Information for record number MWA459:
Roman building & ditches, Alcester.

Summary The possible remains of a Roman building were found during an excavation. Three Roman ditches and a cremation burial were also found at this site, which is situated east of Priory Road, Alcester.
What Is It?  
Type: Building, Ditch, Burial
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alcester
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 08 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
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Observation of the foundation trench for a conservatory in 1977 revealed a cobbled surface and pottery finds indicating intensive occupation this far N of the town centre, from the C2. This was recorded by D Ford for the Alcester Excavation Committee.
2 A watching brief and salvage recording by P Booth in 1981 revealed three ditches (two apparently Roman, one undated), and an isolated cremation burial, probably of 'casket' type and with a coin of Vespasian (AD72). The bones are very incomplete and probably those of an adolescent of less than sixteen years.
4 Noted in list of Alcester sites.
5 Bone report presumably relating to
2 above.
 
Sources

Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WM
Author/originator: Booth P
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Roman Alcester
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: WMANS no 20
Author/originator:
Date: 1977
Page Number: 69
Volume/Sheet: 20
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 92 (1982)
Author/originator: Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeology Society
Date: 1988
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 92
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 92 (1982)
Author/originator: Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeology Society
Date: 1988
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 92
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The cremated bone from pit F3, 79 Priory Road, Alcester, Warwicks
Author/originator: Stirland, A
Date: nd
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Report on observation at 79, priory Road, Alcester (Mr W R Bowen)
Author/originator: Ford, D
Date: 1977
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WM Warwickshire Museum Aerial Photograph Collection. A collection of oblique and vertical aerial photographs and taken by various organisations and individuals, including the Royal Airforce, The Potato Board, Warwickshire Museum. The collection is held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
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 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 CONSERVATORY * A glasshouse used to grow and display tender decorative plants. May be either an extension to a house or freestanding. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument CREMATION BURIAL * The site of the formal burial of cremated bone, sometimes 'urned' in a vessel or casket of glass, wood or, more commonly, ceramic. 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 PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. 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 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 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 TOWN * An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government. back
monument FORD * A shallow place in a river or other stretch of water, where people, animals and vehicles may cross. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record