Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Piercebridge Vicus
Hob Uid: 23771
Location : Darlington Piercebridge
Grid Ref : NZ2120015700
Summary : The site of cropmarks of the partially excavated vicus settlement associated with Piercebridge Roman fort. Two buildings were discovered, one dating from the late 2nd to early 3rd century, the second dating to the 3rd century in which an altar was found. Hypocausts, workshops containing kilns, and bronze working debris were found.
More information : (NZ 212157) APs show cropmarks of a vicus in the field east of the fort (NZ 21 NW 2) known as the Tofts. The settlement must have covered almost all the field of some 11 acres and perhaps extended beyond it to the north. About 30 buildings, varying from 50 ft - 70 ft in length, can be counted. A road is visible running some 500 ft through the settlement to the east gate of the fort. (1-2) (NZ 2113 1564) Excavations in 1973 exposed two rectangular buildings, one inside the other. The later and larger had a little used hypocaust in one corner and appeared to date from the 3rd century AD. The earlier building dates to late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, and overlays a well built metalled road which led to an oven of late 1st century date. (See Plan) (3) A buff sandstone altar, 0.15m by 0.22m by 0.11m, inscribed DIIO/VIIT/ERI (Deo Veteri), was found at NZ 21141566 in a hypocaust in the latest phase of the building in the 1973 excavations by Scott and in his excavations in 1974 workshops containing kilns and bronze-working debris, including a crucible with traces of copper still adhering, were found to the east of Dere Street (RR 8c) in Tofts Field. (4-5) Nothing visible on the ground in 'Tofts', an arable field, but parts of two vicus buildings impinging on the east wall of the fort are exposed in current excavations at NZ 21191567. (See NZ 21 NW 2). (6) A transcription of trackways and buildings in the vicus was carried out by R. Bewley of the Air Photography Unit of RCHME in 1987 (Event Uid 972683). The archive consists of plans and is held by RCHME (Collection Uid 974508). (7) The area was visited by RCHME in 1991. The Tofts field was under crop. (8) NZ 210158 NZ 209157 NZ 210157 Piercebridge Roman Station. Scheduled. (9) Report of excavations carried out in 1939. (10) Report of excavations carried out in 1973. (11) NZ 211 157. Excavations uncovered a Roman kiln. (12) NZ 2110 1573. Excavations uncovered the remains of a granary, whether it is military or civilian is unclear. (13) NZ 211 158. An Anglo-Saxon sceat found just outside the east ditch of the fort. (14) Additional references. (15-19)

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Page(s) : 82-3
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Vol(s) : 45, 1955

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Source details : CUC GU 0039
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Vol(s) : 13, 1982

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Page(s) : 383, 385, 393
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Source Number : 18
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Source details : P Scott 1977 Guide to the visible remains of Roman Piercebridge Priv Pub: Durham City
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Vol(s) : 4 no 5 Sept 1973

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Source details : F1 RWE 23-OCT-81
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : Robert Bewley/1987/RCHME: Piercebridge Vicus Project
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Peter Topping/05-SEP-1991/RCHME: Durham SAMs Project
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Source details : Durham
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Page(s) : 127-38
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Vol(s) : 9(2), 1942

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date : 410
Monument Start Date : 43
Monument Type : Vicus, Building, Hypocaust, Workshop, Kiln, Altar
Evidence : Cropmark, Sub Surface Deposit, Find

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : DU 29
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 21 NW 41
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : Is referred to by

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1933-01-01
End Date : 1933-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1939-01-01
End Date : 1939-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1973-01-01
End Date : 1973-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1974-01-01
End Date : 1974-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1975-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1980-01-01
End Date : 1981-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1981-10-23
End Date : 1981-10-23

Associated Activities :
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 1987-01-01
End Date : 1987-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1991-06-01
End Date : 1991-12-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31