Land Off Watling Street Mancetter Warwickshire Archaeological Evaluation

Land off Watling Street Mancetter Warwickshire Archaeological Evaluation

for Waterloo Housing Association

CA Project: 4084 CA Report: 13382

June 2013

Land off Watling Street Mancetter Warwickshire

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 4084 CA Report: 13382

prepared by Charlotte Haines, Project Supervisor

date 11 June 2013

checked by Richard Young, Project Manager

date 12 June 2013

approved by Mark Collard, Head of Contracts

signed

date 12 June 2013

issue 02

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49 Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033 e. [email protected] © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ...... 2

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3

The site ...... 3 Archaeological background ...... 4 Archaeological objectives ...... 5 Methodology...... 5

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2 - 5) ...... 6

The finds and palaeoenvironmental evidence ...... 10 Finds ...... 10

3. DISCUSSION ...... 13

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ...... 16

5. REFERENCES ...... 16

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS ...... 18 APPENDIX B: THE FINDS ...... 21 APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE ...... 23 APPENDIX D: TRENCH LEVELS ...... 25 APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM ...... 26

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000) Fig. 2 Trench location plan, showing archaeological features and geophysical survey results (1:200) Fig. 3 Trenches 2 and 3; sections and photographs Fig. 4 Trenches 4 and 5; sections and photograph Fig. 5 Trenches 6, 7 and 8; sections and photographs

1 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

SUMMARY

Project Name: Land off Watling Street Location: Mancetter, Warwickshire NGR: SP 3210 9720 Type: Evaluation Date: 22 - 24 May 2013 Location of Archive: To be deposited with Warwickshire Museum Site Code: MAN 13

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in May 2013 at land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire. Eight trenches were excavated.

The evaluation identified a number of probable boundary or enclosure ditches dating to the early Romano-British period which appear to be broadly aligned with Roman Watling Street. A possible late Roman, wide roadside ditch was also identified.

A number of Roman pits were identified across the site. It is possible some represent exploratory extraction pits for clay, sand and gravel. Some of the pits had later been used for the disposal of domestic waste.

Two postholes were identified. Along with the recovery of a considerable assemblage of ceramic building material, fragments of building stone and possible window glass fragments this could suggest the presence of timber-built structure(s) and/or a Romanised brick or stone built structure within the vicinity of the site. In addition, a quernstone fragment and copper alloy objects were recovered along with an extensive assemblage of ceramics. This would also suggest domestic activity was taking place within the site or in close proximity to it throughout the Roman period.

2 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In May 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for Waterloo Housing Association on land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire (centred on NGR: SP 3210 9720; Fig. 1). The evaluation was undertaken to accompany a poposed planning application for residential development of the site.

1.2 The evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2013) and approved by Anna Stocks, Planning Archaeologist, Warwickshire Museum Service Information and Advice Group, Warwickshire County Council, archaeological advisor to North Warwickshire Borough Council, the local planning authority. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009), the Management of Archaeological Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006). It was monitored by Anna Stocks, including a site visit on 23rd May 2013.

The site

1.3 The proposed development site encloses an area of 0.2ha and is located on the northern edge of Mancetter, immediately south of, and adjacent to, the B4116. It is currently open land under vegetation. A shed and greenhouse are present within the site close to its southern boundary, together with a small number of trees within the eastern half of the survey area. Remnant garden plots, boundaries and paths were also visible on the site in January 2013 (Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013). The site lies at approximately 73m AOD.

1.4 The underlying bedrock geology of the area is mapped as Gunthorpe Member mudstones of the Triassic period, with overlying deposits of River Terrace sands and gravels (BGS 2013).

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Archaeological background

1.5 The development site is located adjacent to the B4116, which follows the line of Roman Watling Street and is located within an area of significant archaeological potential.

1.6 Archaeological fieldwork immediately west of the site in 1977 identified the presence of Roman timber building remains and other Roman features (Warwickshire Historic Environment Record MWA 300). Two trial trenches were excavated in 1977. In Trench 1 modern disturbance had removed earlier occupation deposits, whilst Trench 2 revealed remains of timber Roman buildings in the form of N/S and E/W- aligned lines of postholes. A hollow alongside the N/W-aligned posthole line contained 4th- century AD pottery as well as tegulae and imbrex roof tile fragments. A rectangular tank was also partly exposed (Scott 1977). In addition, archaeological investigations 200m east of the site revealed ditches associated with Watling Street, with evidence for ditch recuts and 1st to 4th-century AD pottery (MWA 386).

1.7 The site also lies approximately 400m west of the western edge of Manduessedum Roman villa, settlement and industrial complex, a Scheduled Monument (SM 30024), and also 400m north of a series of Scheduled Roman camps and forts (SM WA 1240).

1.8 A geophysical survey of the proposed development area, comprising detailed magnetometry survey and resistivity, was undertaken in January 2013 (Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013). The magnetometry survey identified several positive linear anomalies, possibly associated with former garden paths and associated features. Several areas of magnetic debris were also identified, together with individual discrete signals, which may represent ferrous objects and areas of burning/dumping within the site possibly associated with modern use of the site as allotments.

1.9 Several high resistance zones were identified, including some linear and rectilinear elements which did not appear to form a coherent layout and whose character was uncertain. Low resistance anomalies were also revealed by the survey, with an area in the southern part of the site lacking a coherent form and more linear responses

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near the northern boundary which suggested a ditch-like feature (Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013).

