr 20 amphorae). Other finds include quantities of fired clay, smelting slag, iron rings and links and 74 animal bones. Gullies 1303, 1297 and ditch 1296Gully 1303 started in the north-west just above ditch 670 and seemed to curve south-eastwards cutting the latter feature (section 26), and ending around the terminal of north-south ditch 1296. The gully was 0.6 m across and 0.3 m in depth. Ditch 1296 was c 1 m wide and 0.6 m deep, and cut an earlier north-south gully 1297 (section 68). It is possible that ditch 1296 joined up with either 1303 or 670 to form an enclosure in the north-western corner of the site, or alternatively it could have defined the western limit of a sub-rectangular enclosure with ditches 1408/9 and 669/1201. Very few finds were recovered from any of these features. Ditch 1294Running SW-NE for c 15 m across the centre of Trench 17 was a substantial ditch, 1294 (up to 1.2 m width, 0.6 m depth). It cut part of the south-west enclosure group (1288, 1286) and was in turn cut by the earliest timber phase of B 6, and overlain in this area by a linear stretch of large limestone blocks (1375) on the same alignment (section 81; Fig. 2.2.23). The ditch produced a reasonable quantity of pottery (c 9 kg), including over 100 sherds (c 1 kg) of coarse shell-tempered calcareous wares from a single section, probably belonging to the later 1st century AD. Fragments of coal, smithing slag, fired clay, 85 animal bones and a few domestic finds (Spindlewhorl, whetstone, bracelet) were also recovered. It is difficult to spatially relate this feature with others within the trench. Ditches 1420, 1414, 1367In the north-eastern part of the site, mostly enclosed within the major
boundaries (1201/669, 1408/9, 1401/2) were three linear ditches (1420,
1414, 1367), all on different alignments. The earliest stratigraphically
was 1420 (c 1 m across 0.38 m depth; section 73), which ran south-eastwards
for c 18 m before being cut by 1401-3, and probably reappearing as 1400,
which ran for 5 m into the area of the main north-south trackway. Only
a small quantity of fired clay, along with iron nails, a whetstone, and
1.4 kg of pottery were recovered from 1420, and it is likely that it belongs
to one of the earliest phase on this site. It was cut by a shallow ditch/gully
(1414) which curved from west to north before it was cut by ditch 1367,
and was up to 0.8 m wide and 0.3 m deep (section 74). Just over 1 kg of
pottery was recovered, along with a small amount of animal bone. Ditch 1269Running north-south for 7-8 m in the centre of Trench 17 was ditch 1269, c 1.3 m wide and 0.5 m in depth. It comprised a series of cuts and was later than most of the other features in the area, with the exception of gully 1272 (section 34). The ditch contained over 10 kg of pottery, along with a reasonable quantity of other finds including over 20 iron nails, 2 iron chisels, a bone bobbin, a copper alloy pin, vessel glass, fired clay, smithing/smelting slag and a quantity of coal. Over 200 animal bones were also recovered. This suggests domestic and light industrial activities within this area, further confirmed by the pits and possible hearth/oven (1356: see below). Circular gullies (1208, 1308, 1302, 1298, 1446)A number of circular gullies of varying dimensions were sited across the trench. The largest (1208) lying between the south-west enclosure group and the internal north-south boundary (1206) was just 5.6 m in diameter, and would therefore seem too small to be a roundhouse gully. A slightly bigger circular gully at Thornhill Farm (c 6-7 m dia) was interpreted as a storage building or temporary night shelter (Jennings et al, forthcoming). Aside from a small amount of pottery (0.2 kg), the only find recovered from 1208 was a single piece of fired clay. Approximately 11 m to the west lying within the south-west enclosure group lay another much smaller circular gully, 1308 (c 3 m dia), cut by two pits (1306-7), while further to the north lay circular gullies 1302 (3.6 m dia), 1298 (3 m dia) and 1446 (3.2 m in diameter).These features produced no finds other than a small amount of pottery and their dimensions suggest they could be 'stack rings', used to store fodder. Gully arcs (1322, 1323, 1345, 1370, 1317, 1315, 1341)Mostly confined to the interior of the western enclosure (1286 1335, 1320, 1314), were a series of gully arcs of varying shapes and sizes. Gully 1322 (c 3 m in diameter) was open to the west (1 m width) and had fired clay within its fill, suggesting that there may have been some kind of associated superstructure. Fired clay was also found in gully 1315 along with two pieces of slag, although the remaining gullies contained no finds at all, with the exception of 225 g of local pottery from gully 1345 and 75 g of pottery from gully 1323. PitsA total of 81 pits, or probable pits, were recorded from Trench 17, 25
