More information : Suspected Roman temple at Ratham Mill (SU 809064), seen indistinctly
in previous years, showed in considerable detail in 1963. (1)
According to Miss Rule, a "square within a square" shows on APs
held by her(a). Small abraded fragments of Ro tile are scattered
over a wide area centred SU 809064, but no other surface features
can be seen. Excavation proposed. (2)
No further development. Site being kept under surveillance by
Mrs Rule. (3)
Sited close to a stream flowing south into Chichester Harbour. Surface scatter of tiles and pottery. APs suggest that the building had 3 concentric squares with sides of 15.5m, 8.5m and 4m respectively, though there may be no southern sides to the two inner squares. Probably an entrance on the east side overlooking the stream. Innermost square may represent a plinth for an altar or statue, or the surround of a well or pool. Surface sherds suggest a late 1st to 2nd century AD date. A double-ditched crop-mark to the south-west may represent a road leading to the site or the Havant-Chichester road itself. Suggested that the site may lie within the estate of the Fishbourne Villa. (4)
Note on further work on the site. (5)
The Roman period temple and possible Iron Age shrine described above in (1-4) were not visible on aerial photographs available to a survey of the Chichester area carried out as part of doctoral research. Details of the transcription from the 1963 photographs were added to the project (5). Possible field boundaries or land divisions formed of spread banks were visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs immediately to the north of the temple and shrine sites and may have been associated with either or both of the phases of use of the site (recorded separately). The site is recorded on Chichester and District HER (CD1065 and CD4258). |