Roman Birmingham I.

Four main phases of Roman activity were identified at Metchley. The earliest fort was constructed in the late AD 40s, was roughly 200m square, defended by double ditches, a rampart and other obstacles. The excavated parts of the interior contained a pair of facing barrack-blocks, part of a granary, a workshop and store. Later, ditched annexes were added to the northern, eastern and possibly also the southern sides of the fort. The deliberate clearance of the earliest fort's interior was immediately followed by the construction of temporary, irregularly-shaped, timber-framed buildings, including a store-building, a stable or grooms' quarters, and associated fenced compounds. The fort may have functioned as a stores-depot at this time. Following the abandonment of the site a smaller fort enclosing 2.6 ha was built within the earlier fort. It was defended by a ditch and turf rampart, later reconstructed in timber. The only contemporary buildings excavated were a small granary and a cook-house. The fort was abandoned by around AD 75, although some later Roman activity, ending by AD 120, is also represented. Includes separately authored reports on:

which features a catalogue of finds

which incudes two spearheads, five knives, 121 nails and two tools

which demonstrates the presence of wheat and barley at the site, together with hazel nutshells