of which formed a coherent group within the rectangular cleared area (see
Phase 3c/d below). The remainder were found throughout the area of gullies
and enclosures to the north and west, but there were apparent concentrations
to the north of circular gully 1208 and around the area of B 6. The majority
of pit fills outside of the 'cleared' area produced no finds other than
all quantities of pottery and animal bone, in contrast to most of the
ditch fills. The major exceptions were two large pits (1246, 1202) south
of circular gully 1208, which seem to have been used - at least secondarily
- for the disposal of domestic and light industrial refuse. The southernmost
(1246; section 37) contained over 6 kg of mostly local pottery (but also
included 2nd century samian ware) in addition to vessel glass, coal fragments
and animal bone. It was cut by the later Roman roadside ditch, 1255. Just
to the north was the larger pit 1202, which contained almost 2.5 kg of
pottery, including a small group of Oxford colour-coated ware, in addition
to vessel glass and smithing slag. Phase 3c/d (early 3rd to early 4th century)Fig 2.2.21 c:Trench 17 sub-phase 3c Fig 2.2.21d: Trench 17 sub-phase 3dA number of features in Trench 17 have been assigned to Phase 3c/d on the basis that they were late in the Phase 3 sequence but appeared to predate Phase 4. Some of these, however, could belong to any part of Phase 3. Linear boundariesDitches 748 and 707/2548 Ditches 1206 and 1253Defining part of the western boundary of the interior open space was a c 10 m long shallow gully, 1206, (c 0.8 m width, 0.25 m depth; section 89) running north from the junction of 748 and 1255. Its relationship with these ditches was obscured by pit 1276, but it may have been a continuation of 1255. Its northern terminal was cut by ditch 1253, which continued on a similar alignment to enclose the open area. This left a 3.6 m wide entrance from this space into the main areas of activity to the north and west. Ditch 1253 was much more substantial (c 1.2 m wide, 0.4 m deep) and contained a much greater volume of pottery (4.1 kg) than 1206 (0.4 kg), including over 30 sherds of Oxfordshire colour-coated ware, suggesting a later 3rd/early 4th century date for this feature. Other finds from ditch 1253 include over 150 animal bones, vessel glass, hobnails, and two jet and glass beads. Rectangular building B 6 (Figs 2.2.22: Trench 17 building 6 and 2.2.23: Plan of stone features in central trench 17 )Lying in the central northern part of the site, on a NW-SE alignment,
was a two-phase rectangular building, measuring c 6.5 x 4.5 m. The first
phase was represented by three lengths of a timber slot building (1379,
1458, 1305) open on the north-west side. This building was among the latest
features in this part of the site, with only pit 1398 (see above) and
the second phase of the rectangular building post-dating it. This second
phase is represented by narrow compact linear rubble spreads (1376-8;
Fig. 2.2.23) overlying the earlier slots, suggesting that the structure
was re-built with pitched stone foundations. The southern area of pitched
stone (1378) spread north of the slot into the interior, perhaps consolidating
the ground surface to avoid subsidence into the features below (1320,
1393). On the south-eastern side (1376) was an area of large limestone
slabs, possibly marking a threshold into the building, although there
is no indication of a wall of any kind on the corresponding north-west
side, suggesting that the entrance was located at this point. Finds associated
with the timber slot building included over 3.7 kg of pottery, including
small quantities of amphora (Dr 20 and CAM 186) Oxford colour-coated ware
and a fragment of New Forest ware beaker. The pottery is consistent with
a late 3rd/early 4th century date. Other finds included fired clay, slag,
an iron reaping hook, 71 animal bones and a shale bracelet. No finds were
directly associated with the second building phase, but pottery of 2nd
to early 4th century was found in upper spreads around the structure.
