English Heritage Archaeology Reports

NU 925306. Excavations 1952-62 demonstrated a long history of specialized use on this site, beginning with cremations, a barrow and a small stone circle c 2000 BC. A field system was then laid out, with some cremations inserted into its gullies during the Roman Iron Age. A 'Great Enclosure' (?cattle corral) was made in post-Roman times if not earlier, with small buildings outside it. The stone circle was replaced by a wooden structure for inhumations. There followed a succession of townships, each with large halls and special-purpose buildings (eg temple, arena), calamitous fires on two occasions necessitating large-scale rebuilding. The township was already in decline at the time of the second fire and, although rebuilt once more, was eventually abandoned. The site's cleanliness throughout its history resulted in a shortage of dating evidence, but on general historical grounds the two fires are assignable to c 632 and c 651 and the zenith of occupation to Edwin. As a whole the site appears to reveal an early acceptance of Anglo-Saxon overlordship in a British cultural milieu. Hall reconstructions are discussed in detail and specialist reports presented for pottery, a little metalwork, human and animal bones, and charcoal.

Historical and architectural development, and account of the excavations of chapter house and reredorter, with establishment of a developmental sequence from the hillside of the Battle of Hastings through the Norman monastery, the great 13th century rebuilding, the late medieval activity and the post-Dissolution cycle of decay and re-use. Finds include important pottery and tile sequences, a large collection of objects from a Dissolution period rubbish dump, and an important group of architectural fragments. Au (abr)

Seven major periods were identified: RB round houses, a mid-Saxon settlement, a fortified earthwork enclosure of mid-9th century, enlarged c 1000 to enclose a sequence of substantial stave-built halls and their associated bowers, kitchens, and weaving sheds. A small motte-and-bailey castle was erected in 1080, and altered in mid-12th by infilling the bailey to form a castle mound with large aisled hall. Manorial history included. Many reconstructions of timber buildings are offered.

A BA barrow excavated by L and F de M Vatcher in 1966 had been reused in 7th century AD for a richly furnished Anglo-Saxon inhumation of a female aged 18-25 years. She lay on an ash-wood bed with elaborate iron fittings, and was surrounded by high quality grave goods including an iron-bound bucket, a maplewood casket containing a sprinkler, spoon, and personal items, an ornate satchel with gold foil mounts of possible Christian significance, and a bronze-mounted bucket. The burial's significance is considered in its local and national context. Documentary and topographical evidence suggest the possible identification of the barrow with Posses Hlaewe, recorded in a charter of AD 940.

Excavations 1965-8 immediately outside the walls of Verulamium revealed an RB settlement lasting from AD 70 to about 260/70, together with minor BA and AS episodes and an extensive Iron Age cemetery with 472 burials, mostly cremated. Seven enclosures, each with a rich central burial surrounded by lesser ones, were identified, and there were also 'family groups'; in all the cemetery probably represents a full cross-section of the population, from about AD 1 to AD 60, when the Silchester road was driven through the centre of the sacred area. A few 3rd and 4th century graves were found, and an AS cemetery of 39 graves lasted from mid-7th century into 8th. Extensive finds catalogues.

Study of old and new evidence as part of a programme of maintenance and consolidation led to the suggestion that the bridges at Chesters and Willowford were both originally built to take the Wall walk across the rivers North Tyne and Irthing (respectively) on stone arches. Flood damage necessitated repairs at both bridges, and in early 3rd century they were replaced by road bridges. Possible reconstructions of both are illustrated. These two bridges, the one at Corbridge, and perhaps those at Stanwix and Piercebridge, seem to belong to a Severan reorganization of the road system in the north.

A substantial Roman villa complex was excavated as part of a programme to test interrelationships between villa sites in the Verulamium area and to examine trends in their growth, decline, and prosperity. A Neo building and BA pottery preceded a late Iron Age complex with aisled building, nine-post granary, and round house. Romanization began with an early 1st century embryonic villa (destroyed by Boudica?), followed by a small luxurious stone villa which underwent various alterations including a cellar (filled with fragments of mosaic, moulded wall plaster, and stucco). Associated buildings included a tower granary and bath house. Successive phases involved rebuilding, abandonment, repair, and decline, with occupation ceasing in mid-4th century. A medieval croft later occupied the site. Villas of the Verulamium area are discussed and a hypothetical area for the Gorhambury villa estate proposed in relation to the med Westwick manor.