| Summary : The site of a Roman settlement at Braintree. Material found here suggests an extensive pre-Roman settlement, which continued as a small Roman urban centre at the intersection of Roman roads through the 1st century and perhaps diminishing in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries. In 1974 excavation revealed that apart from road ditches and clay pits of 1st and 2nd century date, the first occupation dates from the late 2nd century. A timber building with an internal partition and hearth was constructed on a gravel platform some 14 metres by 10 metres. This was associated with a drain, probably timber-lined and two large tanks circa 1.6 metres in depth. In the late 3rd century, two buildings stood on the site. One was built on a gravel platform of unknown size. The other was circa 4 metres long, probably square, of post-hole construction with a floor of clay and gravel. A Romano-British cemetery appears to have been located in the London Road/Clare Road area, with further burials at College Road. The only known structure, however, is the timber building found during excavations at 51-57 Rayne Road. |
More information : Material found at Braintree (TL 7523) suggests an extensive pre-Roman settlement, which continued as a small Roman urban centre (listed as a minor Roman town by Rodwell) at the intersection of Roman roads (RR32 and RR33a) through the 1st. century and perhaps diminishing in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries. In 1974 excavation S of Stane Street at TL 755230 revealed that apart from road ditches and clay pits of 1st and 2nd century date, the first occupation dates from the late 2nd century.
A timber building with an internal partition and hearth was constructed on a gravel platform some 14.0 by 10.0m. This was associated with a drain, probably timber-lined and two large tanks circa 1.6m. in depth. In the late 3rd century, two buildings stood on the site. One was built on a gravel platform of unknown size. The other was circa 4.0m. long, probably square, of post-hole construction with a floor of clay and gravel. (For details of Roman finds see TL 72 SE 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,12,15,17,19,39.) (1-4)
Gazetteer of Romano-British sites in and around Braintree and reports of recent excavations (also including Medieval sites).
See map diagram.
Finds of pottery and occupation debris have been found in large quantities at many sites in Braintree. A Romano-British cemetery appears to have been located in the London Road/Clare Road area (TL 72 SE 12), with further burials at College Road (TL 753229), S of the railway (TL 755225), with probable 1st century Belgic burials at The Maizes (TL 758227). The only known structure, however, remains the timber building found during excavations at 51-57 Rayne Road. (Excavation report pages 3-65). (5)
Further excavations in Braintree have taken place at the following locations and are summerised briefly.
TL 75512302. Roman masonry building and timber framed building. Excav Index PRN 14010. (6-7)
TL 75492304. Two Roman ditches to 2ndc-3rdc. Excav Index PRN 14011. (6)
TL 75442288. Roman clay floors, 1stc AD ditch. Excav Index PRN 14012. (6)
TL 75452290. Re-cut Roman ditch. Excav Index PRN 14013. (6)
TL 75472290. Roman building 1stc-3rdc. Excav Index PRN 14009. (6)
TL 75462293. Roman masonry and timber framed buildings. Excav Index PRN 14008. (6)
TL 75642309. Roman timber building. Excav Index PRN 14015. (6)
TL 758231. Roman cess pits, rubbish pits and gully. Excav Index PRN 13524. (8-10)
TL 754230. Iron Age circular house gully, 1stc AD ditch, building platform and later Roman and modern pits. (11-12)
TL 756232. Roman timber framed building and late Medieval pits. (13)
TL 755230. Roman timber framed buildings and a recut 12thc ditch. (13)
TL 755229. Roman clay lined pond and traces of masonry and timber buildings. (13)
TL 75442285. Roman 1stc ditch, clay floors and timber buildings. (13)
TL 75472291. Roman timber framed buildings, two wells. (13)
(TL 75782314. Sited from excavation plan). Prehistoric flints, Roman pits and gully; Medieval ditch. (14)
TL 755229. Roman timber framed structure, c. 4thc AD possible Saxon grubenhaus. Excav Index PRN 13938. (15-16)
The finds are in Braintree Town Hall Centre, Braintree Heritage Centre and in the possession of the Brain Valley Archaeology Society, Braintree District Council and the Manpower Services Commission. Some finds are with the excavators. (6, 8, 11, 13, 15)
A summary of archaeological work in Iron Age and Roman Braintree. (17)
Additional bibliography. (18) |