It is unlikely that the 2nd phase building was in use beyond the early
4th century. Other internal features'Walls' 1366, 1385 (Fig. 2.2.23: Plan of stone features in central trench 17 )An extensive spread of rubble was found in the area around B 6, and while most of it may have derived from this building, there were at least two sections of probable walling to the south (1366, 1385). 'Wall' 1366 overlay ditch 1335 (section 83), and ran north-south for over 3 m, starting from just south of building B 6. Patches of mortar were recovered from the northernmost end. A possible east-west wall (1385) lay further to the south, just to the east of a hearth/oven (1355/6; see below). Whilst these features may have been the remains of walls, it is also possible they represent the truncated remains of a localised rubble spread that had subsided into the ditch tops There was no dating evidence from these 'structures' but they were amongst the latest features stratigraphically, probably belonging to Phase 3c/d, contemporary with B 6. Oven/hearths (Fig. 2.2.23: Plan of stone features in central trench 17 )In the centre of Trench 17, north of 1269 and south of B 6, lay an oven,
1355, aligned east-west, with a possible hearth, 1356, at its west end.
A line of four postholes, 1346, 1352-4, lay along its southern side, possibly
representing a surrounding structure, although it is possible that they
are later features. The only finds from these features were a small quantity
of fired clay presumably from the superstructure of the oven. Well 1318Lying 2 m east of ditch 667 lay a large oval well (3.2 x 2.4 m across,
1.2 m depth; section 191) with a variety of 2nd - late 3rd/early 4th century
pottery (2.2 kg) and 136 animal bones in its fill. Other finds included
fired clay, a copper alloy brooch, iron slag and a stone gaming counter.
On the slope of the eastern side lay a quantity of stone rubble, which
may have either been tipped there as refuse, or possibly laid down to
be used as steps into the well base (similar to examples 2839 and 2906
in Trench 29, and 1342 further to the south in Trench 17). One of these
rubble pieces was a column base which must have been derived from another
part of the site, the same as the column parts found within one of inter-cutting
pits (see below). It seems likely that the well was excavated during Phase
3d, much the same as the inter-cutting pits. Phase 3/4 (4th century)Fig. 2.2.21 d: Trench 17 sub-phase 3d Fig. 2.2.21 d: Trench 17 sub-phase 4The general date range of the pottery from Trench 17 indicated that activity probably lessened significantly in the 4th century, but nevertheless continued in some form until the end of the Roman period. There are few features that can definitely be assigned to Phase 4, although it is possible that some of the internal features described above (e.g. B 6 and the pit grouping) may in fact continue into Phase 4a. Ditch 1255Ditch 1255 ran westwards from the junction of 1206 and 748 for over 35 m, before exiting the trench. It was the northern ditch of the main east-west trackway (c 3 m width, 0.5 m depth; section 36), which was traced on aerial photographs continuing westwards away from the site. Stratigraphically, ditch 1255 cut its probable predecessor (1247; see above), in addition to pit 1246. Considering its size, only a very small pottery assemblage was recovered (0.7 kg), and most of this was quite mixed. However, over 12% of the recorded sherds were Oxford Colour coated ware, suggesting a likely late 3rd - 4th century date. This date is further strengthened by fact that the much larger ceramic assemblage from pit 1246 beneath had less than 2 % later Oxford wares, in addition to a number of 2nd century samian sherds. Ditch 667Running SSW-NNE for 52 m at the western side of the main activity area in Trench 17 was a substantial ditch 667 (c 2.2 m width, 0.6 m depth; section 32), which probably cut an earlier, similarly aligned, boundary (1340; see above). It appears to have cut all other related features with the exception of pits 1342 and 1344 in the south-west, and was probably contemporary with the other Phase 4 boundary ditches 1255 and 1201. A reasonable quantity of material was recovered