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| HER Number: | MDV71475 |
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| Name: | Roman Cemetery in Topsham |
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Summary
Site of a Roman cemetery in Topsham
Location
| Grid Reference: | SX 962 883 |
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| Map Sheet: | SX98NE |
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| Admin Area | Devon |
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| Civil Parish | Exeter |
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| District | Exeter |
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| Ecclesiastical Parish | TOPSHAM |
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Protected Status: none recorded
Other References/Statuses: none recorded
Monument Type(s) and Dates
- CEMETERY (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD (Between))
Full description
Sage, A. + Allan, J., 2004, The Early Roman Military Defences, Late Roman Cemetery and Later Features at the Topsham School, Topsham, 11-15, 20-22 (Article in Serial). SDV322088.
Excavation by Exeter Archaeology on the site of the new Combined School in Topsham revealed graves from a later Roman inhumation cemetery. Although none of the pits contained any trace of bone or definite grave goods there can be little doubt, from their size and shape, that they were all graves. Apart from a few small undiagnostic sherds of pottery and a residual coin of Claudius, the only finds were iron nails. A group of twelve small hobnails from one grave presumably indicates the burial of an individual with a pair of sandals. The other nails were probably coffin nails. Most of the graves were orientated north west/south east, parallel to the river cliff but two lying between the curving early Roman military ditches were aligned with them, indicating that the defences were still visible features when the cemetery was in use. Although no direct dating evidence was found the lack of evidence for cremation burials suggests a mid-late Roman date, when inhumation replaced cremation as the dominant burial rite. This date is supported by the presence of coffin nails and hobnails.
Dyer, M. J., 2006, Archaeological Monitoring and Recording during Gas Pipeline Replacement at Ashford Road, Topsham, 1 (Report - Watching Brief). SDV344047.
Sources / Further Reading
| SDV322088 | Article in Serial: Sage, A. + Allan, J.. 2004. The Early Roman Military Defences, Late Roman Cemetery and Later Features at the Topsham School, Topsham. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society. 62. Paperback Volume. 11-15, 20-22. |
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| SDV344047 | Report - Watching Brief: Dyer, M. J.. 2006. Archaeological Monitoring and Recording during Gas Pipeline Replacement at Ashford Road, Topsham. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.52. A4 Stapled + Digital. 1. |
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Associated Monuments
| MDV67998 | Part of: Roman Military Site in Topsham (Monument) |
| MDV67998 | Related to: Roman Military Site in Topsham (Monument) |
| MDV67998 | Part of: Roman Military Site in Topsham (Monument) |
| MDV67998 | Related to: Roman Military Site in Topsham (Monument) |
Associated Finds: none recorded
Associated Events
- EDV1743 - Early Roman Military Defences, Late Roman Cemetery and Later Features at the Topsham School, Topsham
- EDV4578 - Watching Brief at Ashford Road, Topsham
| Date Last Edited: | Jan 11 2010 11:42AM |
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