Information for record number MWA4469:
Site of Roman Settlement at Tiddington, Tiddington Road, Stratford

Summary The site of a small Roman Town which was centered around the Reading Court at Tiddington. Excavations have revealed occupation debris, indicating timber buildings and a cemetery was present on the western edge of the settlement.
What Is It?  
Type: Town, Tile Kiln, Furnace, Cistern, Town Ditch, Timber Framed Building, Building, Road, Cemetery, Inhumation, Cremation, Ditch, Gully
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Stratford upon Avon
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 21 55
(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: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 Situated on the edge of a gravel terrace on the southeast side of the River Avon. It appears to be a roadside settlement on a road running along the South bank of the Avon. Chance finds have been made since the 18th century. First century AD occupation evidence has been found over about eight hectares. Six late Iron Age coins have been found (three Dobunnic, two Coritanian, one uncertain), also Roman Republican, Pre-Claudian, Claudian and Neronian. The site probably has a civilian origin, possibly in the late Iron Age. A 4th century ditch is known on the south and East and a cemetery (PRN 1014) marks the Western extent. The enclosed area was probably a rough rectangle about 22 hectares in extent. Property divisions probably ran back at a right angle to the road. The majority of buildings were timber and only two stone-walled buildings are known. The site is a 'village' rather than 'small town'. buildings stood singly or in small groups on their own plots. There were probably always open areas. Economy was based on mixed farming and small-scale industry.
4 Evaluation by Oxford Archaeological Unit revealed ditches and a larger ditch that may form part of the north-eastern enclosure of the Roman settlement.
5 A magnetometer survey of land east of no. 85 Tiddington road (Dunstall Field) was undertaken. Definite features were found near to the road. These may represent ditches or enclosures in various orientations. They could be a continuation of a Romano-British field system. It was not possible for the survey to distinguish any possible graves. Possible pits and ridge and furrow remains were also identified across the site.
6 Further to
4, an excavation and subsequent watching brief revealed 1st and 2nd century gullies and a ditch were recorded, peripheral to the settlement previously excavated. See MWA9920 for further details.
7 A Romano-British Industrial settlement excavated 1925-27. The settlement comprised (a) Tile kiln and adjuncts. (b) Water cistern. (c) Washing tank (d) Drying floor with fire-hole and flues (e) Ore roasting and iron smelting furnace (f) Lead smelting and de-silvering cupels (g) Ovens with fire holes and cupola. Finds included coins (106 in all Claudius 1 - Honorious). Pottery (Inc. Samian and pseudo Samian). 54 iron objects. Lead billetts and lead plate. 19 bronze objects. A "Late Celtic" fibula. A Kimmeridge shale ring and a glass bottle. Evidence indicates a prolonged occupation which may have survived the Roman withdrawal. (1) There are no surface indications of this settlement. (2) SP 219 557: excavations at Tiddington, circa 1981 to the south-east of the area previously excavated, have shown the settlement to be bounded by a large ditch within which lie stone and timber buildings occupied from the 2nd - 4th centuries. Inhumation burials and Field ditches have been found outside, together with rubbish pits and wells along a trackway heading south-east. The settlement began in the 1st century AD, probably on a road running along the south bank of the Avon. The built-up area expanded southwards in the 2nd century when a trackway to the east was laid out. In the 4th century the settlement was re-planned and surrounded by an irregular defensive ditch. Trial excavations on a second site within the settlement immediately to the north of the road, SP 2165 5565, encountered further 1st century occupation. (3-4) (excavations in the south eastern corner of the Roman town have produced concentrations of Iron Age features. Previous investigations have produced Iron Age material over a wide area. (See SP 25 NW 11, SP 25 NW 12), It is suggested that finds of this period may represent a series of scattered farmsteads.) Possible Roman Small town. Scattered Iron Age farmsteads replaced by a more concentrated Romano British settlement in the Ist century AD probably continuing into the 5th century. The Roman settlement has a strong Industrial component with a tile kiln, a water cistern, a washing tank, ore roasting and iron smelting furnaces. Evidence of lead smelting.
8 This monument, which falls into two areas, includes part of a Roman small town situated on a gravel terrace just above the southern floodplain of the River Avon. The small town survives as entirely buried structures, layers and deposits which have been confirmed through the discovery of chance finds from the 18th century onwards, partial excavations from 1925-7 and in 1981 and in part the town is also visible as crop and soil marks on aerial photographs. The settlement began as a series of scattered Iron Age farmsteads which were replaced by a more concentrated settlement in the 1st century AD which covered approximately eight hectares and appeared to be based on a strong Industrial component which included tile kilns, iron and lead smelting and featured roasting and smelting furnaces, a water cistern and washing tank. As the settlement increased its economic basis was more biased towards agriculture. The settlement was built beside a road and close to a natural crossing point on the River Avon and continued in occupation until the 5th century. During the 4th century a defensive and roughly rectangular outer ditch was constructed which has been partly excavated on the south and eastern sides and this surrounded an area of approximately 22 hectares. Timber built buildings and roads are known to the north but only two stone built buildings have so far been investigated. On the western side was a large cemetery and from 1923-4 220 graves were excavated. These graves included those of men, women and children. Twelve more have been investigated subsequently. The cemetery contained mainly Inhumations with some cremations.
 