Archaeological objectives

1.10 The objectives of the evaluation were to provide information about the archaeological resource within the site, including its presence/absence, character, extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality, in accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009). This information will enable North Warwickshire Borough Council to identify and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

Methodology

1.11 The fieldwork comprised the excavation of eight trenches in the locations shown on the attached plan (Fig. 2). Trench 4 was 5m in length, Trench 5 was 6m in length, Trenches 1, 2, 7 and 8 were 10m in length, Trench 6 was 13m in length and Trench 3 was 15m in length. All trenches were 1.8m in width. The lengths and locations of the trenches were altered slightly from those agreed in the WSI in the avoidance of tree root protection areas and buried services, with the approval of Anna Stocks. Trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (2012).

1.12 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2007).

1.13 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003). Samples from two deposits were taken and are currently being retained by CA at their offices in Kemble. All artefacts

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recovered were processed in accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (1995).

1.14 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner the artefacts will be deposited with Warwickshire Museum, along with the site archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 2 - 5)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results; detailed summaries of the recorded contexts and finds are to be found in Appendices A and B respectively.

Trench 1 (Fig. 2) 2.2 No archaeological features were observed in Trench 1. Natural substrate 1002 comprising light pink grey sandy clay was observed at a depth of 0.60m below present ground level (bpgl). It was sealed by subsoil 1001 which was overlain by topsoil 1000.

Trench 2 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.3 The earliest deposit encountered in Trench 2 was natural substrate 2002 at a depth of 0.76m bpgl. Two ditches were identified cutting this deposit. Ditch 2004 was 1.08m in width and 0.39m in depth. It had a wide V-shaped profile with slightly irregular sides. It was aligned broadly north-west/south-east and contained two silted fills, 2005 and 2006. A copper alloy probable stud (RA 2.1) was recovered from the later of the two fills, 2006. Ditch 2007 was located immediately to the south-west of ditch 2004 and ran roughly parallel to it. This ditch had a U-shaped profile and also contained two fills, 2008 and 2009. Pottery of 2nd-century date and fragments of Roman ceramic building material (CBM) was recovered from the earlier of the two fills, 2008. Both ditch 2004 and ditch 2007 were truncated by a large, shallow possible pit, 2010. This feature was only partially exposed, extending beyond the northern and western limits of the trench. It had gently sloping sides and a concave base and contained two fills 2003 and 2011. The earlier fill 2003 comprised rounded sandstone pebbles in a red grey sandy clay matrix. This deposit contained 33 sherds of pottery of mid 3rd to 4th-century date along with fragments of Roman tegulae and burnt animal bone. It was covered by a silty fill, 2011 which also

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contained a small undateable fragment of CBM. The function of this broad shallow feature was not apparent. It was sealed by subsoil 2001 which was covered by topsoil 2000.

Trench 3 (Figs 2 & 3) 2.4 Natural substrate comprising pinkish grey silty sand and clay was observed at a depth of 0.57m bpgl in Trench 3. It was cut by a north-west/south-east aligned ditch 3006 at the western end of the trench. This ditch ran broadly parallel to those identified in Trench 2 (2004 and 2007). The ditch contained three silty fills, 3005, 3004 and 3003. Roman pottery and CBM was recovered from fills 3004 and 3005. A possible ditch terminus or large pit 3010 was identified in the central part of the trench, 3010. This feature was only partially exposed but appeared to be linear in plan with a concave base and rounded end. It appears to correspond to a roughly north/south aligned high resistance anomaly identified by the resistivity survey (Archaeological Surveys 2013). It was filled by orange grey sandy clay 3011 from which no dating evidence was recovered. A possible re-cut of this feature 3007 was identified suggesting it is more likely to represent a ditch than a pit. The re-cut had a stepped side and flat sloping base. It contained two fills 3008 and 3009 which may have derived from silting. Most of the lower portion of a large locally made mortarium (shallow conical vessels with coarse sand or grit internal surfaces, used for pounding or grinding) was recovered from fill 3009. Vessels of this type date to AD 120-350.

2.5 A number of other features were identified at the eastern end of the trench. A large circular probable posthole 3012 and pit 3015 were identified cutting the natural substrate. The probable posthole contained two fills, 3013 and 3014 from which no dating evidence was recovered. The pit contained a single fill 3016 from which a single fragment of pottery of 1st to 3rd-century date was recovered. Both the posthole and the pit were truncated by a very large shallow cut feature 3017/ 3021. The shape in plan of this feature is not known as it extended beyond the northern limit of the trench but it appeared to be broadly oval. It was 5.3m in length, over 2m in width and 0.38m in depth. At the eastern end of the trench it cut deposit 3020 which comprised, light brown silty sand. This deposit overlay the natural substrate. Due to truncation by a modern service it was not possible to tell if the deposit was the fill of a cut feature lying outside the limits of the trench or if it represented a layer. It is possible it represents a continuation of ditch 7004 identified in trench 7 (see below). No dating evidence was recovered from the deposit. The large oval feature

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3017/3021 contained two fills 3018 and 3019/3022. Fill 3018 comprised clean orange brown sandy clay, whilst 3019/3022 comprised dark brown or black silty clay with abundant charcoal. A very large quantity of pottery (149 sherds) including sherds of 1st or early 2nd-century South Gaulish samian ware were recovered from this deposit along with five fragments of early to middle Roman glass, the copper alloy rim and neck portion of a small flask or flagon (RA 3.3), two iron nail shafts, a portion of the upper stone from a rotary disc quern (RA 3.2) of Roman type and a fragment of dressed building stone. A palaeoenvironmental sample (SS 3.1) taken from this deposit identified a large, well-preserved assemblage of carbonised plant macrofossils and cereal chaff dominated by spelt and emmer/spelt. The poorly preserved charcoal recovered consisted of pedunculate/sessile oak and hawthorn/rowan/crab apple. This material is suggestive of discarded burnt crop processing waste indicated by the large amount of cereal chaff present. The primary function of this feature is uncertain, however it appears to have functioned as a waste disposal pit in the late 1st to 2nd centuries.

