Information for record number MWA13170:
Roman wall/building foundations, 55 High Street, Alcester, Warwickshire

Summary Two large sandstone foundations, likely part of the 4th century defences were found below the passage way between 53 and 55 High Street. The larger foundation was built on wooden piles.
What Is It?  
Type: Town Defences, Town Wall, Tower?
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alcester
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 08 57
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Level of Protection Local
Description

  
Source Number  

1 5.7m wide stone Roman foundation of Arden stone supported on wooden piles (0.12m. diameter) driven into gravel. Part of the 4th century defences. Could be a tower or even a gate tower through the town walls.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Roman Alcester Town Defences, Archaeological Observation of drainage works at HSBC, 55 High street, Alcester, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Gethin B
Date: 2011
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 1108
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: West Midlands Archaeology Vol 54
Author/originator: CBA West Midlands
Date: 2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 54
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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 TOWN WALL * A fortified wall surrounding a town or city. back
monument TOWN DEFENCES * Defensive fortifications such as ramparts, ditches and stone walls, built to defend a town or city. back
monument GATE TOWER * A tower, containing a gate, built into the walls of a town, castle or similar fortification. back
monument PILE * Component: Use wider site type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record