Roman Birmingham 2. Metchley Roman forts excavations 1998--2000 and 2002:

Archaeological excavations at Metchley Roman forts, Birmingham, were undertaken in advance of development during 1998--99. Areas investigated included the southeastern angle of the earliest defences, and the adjoining eastern and southern annexes, which may have been used for storage, or security. The fieldwork also provided the first evidence for continued military or civilian activity up to the end of the second century. The report also summarizes the results of trial-trenching in the north of the fort interior and defences during 1999--2000. The excavated southeastern corner of the early fort defences was defined by double ditches, a rampart, and a possible corner tower. Later annexes were laid out on the eastern and southern sides of the fort. The eastern defences of the eastern annexe were formed by a ditch and rampart, interrupted by an entrance causeway. A possible entrance causeway was also recorded along the eastern side of the southern annexe. A group of ovens were associated with the middle phases of the eastern annexe. In later phases, lengths of the early fort defences were re-cut to provide additional outer defences. In addition to the repeated re-cuts of the eastern annexe defences, part of the western side of a double-ditched fort was also cut during the final phase to the south of the early fort; other activity involved the cutting of ditches of Punic profile, possibly associated with one or more practice camps. A pollen profile highlighted vegetational changes from the Roman abandonment of the complex to the post-medieval period, including evidence for the resumption of cultivation nearby in the Saxon and medieval periods. The most significant discovery during trial-trenching in the north of the fort were the western defences of a possible fort or defended compound, attributed to the latest suite of activity at the complex, as well as traces of earlier timber-framed buildings, including a granary and ovens. Includes specialist reports on