2.6 All the features and deposits in Trench 3 were sealed by subsoil 3001, which was covered by topsoil 3000.

Trench 4 (Figs 2 & 4) 2.7 Natural substrate was exposed at 0.85m bpgl in Trench 4. It was cut by a north- west/south-east aligned ditch 4007. The ditch contained a single silted fill 4008 from which pottery dating to the 2nd to 4th-centuries was recovered. The ditch was truncated by a large cut feature 4003. The extent of this feature was not established as it extended beyond the limits of the trench, however it appears to correlate to a broad north-west/south-east aligned low resistance linear anomaly identified by the resistivity survey (Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013) which runs parallel to Watling Street and could indicate the presence of a very broad roadside ditch. It was seen in section to have a very gently sloping southern side. It contained three fills, 4006, 4005 and 4004. The earliest fill 4006 comprised red brown sandy clay with frequent small and medium sized sandstone pebbles. This deposit was covered by 4005 which appeared to have derived from silting. A single sherd of Romano-British pottery was recovered from this fill. Fill 4005 was in turn sealed by 4004, a dumped mixed grey sandy clay layer with frequent pebbles. It was overlain by subsoil 4001, which was covered by topsoil 4000.

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Trench 5 (Figs 2 & 4) 2.8 A cluster of features was identified at the north-eastern end of Trench 5. These features comprised three shallow pits 5005/5007, 5009 and 5011 and a posthole 5003. The earliest features were pits 5005/5007 and 5011 which cut the natural substrate 5002. Both were filled by light grey orange silty sand 5006/5008 and 5012 respectively. Two sherds of pottery of late 1st to early 2nd-century AD date were recovered from fill 5012. Both of these features were truncated by a further shallow oval pit 5009. This feature contained a dark orange grey silty sand fill 5010 from which pottery dating to the 2nd to 4th-centuries was recovered. Pit 5005/5007 was also cut by oval posthole 5003. This feature had steeply sloping sides and a flat base. Its single fill 5004 contained several large sub-angular stones and a fragment of Roman brick which are likely to have functioned as packing around a timber post. The posthole and pits were sealed by subsoil 5001, which was covered by topsoil 5000.

Trench 6 (Figs 2 & 5) 2.9 Natural substrate was identified at 0.53m bpgl in Trench 6. Two intercutting pits 6004 and 6006 were identified which cut this layer; both extended beyond the northern limit of the trench but appeared to be oval in shape. Pit 6006 was the earlier of the two. Both pits contained single silty fills, 6005 and 6003 respectively. 1st to 2nd-century pottery was recovered from fill 6003, whilst pottery and glass broadly dated as Roman was recovered from the fill of the later pit 6005. Both were sealed by a layer of subsoil 6001, which was covered by topsoil 6000.

Trench 7 (Figs 2 & 5) 2.10 A gully was identified in Trench 7, 7004. This feature ran north-east/south-west roughly perpendicular to those ditches identified in Trenches, 2, 3 and 4. It cut the natural substrate 7002. It was approximately 0.51m in width and 0.19m in depth with a U-shaped profile. It contained a single silted fill 7003 comprising light orange grey silty sand, which was similar to the natural substrate in appearance. No dating evidence was recovered from this feature which was sealed by subsoil 7001. Topsoil 7000 sealed the subsoil.

Trench 8 (Figs 2 & 5) 2.11 Natural substrate comprising pink clay, gravel and sand was identified in Trench 8 at 0.6m bpgl. It was cut by a large partially exposed, shallow, sub-circular possible pit 8003. This feature appeared morphologically similar to feature 2010 in Trench 2. It

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was 2.6m in length and 1.7m in width and 0.41m in depth. It contained four fills, 8007, 8006, 8005 and 8004. The earliest fill, 8007, comprised rounded pebbles in a dark red brown silty clay matrix. This deposit contained burnt Roman brick and tile and pottery of 2nd to 4th-century date. It was sealed by a silted layer of red brown silty sand 8006 from which further fragments of CBM were recovered. A palaeoenvironmental sample (SS 8.1) taken from this deposit identified a small number of carbonised emmer/spelt and indeterminate cereal grains and poorly preserved fragments of oak charcoal. The small quantity and poor preservation of this material suggests that the grains are residual derived from scattered or wind- blown hearth waste material. Deposit 8006 was in turn sealed by a further layer of pebbles in a brown sand matrix 8005. Further fragments of Roman brick, tegula, and miscellaneous CBM were also recovered from this deposit which appeared to have been deliberately laid down. It was covered by a further silted layer 8004. The pit was sealed by subsoil 8001, which was overlain by topsoil 8000.

The finds and palaeoenvironmental evidence

Finds 2.12 Artefactual material was recorded from 19 deposits, with all material dating to the Roman period.

