Monument Type(s):

• INDUSTRIAL SITE (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)
• IRON WORKING SITE (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)
• SETTLEMENT (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)

Summary

Analysis of the pottery assemblages retrieved over several years of investigation at this site suggests that the Heath Road settlement began at the end of the C1 and continued in occupation well into the C3. A distinct feature of the settlement was the evidence for industrial activity, especially ironworking.

Related records

Associated Finds

• FSA544 - INGOT (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA163 - NAIL (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA305 - PENDANT (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA166 - QUERN (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA167 - QUERN (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA168 - QUERN (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA2621 - SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)
• FSA164 - SLAG (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• FSA2622 - TEGULA (Roman - 43 AD to 410 AD)
• FSA165 - VESSEL (Late Iron Age to Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Events

• ESA3324 - 1972 salvage recording during A41 dual carriageway, Heath Road, Whitchurch improvements by Andrew Rogerson
• ESA3325 - 1991 excavation at Heath Road, nr Whitchurch by SCCCAS (Site I)
• ESA3326 - 1991 excavation at Heath Road, nr Whitchurch by Giffords and SCCAS (Site V)

Description

A roadside settlement predominantly of the later C1 and C2 produced evidence in the form of pits and ditches. The site lay 2.5km S of the auxiliary fort and later settlement of Mediolanum (Whitchurch). ->

-> Report on salvage recording in 1972 on excavations carried out by Andrew Rogerson on the construction of dual carriageway improvements. Includes specialist report on pottery from the site, which included a samian ware assemblage. <1>
Digital archive for this salvage excavation. Consists of excavation slides, figure slides, and text of report. Physical paper archive deposited with Shropshire Museum Service who already hold finds. <1a>

In early 1991 a watching brief and excavation were carried out during the construction of the Whitchurch By Pass. This suggested that the settlement extended both sides of Heath Rd as far north as the stream. <2>

Interim report on the initial investigation of this site in February - March 1991. Excavations revealed that the ditches and pebble yards of a RB settlement appeared alongside the Roman road (PRN 00066-Viroconium to Mediolanum) shortly after its construction, and at least 4 distinct phases of occupation in the Roman period were observed. The northern limit of the settlement was marked by a stream, whose existence at this period is indicated by its apparent fording by the Roman road. In addition, the excavation of a number of tree pits on the verge of the A41, adjacent to the area recorded in 1972, were monitored; substantial archaeological deposits dating to the Roman period were recorded. These included industrial activity and an area of cobbling. <3>

In June 1991 excavations were carried out by Giffords Archaeological Service and SCC Leisure Services in advance of the construction of a new lay by. This site was called Site V. Three blocks within the threatened area were excavated manually to achieve a 25% sample of the total area. Analysis of the pottery assemblages retrieved over the years at this site suggests that the Heath Road settlement began at the end of the C1 and continued in occupation well into the C3. Its relationship with the Roman town of Whitchurch is not clear, although analysis of pottery assemblages from the salvage recording in 1972 has shown that intensive settlement on this site coincided with the beginning of civilian activity at Whitchurch. The results from Area A suggested that, as a waterlogged area, it was used mainly for dumping rubbish. The main structural evidence came from the house plot in Area D. There was a complex sequence of buildings and hearths, pits, post holes and stake holes, in which a continuation of building plot and possibly property boundaries could be traced. A distinct feature of the settlement was the evidence for industrial activity, especially ironworking. <4>

It was intended that further work would be carried out on the 1991 excavations. To date, no further work has been carried out on the archive, and no pottery report was produced. <5>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.