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Designations

• Scheduled Monument () 1015164: Middleton Stoney castle

Monument Type(s):

• INHUMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 300 AD)
• (Alternate Type) VILLA (Roman - 101 AD to 300 AD)
• FARMSTEAD (Roman - 101 AD to 300 AD)

Summary

Rectangular Roman building identified during 1970 excavations. ?farmhouse or villa. Found under small rectangular enclosure earthwork surrounded by ditch (PRN 14106). 2 phases of construction; building abandoned in C3. Other RB structures and wall sections were found.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds:

Description

(1) Rectangular Roman building excavated by R T Rowley in 1970. The rectangular enclosure formerly called the bailey of the castle (PRN 1148) may be associated with this
(2) 2nd phase of building abandoned early C13th when it appeared to have been systematically levelled
(3) Not classified as a villa for MPP due to insufficient information
(4) Excavation of RB farmhouse found within east enclosure of medieval castle was completed. 2 phases of construction were confirmed, with building abandoned in early C3rd
(7) Enclosure bank and ditch which form three sides of a square on the SE side of the medieval castle is of two periods. Survey and excavation between 1970-82 suggested that the mid Saxon pottery found under the eastern boundary bank indicated occupation in the area. This part of the bank and ditch may be late Saxon, or at least pre-castle. Part of a wall found beneath the castle may have been part of a Saxon building
(9) Work begun in 1970 continued in 1972 where the removal of interior stone features clearly demonstrated two phases of construction. A series of postholes lay sealed below the pitched-stone flooring of the ultimate phase. Three underfloor foetal infant burials were recovered from the middle of the Roman building. On the old ground surface below the mound a drystone structure was partially uncovered which may represent part of the motte structure but is more likely to be part of a pre-motte stone building. Traces of much-weathered RB masonry was also found
(10) A C2nd agricultural building 7.80m wide and more than 12m long was revealed during excavation in the castle bailey
(11) Excavation of eastern bailey of castle revealed traces of early Roman timber structure overlying an apparent Belgic ditch

<1> Local Informant as main provider of information, Recorded on SMR by M Aston, July 1970 (no source given) (Verbal communication). SOX277.

<2> CBA South Midlands Group, South Midlands Archaeology, CBA9 NL 4 (1974) p.12 (Serial). SOX5.

<3> General reference, Rahtz & Rowley: 'Excavation & Survey in a North Oxon Parish, 1970-1982' (oxford, 1984) pp.38-49 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<4> Britannia, Vol 5 (1974) p.436 (Serial). SOX282.

<5> Black and White print photographs, 1 of building foundations taken c.1971 (Photograph). SOX315.

<6> Additional Information in Detailed Record File, Booklet: Excavations at Middleton Stoney, 1970-2 (T Rowley) and Report of Arch Training School, 1970 (Index). SOX258.

<7> General reference, Rahtz & Rowley: 'Excavation and Survey in a North Oxon Parish, 1970-1982 (1984) pp.9, 53, 156 (Bibliographic reference). SOX373.

<8> Lang Hall Archaeological Consultancy, 2004, LINEAR Angelinos Pumping Station to Ardley Reservoir Mains Reinforcement, Oxfordshire: An Assessment of the Archaeological Implications (Unpublished document). SOX1930.

<9> CBA South Midlands Group, South Midlands Archaeology, CBA9 NL 3 (1973) p.22 (Serial). SOX5.

<10> Britannia, Vol III (1972) p.328 (Serial). SOX282.

<11> Britannia, Vol VII (1976) p.337 (Serial). SOX282.

Sources

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