Pottery 2.13 Pottery of Roman date was recovered from 15 deposits and amounts to 232 sherds (4084 g). The condition of this material is mixed; surface preservation is poor, the result of weathering from locally acidic soils. The mean sherd weight is however high and not suggestive of high levels of disturbance. There is a single larger context group, from pit fill 3019, from which 149 sherds (1440 g) were recorded.

2.14 The range of material recovered is set out in Appendix B. The majority comprises reduced and oxidised coarsewares, most or all of local manufacture. Vessel forms represented, mostly present from context group 3019, are a mix of neckless/lid- seated jars, ovoid/girth beakers, high-necked shouldered bowls and hemispherical bowls (in oxidised types ox1 and ox2) copying samian form 37 vessels. Samian occurs from pit fill 3019 as two sherds from dish/platter forms (prob. Drag. 18) of south Gaulish manufacture. The range of coarseware forms, in particular the abundance of neckless/lid-seated jars, appears to reflect earlier Roman styles in the wider region to the north and northeast and is comparable to groups of similar date

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from Leicester (Clark 1999, figs. 63–66) and also from the Derby Racecourse excavations (Dool 1986). Examples of local Mancetter/Hartshill mortaria were absent from fill 3019 and this, together with sherds of South Gaulish samian supports a date in the late 1st or early 2nd century. Mancetter/Hartshill mortaria were recorded from fills 2003 and 3009. That from fill 3009 comprises most of the lower portion of a large mortarium although in the absence of the rim, only broad dating across the production period (c. AD 100–350) is possible. Two vessels from fill 2003 are of hammerhead-rimmed class, one of which with brown-painted decoration. As such these vessels are dateable after c. AD 240

Other finds: metalwork 2.15 Two items of copper-alloy were recovered; Ra. 3.3 from fill 3019 is the rim and neck portion of a small flask or flagon. The rim is of bifurcated type and there is a scar from a single handle attachment. The second item, from fill 2006 (Ra. 2.1), consists of a stud with wide, flat head. The sheet metal head was heavily corroded and fragmentary and it is unclear as to whether this was flat or domed, although both are known as Roman finds (Crummy 1983, 116–17). In addition to the items of copper alloy, two iron nail shafts were recovered from Roman-dated fill 3019.

Glass 2.16 Fragments from deposits 3019 and 6005 are of natural green glass of the type common from the early or middle Roman period (1st to 3rd centuries). The fragments are thick (7-8mm) and flat but otherwise unfeatured. They probably come from ‘prismatic’ (square or polygonal) bottles, or may represent window glass.

Stone 2.17 A portion of the upper stone from a rotary disc quern of Roman type was recorded from fill 3019 (Ra. 3.2). The stone type is provisionally identified as millstone grit and as such probably originates from sources in Derbyshire. A fragment of ?local sandstone from the same deposit exhibits some signs of being dressed and presumably represents building stone.

Ceramic Building material 2.18 Quantities of Roman ceramic building material were recorded from fills 2003, 2008, 3004, 3005, 5004, 8005, 8006 and 8007. All occurs in a similar gritty, orange-firing fabric. Most material is heavily fragmented although tegulae (flanged roof tiles) and brick fragments are identifiable. Although a small group, the prevalence of the

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material might be suggestive of a substantial Romanised structure in the area or possibly tile/brick production.

Interpretation 2.19 The quantities of Roman pottery and other material are a good indication of activity at the site from as early as the late 1st century AD. Pottery dating to the later 3rd century, which includes locally-produced Mancetter/Hartshill mortaria, is an indication of activity extending into the later Roman period, although it is unclear whether occupation was continuous. The quantity and range recorded of pottery and inclusion of such items as quern (Ra. 3.2), suggest that activity was domestic in character. ‘Status’ is more difficult to assess from such a small group; the quantities of imported samian are small and there is nothing in the group to suggest higher status or military character. A possible indication for the presence of Romanised structures in the vicinity, is the presence of ceramic brick/tile and of dressed building stone.

Palaeoenvironmental Evidence 2.20 Two environmental samples (34 litres of soil) were retrieved from two deposits with the intention of recovering evidence of industrial or domestic activity and material for radiocarbon dating. The samples were processed by standard flotation procedures (CA Technical Manual No. 2).

2.21 Sample 3.1 was taking from fill 3019 within pit 3017 dating to the Roman period. The sample contained a large, well-preserved assemblage of carbonised plant macrofossils dominated by spelt (Triticum spelta) and emmer/spelt wheat (Triticum dicoccum/Triticum spelta) grains with smaller numbers of spelt/free-threshing wheat (Triticum spelta/Triticum aestivum/Triticum durum/Triticum turgidum) and oats (Avena) recorded. A large amount of cereal chaff identified as spelt and emmer/spelt glume bases was also present. Arable weeds included a large number of bromes (Bromus) seeds and a single corncockle (Agrostemma githago) seed. A small number of dock (Rumex) seeds, indicative of disturbed/arable environments were also present. The charcoal recovered was poorly-preserved and consisted of pedunculate/sessile oak (Quercus robur/petraea) and hawthorn/rowan/crab apple (Crataegus monogyna/Sorbus spp/Malus sylvestris). This material is suggestive of discarded burnt crop processing waste indicated by the large amount of cereal chaff present.

