| Summary : The site of an Iron Age oppidum and a Roman town. Though probably not densely occupied at the time of the Claudian invasion, the Oram's Arbour enclosure was located at a junction of routes which were in active use at this time. The area was important to communications and possibly as a centre for trade and other activities. Little is known about the earliest Roman settlement, although the relationships between some elements of the Iron Age enclosure and the circa 75 AD defences implies that the location remained important. One or more 'chalk islands' existed on the valley floor during the early Roman period and were occupied, and the main channel of the river Itchen flowed farther west than today. Considerable engineering operations were apparently undertaken by about AD 100 to provide a well-drained site in the valley bottom. This work may have been intrinsic to the construction of the forum and basilica, and the establishment of a street grid. It is possible that diversion of part of the main channel of the river and the construction of a complete circuit of defences to the west of the new channel, were the final stages in the development of the plan of the Civitas Capital, completed by the end of the 2nd century. It is possible that an early river channel, running northeast to southwest, provided the alignment seen in disparate parts of Roman Winchester. |
More information : (SU 48202932) VENTA BELGARVM (R) (1)
VENTA. (2)
VENTA BELGARVM (Winchester) is mentioned by Ptolemy and the Ravenna Cosmography as a Civitas Capital. Its origin lies in a Belgic settlement, evidence for which is only coming to light now (SU 42 NE 121). The wall, which encloses an area of some 138 acres, was built c. AD. 200 partly on a pre-existing bank; the street plan of earlier date is now being revealed and the outer system suggests four gates at the cardinal points perhaps succeeded, as was the wall, by medieval gates. 'Turrets' mentioned by 18th c. and 18th c. writers, may refer to 4th c. bastions but evidence is still lacking. (3-6)
It always assumed that the Venta and its state weaving works of the Notitia Dignitatum referred to Winchester, but a recent article suggests that Caistor by Norwich (Venta Icenorum) may be the Venta in question. (7-8)
The continuing work of the Winchester Excavations Committee is produced in the form of 'Interim Reports' in Antiquaries Journal. (9-10)
For details of the Ro. wall, buildings, street plan etc. and Iron Age Pre-Roman sites see Map Diagram. (11-13)
Name 'VENTA BELGARVM' accepted for 4th edition R.B.Map.
Excavations at Winchester have continued in various parts of the city since 1968. The course of the Iron Age enclosure at Oram's Arbour (SU 42 NE 1.15) is now known on the north, west and south sides. The line of the Roman wall in the south-west corner has been shown to protrude as a salient from the line of the west side; the medieval castle wall followed it. Major cemeteries have been located at Lankhills (SU 43 SE 44), Hyde Street (SU 42 NE 1.1) and Chester Road to the east of the town. Roman buildings have been found at Wolvesey Castle (SU 42 NE 1.20), Lower Brook Street (SU 42 NE 1.19) and Cathedral Yard, as well as other sites and finds in and around the Roman town.
See map diagram and component cards.
Iron Age and Roman Winchester.
Tabular material omitted. (14)
SU 480 298. Oram's Arbour. Listed in gazetteer as a univallate hillfort covering 20ha. (15)
Report on excavations at Winchester in 1971. (Assize Courts North; Castle Yard; Winnall; City Road and Lankhills School). Contains conjectural plan of Oram's Arbour enclosure. (16)
Though probably not densely occupied at the time of the Claudian invasion, the Gram¿s Arbour enclosure was located at a junction of routes which were in active use at this time. The area was important to communications and possibly as a centre for trade and other activities. Little is known about the earliest Roman settlement, although the relationships between some elements of the Iron Age enclosure and the c 75 AD defences implies that the location remained important. One or more `chalk islands¿ existed on the valley floor during the early Roman period and were occupied, and the main channel of the river Itchen flowed farther west than today. Considerable engineering operations were apparently undertaken by about AD 100 to provide a well-drained site in the valley bottom. This work may have been intrinsic to the construction of the forum and basilica, and the establishment of a street grid. It is possible that diversion of part of the main channel of the river and the construction of a complete circuit of defences to the west of the new channel, were the final stages in the development of the plan of the Civitas Capital, completed by the end of the 2nd century. It is possible that an early river channel, running northeast to southwest, provided the alignment seen in disparate parts of Roman Winchester. (17)
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