Information for record number MWA1147:
Possible Roman settlement

Summary Enclosures are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The site was excavated prior to development. Ditches, pits, a semi-circular feature, and some occupational debris were found, suggesting a rural settlement of Roman date. It was situated 300m east of Hail End Bridge.
What Is It?  
Type: Enclosure, Ditch, Pit, Settlement
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Charlecote
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 26 57
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Excavations carried out in 1967 on site threatened by gravel extraction. The site shows on aerial photographs as a series of intersecting rectangular enclosures covering about 3.7 ha. An area of about 30 by 30m was opened up and trenches cut to establish chronology and layout. There appear to have been three closely related periods dated by pottery in ditches from the end of 1st century AD to the beginning of 3rd century. No traces of buildings were found in the area under Excavation apart from a quantity of burnt stone in the ditches which may have supported a timber construction in this loose soil. The ditches were in most cases V-shaped and some appear to have supported timbers which were subsequently removed. There were no finds except pottery, leading to the conclusion that this was a poor settlement of early Roman date having a comparatively short period of existence.
2 Initially two 0.9m trenches were cut at right angles to each other to locate crop marks. The first trench revealed a single ditch with early Romano British pottery at its W end. The second trench ran N-S and revealed a series of ditches. An area 20 x 25m was cleared mechanically and ditches were excavated to examine construction, dating evidence and sequence. A S double ditch was found and traced outside the stripped area by trenching. At its W end this joined with the N-S ditch found in trench 1. Another double ditch was found to the N of this ditch. The N ditch of this double ditch had a trench cut into its lip, which may have held timbers for a revettment. This double ditch was part of an enclosure, two sides of which were located and the enclosure shown to be about 21 x 21m. Two further enclosures were examined. A large circular shallow ditch, a drainage ditch, various pits and a semicircular feature were found. The following sequence is suggested: 1. Prehistoric (Bronze Age?) - a small ditch to the N of the site with sherds and flints (PRN 5169). 2. Romano British - the circular and semicircular feature. Diameter of circular feature at 18m is too large for a house and it may have been a stockade for animals. 3. A double ditched enclosure 21 by 21m. 4. A single ditch and double ditch at right angles to each other cut across the site. The life of the complex was probably quite short. Some possible 1st century pottery and also 2nd to 3rd century pottery was recovered. Also a small quantity of animal bone, burnt clay, burnt stone and one fragment of quern stone. The site appears to have been a poor rural settlement of 2nd to 3rd century date.
3 Part of an extensive cropmark site north of Thelsford Brook. Southern enclosure removed by gravel quarrying. Worked flint found beside trackway.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Avon-Severn Valley Research Project
Author/originator: Gray M
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 4
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Field Survey in the Stratford Area
Author/originator: Hooke D
Date: 1977(?)
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMANS no 10 1967
Author/originator: Gray M
Date: 1967
Page Number: 6
Volume/Sheet: 10
   
Images:  
Plan of a possible Roman settlement, Charlecote
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1996
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source WMANS West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet, a publication that was produced each year, this later became West Midlands Archaeology. The West Midlands Arcaheological News Sheet contains reports about archaeological work that was carried out in the West Midlands region in the previous year. It includes information about sites dating from the Prehistoric to the Post Medieval periods. It was produced the Department of Extramural Studies at Birmingham University. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Field Survey The term ‘field survey’ is used to describe all work that does not disturb archaeological deposits below the ground through an excavation. Field survey techniques involve recording measurements that help archaeologists draw plans or diagrams of archaeological features. There are a variety of different field survey techniques, including geophysical survey, building recording survey, field walking survey, landscape survey and earthwork survey. back
technique Cropmark Cropmarks appear as light and dark marks in growing and ripening crops. These marks relate to differences in the soil below. For example, parched lines of grass may indicate stone walls. Crops that grow over stone features often ripen more quickly and are shorter than the surrounding crop. This is because there is less moisture in the soil where the wall lies.

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technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Prehistoric About 500,000 BC to 42 AD

The Prehistoric period covers all the periods from the Palaeolithic to the end of the Iron Age.
This is a time when people did not write anything down so there is no documentary evidence for archaeologists to look at. Instead, the archaeologists look at the material culture belonging to the people and the places where they lived for clues about their way of life.

The Prehistoric period is divided into the Early Prehistoric and Later Prehistoric.
The Early Prehistoric period covers the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods.
The Later Prehistoric period covers Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age times.
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period Bronze Age About 2500 BC to 700 BC

The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.

The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.

During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
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period Roman About 43 AD to 409 AD (the 1st century AD to the 5th century AD)

The Roman period comes after the Iron Age and before the Saxon period.

The Roman period in Britain began in 43 AD when a Roman commander called Aulus Plautius invaded the south coast, near Kent. There were a series of skirmishes with the native Britons, who were defeated. In the months that followed, more Roman troops arrived and slowly moved westwards and northwards.
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monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument DOUBLE DITCHED ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by two parallel ditches. Use with specific shaped enclosure where known. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE * A rectangular shaped area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier. back
monument PIT * A hole or cavity in the ground, either natural or the result of excavation. Use more specific type where known. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back
monument TRACKWAY * A pathway, not necessarily designed as such, beaten down by the feet of travellers. back
monument DRAINAGE DITCH * A long, narrow ditch designed to carry water away from a waterlogged area. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record