Luke, M., Preece, T. and Wells, J. (2010). A Romano-British aisled building and associated settlement south of Ampthill Road, Shefford. Bedfordshire Archaeology Volume 26 2010. Vol 26, Bedfordshire Archaeological Council. pp. 269-346.
| Title: | A Romano-British aisled building and associated settlement south of Ampthill Road, Shefford | ||
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| Issue: | Bedfordshire Archaeology Volume 26 2010 | ||
| Series: | Bedfordshire Archaeology | ||
| Volume: | 26 | ||
| Page Start/End: | 269 - 346 | ||
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| Licence Type: |
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International Licence |
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| Publication Type: | Journal | ||
| Abstract: | Between 1993 and 2006, Albion Archaeology undertook an intermittent series of investigations at Ampthill Road, Shefford. They were located in an area where Romano-British artefacts and structural remains had been found for the past 200 years. A small late Bronze Age/early to middle Iron Age pottery assemblage, all residual within later features, suggests late prehistoric occupation. However, the majority of the evidence derives from a Romano-British settlement. The settlement was established prior to the Roman conquest and comprised a large ditched enclosure which continued to function throughout the 2nd century until the late 3rd century. The original enclosure contained a possible roundhouse and other settlement-type features. A substantial aisled building was constructed in the 2nd century along with two rectangular, timber buildings. The aisled building was subject to repairs before it was effectively rebuilt in the same location. Evidence from antiquarian investigations suggests that its south end contained a substantial suite of rooms which featured hypocausts. The buildings may have been linked by cobbled yards and paths. A routeway to the west of the enclosure may have provided access through the settlement to the floodplain of the River Flit to the north. To the west of the routeway was a large area of intercutting quarry pits and, identified by antiquarian investigations, a cemetery which may have been replaced by a walled enclosure. The presence of 3rd- and 4th-century pottery indicates continuing settlement, which comprised a new enclosure that was established in roughly the same location. A small number of artefacts from the antiquarian investigations suggest Saxon activity but the recent work produced no such evidence. | ||
| Year of Publication: | 2010 | ||
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| Source: |
ADS Archive
(ADS Archive)
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| Created Date: | 28 Apr 2023 |
