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Summary

Possible Roman Camp, to the west of Ancaster.

Full description

Two ditches were discovered to the west of Ancaster, and indicate that a possible Roman camp may be on the west side of Ermine Street. The ditches ran not quite east to west but it has not been ascertained whether they represent the north or south side of the suspected fort. {1}

40ft of one of the ditches was cleared. It had a sharp V profile, with no drainage gutter. A thick deposit of sand turves was dumped into it from north side where a rampart presumably stood. The ditch was 10ft wide, with a depth of 4-5ft. {2}

The corner of a timber building was discovered some 60ft north of the ditch on a similar alignment. It was interpreted as part of a structure within the suspected fort. {3}

The width of the second ditch was estimated as 16.5ft. These contrasting dimension indicate that the presumed fort lay to the south, as the larger ditch normaly lies on the inner side. The ditch showed no signs of recutting and was filled with rubbish deposits. There seems to have been gravel extraction in this area, which has cut prior burials here. The suspected fort is thought to have been established in reign of Claudius, probably before 47AD. Both ditches ended at a gravel causeway which may be the site of a gate. {4}

<1> TODD, M., 1981, THE ROMAN TOWN AT ANCASTER, - (Bibliographic Reference). SLI1103.

<2> BARLEY, M.W. ET AL, 1966, PARISH FILE, - (Unpublished Document). SLI4612.

<3> BARLEY, M.W. ET AL, 1968, PARISH FILE, - (Unpublished Document). SLI4613.

<4> RODWELL, W. AND ROWLEY, R.T., 1975, SMALL TOWNS OF ROMAN BRITAIN, p.211-23 (Bibliographic Reference). SLI1095.

Monument Types

• FORT? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• TEMPORARY CAMP? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Protected Status

• SHINE

Sources and further reading

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