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2.23 Sample 8.1 was recovered from fill 8006 within pit 8003 the sample contained a small number of carbonised emmer/spelt and indeterminate cereal grains. A fragment of a bromes seed was also present. The charcoal recovered was poorly preserved and largely identifiable with the exception of four fragments of oak charcoal. The small quantity and poor preservation of this material suggests that the grains are residual derived from scattered or wind-blown hearth waste material.

2.24 A small number of modern weeds were present within the samples, however since these were in very low quantities, they are not thought to represent significant risk of contamination

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The evaluation identified evidence of Romano-British activity within the site. The archaeological features encountered did not correspond to the positive linear and discrete anomalies identified by the magnetometer survey but features in Trenches 3 and 5 appeared to broadly correspond to high resistance trends picked up by the resistivity survey, notably probable ditch terminus 3007 in Trench 3 which corresponds to a north/south aligned trend.

3.2 No features were identified which were found to positively pre- or post-date the Romano-British period. Features which did not contain dateable material, (i.e. pit 5005/5007 and ditch 7004) can be tentatively dated to the Roman period through their probable association with, or stratigraphic relationships to other features proven to be Roman in date. The dateable features can be split into two phases, the early to middle Roman period and the middle to late Roman period.

Undated 3.3 The north-east/south-west aligned gully identified in trench 7 contained no dateable material and had no stratigraphic relationship with other features. However it is probable it dates to the early Roman period as it is aligned roughly perpendicular to ditches of that date identified in trenches 2 and 3. Furthermore it is possible that deposit 3020 identified in trench 3 represents a continuation of this feature. This deposit is cut by probable mid-late Roman pit 3017/3019.

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Phase 1: The early to middle Roman period (the 1st to 2nd-centuries) 3.4 Three ditches dating to this phase were identified by the evaluation, 2004, 2007 and 3006. These ditches were aligned roughly parallel to the B4116 which follows the line of Roman Watling Street. It is likely these ditches demarcate boundaries which respect the course of this road.

3.5 Several discrete features which are likely to date to this phase were identified in the north-eastern part of the site, in trenches 3, 5 and 6. Pits 3015, 5011, 6004 all contained pottery of 1st to 3rd-century date whilst pit 5011 contained late 1st to early 2nd-century pottery. Posthole 3012 and pit 5005/5007 did not contain dating evidence but were both cut by features believed to date to the later Roman period. The function of the small shallow pits 3015, 5005/5007, 5011, 6004 and 6006, was not apparent. All appeared to have naturally silted. It is possible they could represent exploratory sand, clay or gravel extraction pits, all of which are present in various concentrations in the natural substrate. The presence of posthole 3012, along with a further posthole 5003 which can only be broadly dated to the Roman period, may indicate the presence of Roman timber-built structures existing within the site, however as these features were identified in isolation little can be suggested of the character of such putative structures. The presence of possible structures is further shown by the presence of possible Roman window glass and the assemblage of Roman ceramic building material including tegulae and brick fragments recovered from features dating to both the early and late Roman periods.

Phase 2: The middle to late Roman period (the 2nd to 4th-centuries) 3.6 Ditch 4007 identified in trench 4 contained pottery of 2nd to 4th-century date. Similarly to the ditches dated to the earlier Roman period this feature was aligned parallel to Roman Watling Street and is likely to represent a boundary. The ditch was truncated a possible very broad ditch 4003. The later feature corresponds to a north-west/south-east aligned trend identified by the resistivity survey and could represent a late roadside ditch associated with Watling Street. The probable ditch terminal identified in trench 3, 3010, is aligned roughly perpendicular to ditches 4003 and 4007 and Watling Street and corresponds to a high resistance linear anomaly identified by the resistivity survey. Whilst the latest dumped fill of the re-cut of this feature contained 2nd to 4th century pottery, it is possible the ditch, which is likely to represent part of an enclosure or boundary, had origins in the earlier Roman period.

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3.7 Several pits of probable mid to late Roman date were also identified; in trenches 2, 3, 5 and 8. Pits 2010 and 8003 were morphologically similar to one another, appearing to be broadly oval in shape and having layers of pebbles laid within them. The layers of pebbles may suggest attempts at consolidation of the hollows after they had fallen into disuse from their original function which remains unknown. Pottery of mid 3rd to mid 4th-century date was recovered from the stoney layer in pit 2003 whilst 2nd to 4th century pottery was recovered from the earlier stone consolidation layer in pit 8003.

3.8 Pit 3017/3021 in Trench 3 appeared to have been used for the disposal of domestic and crop processing waste. The latest fill contained a large quantity of fragmented discarded domestic objects including ceramics, a copper alloy vessel fragment and fragments of a rotary quern and building stone along with a large amount of burnt cereal chaff. The absence of Mancetter/Hartshill mortaria from the large assemblage of pottery recovered from this deposit is suggestive of a late 1st to early 2nd-century date for this feature. However three sherds of pottery dating to the 2nd to 4th- centuries were recovered from this deposit in a further intervention, 3022. The function of this feature is not certain as it was only partially exposed by the evaluation. Although it appears to have ultimately been used for the disposal of domestic and crop processing waste, its shallow wide shape suggest this is unlikely to have been its primary function.

3.9 Pit 5009 which cut pits 5005/5007 and 5011 contained mid to late Roman pottery. Similarly to the earlier pits it appeared to have naturally silted and its function is not certain.

