| Title: |
An Archaeological Excavation at Land off Leicester Lane, Great Bowden |
| Series: |
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS) unpublished report series
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| Downloads: |
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universi1-345461_1.pdf (14 MB)
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Download
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| Licence Type: |
ADS Terms of Use and Access
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
The excavation revealed a pit alignment of probable Iron Age date, running across the stripped are from north-south. The sterile nature of the pit alignment indicates this was most probably a boundary feature originating from settlements to the south, constructed to demarcate land on high ground above the river Welland to the south and east, with Langton Brook to the north. Early Roman (mid-1st-2nd century AD) activity consisted of two boundary ditches, three livestock enclosures and associated post built structures, gullies and pit features. A droveway was also seen allowing movement of livestock between the enclosures. Evidence of crop processing was also seen in this period, highlighted through the charred plant remains, the recovery of many quern fragments and the presence of a least two four-post structures often associated with grain storage. The evidence of both crop-processing features and livestock control management systems indicates a mixed arable and pastoral farming economy. The relative absence of primary deposition in the form occupational artefacts or structural evidence suggests that associated domestic structures are situated beyond the site boundaries. The material culture recovered from excavated features does suggest that activity was largely on a local scale, with pottery and materials being locally sourced, providing a self-sufficient economy. The pottery evidence indicates at a fairly tight date for vessels and combined with a lack of stratigraphical re-working of earthfast features on site indicates the Roman activity was perhaps confined to a single generation or phase of activity. Evidence from the archaeological record suggests the site was most likely associated with comparably dated activity to the south, on a prominent ridgeway in the landscape. The absence of any dateable material beyond the 2nd century AD suggests that beyond this period the site was abandoned and activity shifted, possibly back onto higher ground. |
| Author: |
A Clapton
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| Publisher: |
University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS)
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| Other Person/Org: |
Historic England (OASIS Reviewer)
Leicestershire HER (OASIS Reviewer)
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| Year of Publication: |
2019
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| Locations: |
| Site: |
Land off Leicester Lane |
| County: |
Leicestershire |
| District: |
Harborough |
| Parish: |
GREAT BOWDEN |
| Country: |
England |
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Grid Reference: 473640, 289120 (Easting, Northing)
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| Subjects / Periods: |
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| Identifiers: |
| OASIS Id: |
universi1-345461 |
| OBIB: |
ULAS Report No. 2019-030 |
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| Note: |
Developer report, A4 pdf
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| Source: |
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| Relations: |
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| Created Date: |
22 Oct 2020 |
