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Summary

Pre-legionary fort, High Street Lincoln

Full description

PRN 70349
It has for many years been conjectured that there was a pre-legionary fort in Lincoln. J.B. Whitwell in his 1992 book, Roman Lincolnshire says 'There is no definite evidence for this hypothetical fort at Lincoln before the establishment of the legionary fortress, but it may have lain on the south side of the River Witham. Here, on the edge of the river valley, Ermine Street drops down from the limestone escarpment, and meets the Fosse Way'. {1}{2}
Trial trenching on the former Anchor Street works revealed a V shaped ditch with a cleaning slot or 'ankle breaker' in its base. Ditches of this type are normally associated with military occupation. The ditch together with a parallel cut which may represent a beam slot or palisade trench could be interpreted as part of a defended enclosure or fort. Infilling of the ditches of the possible palisade appears to have begun on the mid-late second century and continued through to the fourth. The small pottery assemblage provides strong evidence of continuous occupation from the period of the establishment of the Colonia.{3}{4}

<1> J.B. Whitwell, 1992, Roman Lincolnshire, Page 12, 19 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI1093.

<2> Jones, Michael, J; Stocker, D.; and Vince, A., 2003, The City by the Pool including LARA, page 38 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI9142.

<3> City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit, 2003, The Former Anchor Street Works, Anchor Street, Lincoln, LCNCC:2002.468 (Report). SLI9143.

<4> City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit, 2003, The Former Anchor Street Works, Anchor Street, Lincoln, ANSA 03 (Archive). SLI9144.

Monument Types

• DITCH (Roman - 76 AD? to 409 AD?)
• FORT (Roman - 76 AD? to 100 AD?)
• PALISADE (Roman - 76 AD? to 409 AD?)

Associated Finds

• COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHERD (Roman - 76 AD? to 100 AD?)

Associated Events

• The Former Anchor Street Works, Anchor Street, Lincoln

Protected Status

• Conservation Area
• Conservation Area

Sources and further reading

Related records

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