Untitled - Council for British Archaeology

THE ROMAN FEATURESIn its earliest phase, the site consisted of an enclosure. The size ofthis enclosure is unknown, the remaining part of the ditch consisted of a25m. run, aligned NW to SE, with a right angled corner at the SE end turningto the SW and continuing for a least 8m., where it was confirmed by a trialtrench. Beyond this point it was not visible in the excavated surface nor wasit located by mechanically cut trial trenches. The enclosure appears to bealigned NE to SW, on which axis the yard surface of the later occupation phaseon the site also lay.The dating evidence for the enclosure ditch consists of C3rd and C4thpottery from its fill and the fact that it was covered by the later yard surfacewhich also contained C3rd-4th pottery. The early focus of site is withinthe enclosure around Structure 1, here late C2nd to early C3rd fpottery may wellbe associated with a timber structure underlying Structure 1, suggested by thegullies and post-holes at this point. At the W end of the site two otherditches which may belong to this early phase were observed.The later and most evident phase of occupation dates to the C3rd and C4thby which time the enclosure was overlaid by a roughly rectangular yard surfacewith three circular buildings on the NW side, and two large pits on the SE,each 2m. deep, possibly originating as clay pits for cob for the buildings,and later serving as watering places for stock. The yard surface had a buildupof black clayey soil with an average depth of 20 ems. There were clearlyseveral phases of make up defined by patches and layers of hard core. At theNE end an entrance to the yard is defined by an area of pitched stones set inthe top fill of the earlier enclosure ditch.THE sT070EsStructure 1Here probably two phases of circular buildings, one superimposed on theother were observed, but the presence of gullies and post-holes, the sequenceof which has not been finally considered, may alter this interpretation. Thefirst phase'consisted of a hearth and traces of a circular gully to the SW andthe N. The second phase was the best preserved and consisted of a circulargully approximately 8m. in diameter with a central hearth. The W side of thegully was destroyed by medieval ploughing, the remaining parts were on average20-30 pms. wide and contained footings(?) consisting of a single line of largestones and pebbles. A right angle turn on the S side may be the site of theentrance. Pottery from this structure was of C3rd date with C4th sherds comingfrom a post-hole within the building.Structure 2Here traces of a circular gully, 10-11m, in diameter defined the site ofanother building. On the N side two gullies were present suggesting twophases of building. It was noted that the yard make-up partially covered thisstructure suggesting that it went out of use at an early stage.Structure 3Two fragments of circular gully were thought to be part of anotherbuilding.