Sources
Source No: 7
Source Type: Digital Data
Title: National Record for the Historic Environment (NRHE) also known as AMIE, formerly known as NMR
Author/originator: Historic England
Date: 2014-2016
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Excavations of a Roman Settlement at 121 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
Author/originator: Biddulph, E
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Excavations of a Roman Settlement at 121 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
Author/originator: Biddulph, E
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: 121 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire: Archaeological Evaluation Report
Author/originator: D Thomason
Date: 2001
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Evaluation Report
Title: 107 Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon Archaeological Evaluation Report
Author/originator: Sims, M.
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Land North of Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Report on Archaeological Geophysical Survey 2012
Author/originator: Prince F & Oatley C
Date: 2012
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 24
Author/originator: NJP
Date: 1981
Page Number: 17-24
Volume/Sheet: 24
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: WMA vol 26 (1983)
Author/originator: Carver, M O H (ed)
Date: 1984
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 26
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Roman Settlement, Tiddington
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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source WMA West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Geophysical Survey The measuring and recording of electrical resistivity or magnetism in order to determine the existence and outline of buried features such as walls and ditches. Geophysical techniques include resistivity survey, magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar. View Image back
technique Magnetometer Survey A magnetometer survey measures the earth's magnetic field and the effects that structures in the ground may have on it. For example, walls, pits and trenches might display different levels of magnetism than the surrounding ground. These differences can affect the readings taken during the survey. Once the readings have been recorded they are plotted out to produce a plan of features that exist below the ground. See also geophysical survey. back
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 Iron Age About 800 BC to 43 AD

The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
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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 CREMATION * A funeral rite in which the human body is burnt, usually on a pyre, leaving fragmentary charred or completely combusted remains. Often found buried, occasionally in a container associated with grave goods. back
monument LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
monument VILLAGE * A collection of dwelling-houses and other buildings, usually larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a simpler organisation and administration than the latter. back
monument CISTERN * A covered tank in which rainwater is stored for use when required. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. back
monument OVEN * A brick, stone or iron receptacle for baking bread or other food in. back
monument KILN * A furnace or oven for burning, baking or drying. Use specific type 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 RUBBISH PIT * A pit where domestic waste material is deposited. back
monument RIDGE AND FURROW * A series of long, raised ridges separated by ditches used to prepare the ground for arable cultivation. This was a technique, characteristic of the medieval period. back
monument INHUMATION * An interment of unburnt, articulated human remains. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FLUE * A passageway, duct or pipe use for the conveyance of heat, gasses, smoke or air. back
monument TOWN DITCH * A ditch constructed to surround a town for defensive purposes. back
monument GRAVE * A place of burial. Use more specific type where known. back
monument GULLY * A deep gutter, drain or sink. back
monument FARMSTEAD * The homestead of a farm consisting of a farmhouse and working farm buildings, with yards, other working areas and usually a garden to the house. back
monument FURNACE * A chamber in which minerals, metals, etc, are subjected to the continuous action of intense heat. Use specific type where known. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. 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 WELL * A shaft or pit dug in the ground over a supply of spring-water. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument FIELD SYSTEM * A group or complex of fields which appear to form a coherent whole. Use more 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 CEMETERY * An area of ground, set apart for the burial of the dead. back
monument TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING * A building constructed with a basic timber framework; between the members are panels which can be infilled with timber, wattle and daub, plaster, brick or other materials. 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 BURIAL * An interment of human or animal remains. Use specific type where known. If component use with wider site type. Use FUNERARY SITE for optimum retrieval in searches. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument TRACKWAY * A pathway, not necessarily designed as such, beaten down by the feet of travellers. back
monument TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back
monument TANK * Armoured military vehicle with its own firepower, which operates on tracks for troop mobility over rough terrain. Some may be adapted, or purpose-built, to be amphibious, and may then be double-indexed as AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE. back
monument TILE KILN * A structure in which pottery tiles were baked. back
monument TERRACE * A row of houses attached to and adjoining one another and planned and built as one unit. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record