Information for record number MWA4520:
Chesterton Camp. Excavation 1966

Summary The archaeological excavation of the north west corner of the Roman Camp at Chesterton. The remains of a rampart and ditch were found. These were followed in the first half of the fourth century by a stone wall, ditches and counterscarp.
What Is It?  
Type: Defence, Ditch, Wall, Bank (Earthwork)
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Chesterton and Kingston
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 59
(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
Description

  
Source Number  

1 In July 1966 earth-moving equipment was noted at Chesterton Camp and it was discovered that the farmer had received permission from MPBW to plough the site.
2 Ten weeks were spent excavating part of the NW corner of the camp to assess the damage that ploughing was likely to cause. A section was cut across the defences revealing an early system of turf banks and ditch, or possibly ditches, which was replaced in the first half of the 4th century by a stone wall, two ditches and counterscarp. There was no sign of either bastion or internal tower at the corner of the wall.
3 No dateable material came from the first rampart phase. The wall of the second phase was 3.3m wide, faced with lias slabs, with gravel footings and presumbably a gravel core. It cut through the back of the Phase 1 turf bank. Traces of mini ridge and furrow were found pre-dating the counterscarp bank.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Chesterton Camp
Author/originator: Webster G
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Chesterton on Fosse
Author/originator: Taylor S
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: WMANS
Author/originator: Taylor S
Date: 1967
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 10
   
Images:  
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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 Earthwork Earthworks can take the form of banks, ditches and mounds. They are usually created for a specific purpose. A bank, for example, might be the remains of a boundary between two or more fields. Some earthworks may be all that remains of a collapsed building, for example, the grassed-over remains of building foundations.

In the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky than during the other seasons, earthworks have larger shadows. From the air, archaeologists are able to see the patterns of the earthworks more easily. Earthworks can sometimes be confusing when viewed at ground level, but from above, the general plan is much clearer.

Archaeologists often carry out an aerial survey or an earthwork survey to help them understand the lumps and bumps they can see on the ground.
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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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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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. 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 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 RAMPART * A protective earthen mound, often the main defence of a fortification. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument BASTION * A flanking tower, or projection from the main walls of a defensive work from which a garrison can defend the ground in front or on the flank. 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 SIGN * A board, wall painting or other structure displaying advice, giving information or directions back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument EARTHWORK * A bank or mound of earth used as a rampart or fortification. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record