3.10 The considerable artefactual assemblage recovered from the features exposed by the evaluation is suggestive of activity within the site from the 1st to 4th centuries. The presence of the quernstone fragment and copper alloy objects along with the ceramic assemblage suggests domestic activities were taking place either within the site or in close proximity to it, possibly in the adjoining western property where timber-built structures of this date are known to have existed (Warwickshire Historic Environment Record MWA 300). The two postholes, along with the considerable assemblage of ceramic building material, fragment of building stone and possible window glass fragments suggest the presence of a Romanised structure within the vicinity of the site. The ditches aligned parallel or perpendicularly to Watling Street may indicate boundaries or enclosures associated with such a structure or

15 © Cotswold Archaeology Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation

structures. Whilst the primary function of the pits identified within the site was not clear it is possible some of the larger ones could be associated with exploration/extraction of natural materials.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Charlotte Haines, assisted by Anthony Beechey, Sarah Foster, Noel Boothroyd and Aleksandra Osinska. The report was written by Charlotte Haines. The finds report was written by Ed McSloy. The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett. The archive has been compiled by Charlotte Haines, and prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by Richard Young.

5. REFERENCES

Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013 Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire. Magnetometer and Earth Resistance Survey Report. Ref. No. 450

BGS (British Geological Survey) 2013 http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html Accessed 10 May 2013

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2003 The taking and processing of environmental and other samples from archaeological sites, CA Technical Manual No. 2

CA 2013 Land off Watling Street, Mancetter Warwickshire: Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Evaluation.

Crummy, N. 1983 Colchester Archaeological Report 2: The Roman small finds from excavations in Colchester 1971–9. Colchester, Colchester Archaeological Trust

Clark, R. 1999 ‘The Roman Pottery’, in Connor and Buckley 1999, 95–164

Connor, A. and Buckley, R. 1999 Roman and Medieval Occupation in Causeway Lane, Leicester: Excavations 1980 and 1991 Leicester, Leicester Archaeology Monographs No. 5

Dool, J. 1986 ‘Roman Derby: ‘Derby Racecourse: Excavations on the Roman Industrial Settlement, 1974’ Derbyshire Archaeological Journal. 105, 155–221

Scott, K, 1977 West Midlands Archaeological Natural History Society , Vol. 20, 40

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Trench Context Type Fill of Context Description L (m) W (m) Depth Spot- No. No. interpretation /thick date ness (m) 1 1000 layer topsoil dark grey silty sand 0.31 1 1001 layer subsoil brown orange silty sand 0.29 1 1002 layer natural substrate light pink grey sandy clay 2 2000 layer topsoil dark grey silty clay 0.28 2 2001 layer subsoil yellow brown sandy 0.48 clay 2 2002 layer natural brown red clay substrate 2 2003 fill 2010 1st fill pebbles in red grey clay >5 >1.8 0.14 MC3-MC4 2 2004 cut ditch nw/se linear >1.8 1.08 0.39 2 2005 fill 2004 1st fill red brown sandy clay >1.8 0.7 0.17 2 2006 fill 2004 2nd fill red brown silty clay >1.8 1.08 0.23 RB 2 2007 cut ditch nw/se linear >1.8 0.74 022 2 2008 fill 2007 1st fill red brown sandy clay >1.8 0.5 0.15 C2 2 2009 fill 2007 2nd fill grey brown silty sand and >1.8 0.74 0.11 clay 2 2010 cut pit partially exposed ovoid, >5 >1.8 0.4 concave base 2 2011 fill 2010 2nd fill grey brown sandy clay >5 >1.8 0.26 3 3000 layer topsoil dark grey silty sand 0.28 3 3001 layer subsoil brown orange silty sand 0.32 3 3002 layer natural light pink grey sandy substrate clay 3 3003 fill 3006 3rd fill yellow grey silty sand >1 0.65 0.10 3 3004 fill 3006 2nd fill dark orange brown sandy >1 0.65 0.18 C2 gravel 3 3005 fill 3006 1st fill light grey clay silt >1 0.60 0.10 RB 3 3006 cut ditch nw/se linear >4 1 0.27 3 3007 cut re-cut of ditch n/s linear >1.8 1.11 0.49 terminal 3 3008 fill 3007 1st fill grey coarse sand in clay 0.98 0.22 3 3009 fill 3007 2nd fill orange grey sandy clay 1.11 0.28 C2-C4 3 3010 cut ditch terminal n/s linear >1.8 >0.65 0.51 3 3011 fill 3010 only fill orange grey sandy clay >1.8 >0.65 0.51 3 3012 cut posthole partially exposed circular, 0.51 0.43 concave base 3 3013 fill 3012 1st fill light orange sandy clay 0.51 0.25 3 3014 fill 3012 2nd fill orange brown sandy clay 0.51 0.19 3 3015 cut pit partially exposed ovoid, 0..83 >0.3 0.17 concave base 3 3016 fill 3015 only fill grey coarse sandy clay 0..83 >0.3 0.17 C1-C3 3 3017 cut possible pit partially exposed ovoid, flat 5.3 >2 0.38 base 3 3018 fill 3017 1st fill orange brown sandy clay 1.81 >0.7 0.28 3 3019 fill 3017 2nd fill black/dark brown silty clay 5.3 >2 0.36 LC1-EC2 3 3020 layer deposit light brown silty sand >1 0.19 3 3021 cut pit same as 2017 3 3022 fill 3021 only fill same as 3019 C2-C4 4 4000 layer topsoil dark grey brown silty 0.28