from the ditch fills, including over 12 kg of pottery (most 2nd - 4th century AD), 848 animal bones and a small quantity of structural and domestic small finds (daub, nails, vessel and window glass, quernstones, etc.). The quantity and wider chronology of the finds from this ditch suggests that it may been cut earlier and have had a longer period of use than ditch 1255. Ditch 1201Ditch 1201 ran ENE-WSW for c 45 m at right angles to ditch 667 along the top of Trench 17, before turning northwards to follow the line of the main trackway. The ditch was c 1.5 m wide and 0.4 m deep, and there seems to have been an earlier cut (1309) visible in some sections to the east (section 72). It was contemporary with 667 and is stratigraphically the latest feature in the area, cutting the earlier northern boundary 669. More material was recovered from this feature than 667, including over 21 kg of pottery (2nd - 4th century AD), together with a similar range of primarily structural and domestic small finds (whetstones, boot plate, bracelet, daub, ligula etc). A single later 3rd - 4th century coin was also recovered. Quite remarkably, considering the quantity of other material, no animal bones seem to have been recovered. Ditches 668 and 1312About 4 m to the west of, and parallel to, 667 was ditch 668, and while its position suggests contemporaneity with this feature, no relationships were recorded. It was cut by ditch 1312 which ran parallel for its entire length and must represent its successor. It was difficult to distinguish between the two cuts, and the overall dimensions were 2.6 m wide and 0.45 m deep (section 28). Far fewer finds were recovered, although the small (c 1.7 kg) recorded pottery assemblage did include a substantial percentage (18 %) of Dressel 20 amphora. Other finds included a copper alloy bracelet and pin, two coins (1st-2nd century and 4th century) and 550 animal bones. These ditches may have defined a north-south trackway lying in-between the large open enclosure (paddock?) to the west and the domestic, agricultural and light industrial zone within Trench 17 Pits/wells 1342 and 1344In the south-eastern part of Trench 17 were two large oval features (1342, 1344) considered to be sumps or wells. Feature 1342 was c 2.5 m across and 1.1 m deep, and cut Phase 3/4 ditch 667 and internal boundary 1256. As with well 1318 and many of the waterholes in Trench 29, there were a series of steps leading into the feature from the east (section 32). Just 0.4 kg of pottery and 28 animal bones were recovered from the silt and sandy gravel fill. Just to the north, 1344 as 2 m across and 1.2 m deep, and also cut ditch 667. A total of 0.6 kg of pottery and 105 animal bones came from this feature, which may have functioned as a sump helping to drain water from the ditch. Unphased featuresTwo 5 m long beam slots (1245 and 1285), aligned east-west, were positioned north-west of the pit group. They were 3.4 m apart, approximately parallel, and may have formed a structure of undetermined function. Only 85 g of pottery and 1 piece of slag were recovered from these features and precise dating was not possible. Discussion of the archaeology from Trench 17Activity commenced in Trench 17 probably slightly after the radical reorganisation
that took place within Trench 13 to the east, in about the mid 2nd century
AD (Phase 3b). A series of major north-south and east-west linear boundaries
were laid out, defining zones of domestic, agricultural and light industrial
activity in the western and northern parts of the trench. The south-west
corner of this area was given over to a series of enclosures, while another
larger enclosure to the north contained a series of 'stack-rings' and
a well, possibly for the provision of certain animals. The primary domestic
foci appear to have been to the east of the SW enclosure group and north-east
of the central enclosure, although no definite structures of Phase 3b
date have been located, and many of these features could belong to Phase
3c/d. 73 % of all smithing slag from Phase 3 contexts at Claydon Pike
came from Trench 17, with particular concentrations in ditches 1409 and
1335, implying light industrial activity in these areas. |