Information for record number MWA477:
Romano-British stone building, Meeting Lane, Alcester.

Summary Various finds, including painted wall plaster, tesserae and tiles, suggest that this was the site of a Roman building. Roman pottery and coins were also found at this site, located in Meeting Lane, Alcester.
What Is It?  
Type: Building, Findspot
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Alcester
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 09 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 In Meeting Lane were recorded a floor of 'concrete' at a depth of 1.2m and some slightly decorated plaster. Below this were walls and at a depth of 1.5m a stone floor. Below this was a course of black burnt material of pre-Roman date (PRN 5495). Roman finds include a coin of Trajan, much Roman pottery, tesserae and tiles.
2 Excavation in August and December 1926. More coloured plaster, some tesserae, together with a quantity of black pottery. A Roman coin was also dug up which may be of the time of Allectus. The trenches here were over 12m in length and varied in depth from 1.1m to 1.7m. The whole area of these diggings revealed a concrete floor about 0.15m thick. A large quantity of stones, broken tile, plaster etc were found, and the general indications were that a large building had once stood there.
3 Exact site uncertain.
4 Further details from Seaby's notes seem to confirm that this is different from MWA476; the site is recorded from 'Mr Parson's garden at end of Meeting Lane'. 'Three opus signium floors, below them flint scraper and some other objects' (Threlfall after Davis). Suggest more Excavation during 1927, including 'tesserae found loose and nearer the surface 1927' (Chatwin's notes on OS 25" map).
5 Description of Excavations in J. Parson's gardens and 'in another garden over the hedge' (entries: 28/07; 04/09; 21, 28/11; 5, 19/12 1926;)
 
Sources
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Alcester Notes
Author/originator: W A Seaby
Date: 1954
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Diary
Author/originator: Davis B
Date:
Page Number: 1927-8
Volume/Sheet: Diary
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Index of Alcester sites compiled c.1983 and typescript of a state of knowledge document for Alcester
Author/originator: Booth P M
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Roman Alcester
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: WM
Author/originator: Seaby W A
Date:
Page Number: 44
Volume/Sheet: Map and Notes
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 52
Author/originator:
Date: 1927
Page Number: 303-4
Volume/Sheet: 52
   
Images:  
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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
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 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 FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument TRENCH * An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both. back
monument GARDEN * An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known. back
monument HEDGE * Usually a row of bushes or small trees planted closely together to form a boundary between pieces of land or at the sides of a road. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record