sand 4 4001 layer subsoil mid yellow brown sandy 0.40 clay 4 4002 layer natural yellow orange sandy substrate clay 4 4003 cut ditch? large cut feature, poss >5 0.35 aligned nw/se 4 4004 fill 4003 3rd fill pebbles in dark grey silty >1.8 0.21 sand 4 4005 fill 4003 2nd fill mid brown silty sand >1.8 0.12 RB 4 4006 fill 4003 1st fill pebbles in mid orange >1.8 0.06 brown silty clay 4 4007 cut ditch nw/se linear >1.8 0.75 0.25 4 4008 fill 4007 only fill mid orange brown silty >1.8 0.75 0.25 C2-C4 sandy clay 4 4009 cut modern service cut for modern sewer pipe >1.8 >0.5 >0.8 4 4010 fill 4009 only fill re-deposited topsoil and >1.8 >0.5 >0.8 subsoil and ceramic drain 5 5000 layer topsoil dark grey brown silty 0.35 sand 5 5001 layer subsoil mid yellow brown sandy 0.50 clay 5 5002 layer natural red and yellow orange substrate sandy clay 5 5003 cut posthole oval, flat base 0.68 0.48 0.22 5 5004 fill 5003 only fill packing stone in dark grey 0.68 0.48 0.22 silty sand 5 5005 cut pit partially exposed , oval 1.4 >0.55 0.14 5 5006 fill 5005 only fill grey orange silty sand 1.4 >0.55 0.14 5 5007 cut pit same as 5005 1.4 >0.55 0.14 5 5008 fill 5007 only fill same as 5006 1.4 >0.55 0.14 5 5009 cut pit partially exposed, oval, flat >1.3 >0.5 0.28 base 5 5010 fill 5009 only fill dark orange grey silty sand >1.3 >0.5 0.28 C2-C4 5 5011 cut pit partially exposed, oval, flat >1.8 >1.3 0.35 base 5 5012 fill 5011 only fill orange grey silty sand >1.8 >1.3 0.35 LC1-EC2 6 6000 layer topsoil dark grey brown silty 0.23 sand 6 6001 layer subsoil mid yellow brown silty 0.30 sand 6 6002 layer natural pink grey, orange sandy substrate clay 6 6003 fill 6004 only fill mid grey brown sandy silt 0.86 0.27 C1-C3 6 6004 cut pit partially exposed oval, 0.86 0.27 concave base 6 6005 fill 6006 only fill dark grey brown sandy silt 0.91 0.30 RB 6 6006 cut pit partially exposed oval, 0.91 0.30 concave base 7 7000 layer topsoil dark grey brown silty 0.23 sand 7 7001 layer subsoil light grey orange silty 0.30 sand 7 7002 layer natural pink grey, orange sandy substrate clay 7 7003 fill 7004 only fill light orange grey silty sand 1.3 0.51 0.19 7 7004 cut ditch ne/sw linear 1.3 0.51 0.19 8 8000 layer topsoil dark grey brown silty 0.25 sand 8 8001 layer subsoil light grey orange silty 0.35 sand

8 8002 layer natural pink orange sandy clay substrate 8 8003 cut pit partially exposed, oval, flat >2.6 >1.7 0.41 base 8 8004 fill 8003 4th fill dark brown silty sand <2.5 >1.4 0.10 8 8005 fill 8003 3rd fill pebbles in brown sand <2.6 <1.7 0.10 8 8006 fill 8003 2nd fill dark red brown sandy silt >1.3 >1 0.13 8 8007 fill 8003 1st fill pebbles in dark red brown >1.4 >1.1 0.08 C2-C4 silty clay

APPENDIX B: THE FINDS

Table 1: Finds concordance Context Material* Description Count weight Spot-date 2003 Animal bone cattle molar tooth 1 3 MC3-MC4 cbm tegula; misc Roman brick/tile 10 514 pottery Roman 33 763 2006 Copper alloy stud 1 - RB 2008 cbm Roman brick/tile 2 10 C2 fired/burnt clay Indet. 2 41 pottery Roman 7 56 2011 cbm sm frag 1 2 - 3004 Animal bone burnt: large sized mammal 2 4 C2 cbm tegula; misc tile 4 650 pottery Roman 14 146 3005 cbm Misc tile 1 154 RB pottery Roman 1 6 RB 3009 Animal bone burnt:caprovine radius 1 3 C2-C4 pottery Roman 3 1382 3016 pottery Roman 1 4 C1-C3 3019 Copper alloy neck/rim from cast flask/bottle? p with 1 0 LC1-EC2 single handle attachment fired/burnt clay Indet. 1 5 glass nat. green – vessel/window 5 43 iron nail shafts 2 - pottery Roman 149 1440 Stone Quern: upper stone disc type with 1 2088 side handle groove (millstone grit) Stone dressed? sandstone 1 3024 3022 pottery Roman 3 7 C2-C4 4004 fired/burnt clay Indet. 1 5 - 4005 pottery Roman 1 6 RB 4008 pottery Roman 3 11 C2-C4 5004 cbm Roman brick 1 433 RB 5010 pottery Roman 4 14 C2-C4 5012 pottery Roman 2 2 LC1-EC2 6003 pottery Roman 4 225 C1-C3 6005 glass nat. green vessel glass 1 9 RB pottery Roman 2 9 8005 cbm brick; tegula; misc 10 560 RB 8006 cbm Roman brick/tile 2 29 RB 8007 cbm Roman brick/tile (burnt) 2 25 C2-C4 pottery Roman 5 13 *key: cbm = ceramic building material

Table 2: Roman pottery summary quantification Source fabric Description Count Weight(g) Regional dorbb1 Dorset Black-burnished 2 8 shell Shell-tempered 17 65 svwo Severn valley ware 1 21 Local/ grogq Grog with quartz 3 222 unsourced gw1 Medium/fine sandy greyware 65 515 gw1r Greyware with clay rustication 2 14 gw2 Coarser sandy greyware 15 85 gw3 Black-firing sandy wares 2 26 gw3r Black-firing sandy wares with clay rustication 4 12 gw4 Hard, iron grey sandy greyware 1 20 gw5 Coarse/grogged greywares 10 202 gw6 Pale-bodied ?Nene valley greywares 2 9 mahwh Mancetter/Hartshill whiteware 20 1907 ox1 Fine oxidised 38 260 ox2 Coarser oxidised 11 95 whf Fine whiteware (Mancetter/Hartshill?) 18 67 whg Gritty whitewares 4 22 Continental batam Batetican amphoras 11 475 lezsa2 Central Gaulish (Lezoux) samian 2 14 lgfsa South Gaulish La Graufesenque samian 3 42 egsa East Gaulish samian 1 4 Total 232 4084

APPENDIX C: THE PALAEOENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE

Plant macrofossil identification table

Key + = 1-4 items; ++ = 5-20 items; +++ = 21-40 items; ++++ = >40 items

A = arable weed; D = weed/plant indicative of disturbance; P = weed/plant indicative of pasture/grassland; M = weed/plant indicative of marshland/wetland areas; HSW = hedgerow/shrub/woodland plant; E = economic plant

Context number 3019 8006 Feature number 3017 8003 Sample number (SS) 3.1 8.1 Feature type Pit Pit Flot volume (ml) 143 2.5 Sample volume processed (l) 20 14 Percentage of sample processed 50% 100% Period Roman Roman Plant macrofossil preservation Good Poor Habitat Family Species Common Name Code D/A Amaranthaceae Chenopodium L. (Blitum L.) Goosefoots (modern) +++ + D/P Asteraceae Cirsium Mill./Carduus L. Thistles (modern) + A Caryophyllaceae Agrostemma githago L. Corncockle + D/M/A Stellaria L. Stitchworts (modern) + D/A/P Fabaceae Vicia L./Lathyrus L. Vetches/Peas whole (1-2mm) + D/A/P Vicia L./Lathyrus L. Vetches/Peas whole (2-3mm) + E Poaceae Avena L. Oats +++ A/D Bromus L. Bromes ++++ + Triticum dicoccum/ E Emmer/spelt wheat grain ++++ + Triticum spelta E Triticum spelta Spelt wheat grain +++ E Triticum spelta Spelt wheat glume base ++++ Triticum spelt/Triticum aestivum L./ Spelt wheat/ E ++ Triticum turgidum L./ free-threshing wheat grain Triticum durum Desf. E Poaceae Indeterminate cereal grains ++++ ++ E Poaceae Hulled wheat glume bases ++++ D/A/P/ Polygonaceae Rumex L. Docks ++ M/HSW Flot Inclusions Charcoal ++++ (s) ++ (s)

Charcoal identification tables

Key

+ = 1-4 items; ++ = 5-20 items; +++ = 21-40 items; ++++ = >40 items h/w = heartwood (evidence of tyloses) (s) = charcoal mostly consists of highly fragmented, unidentifiable pieces

Context number 3019 8006 Feature number 3017 8003 Sample number (SS) 3.1 8.1 Feature type Pit Pit Flot volume (ml) 143 2.5 Sample volume processed (l) 20 14 Percentage of sample processed 50% 100% Period Roman Roman Charcoal quantity ++++ (s) ++ (s) Charcoal preservation Poor Poor Family Species Common Name Quercus robur L./ Fagaceae Pedunculate Oak/Sessile Oak 8 4 Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. Quercus robur L./ Pedunculate Oak/Sessile Oak h/w 1 Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. h/w Crataegus monogyna Jacq./ Rosaceae Hawthorn/rowan/ crab apple 1 Sorbus L./Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill. Indeterminate 6 Number of Fragments: 10 10

APPENDIX D: TRENCH LEVELS

Levels are expressed as metres Above Ordnance Datum (AOD).

Trench Trench Trench Trench Trench Trench Trench Trench 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Present ground level 73.64m 73.88m 73.51m 73.41m 73.33m 73.59m 73.75m 73.91m

Top of archaeological - 73.58m 72.96m 72.87m 72.58m 73.05m 73.30m 73.51m features/deposits Top of natural substrate 73.08m 73.16m 72.93m 72.84m 72.57m 73.05m 73.29m 73.51m

APPENDIX E: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation Short description (250 words maximum) An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in May 2013 at land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire. Eight trenches were excavated.

Previous work Geophysical Survey, (Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2013) Future work Unknown PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire Study area (M2/ha) 0.2Ha Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SP 3210 9720 PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator Warwickshire County Council Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology Project Manager Richard Young Project Supervisor Charlotte Haines MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive: Content

Physical Warwickshire Museum Pottery, Animal bone, Cu alloy Objects, Stone Paper Warwickshire Museum Context sheets, Drawings, Trench Sheets Digital Warwickshire Museum Digital photos, Survey data BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Land off Watling Street, Mancetter, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation. CA typescript report 13382