Information for record number MWA4899:
Roman settlement

Summary The remains of a Roman building were found during archaeological work in Bleachfield Street, Alcester. Roman pottery and coins were also found at this site.
What Is It?  
Type: Settlement, Building, Findspot
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 1985: a hole was dug in the back garden of a house on Bleachfield Street to see what could be found. Pottery from this hole was examined and was of C1-C2 date. In 1986 another hole was dug. This 'excavation' revealed traces of stone walled buildings. Finds included Roman and later (PRN 5599) pottery, bones and coins.
2 Section drawing held in archive.
3 The stone walls were probably Roman in date.
4 An archaeological observation carried out at Bleachfield Street in May 1995 did not uncover any Roman features and only a single fragment of Roman tile was recovered.
5 A watching brief during the construction of a rear extension to 18 Bleachfield Street recovered Roman pottery including a large amphora fragment and two sherds of rusticated grey ware (probably dating to the early 2nd century). A copper alloy fragment may have been a section of Roman scale armour (or a medieval strap end). Unfortunately the excavation and concrete filling of the foundation trenches was not observed, however, the finds recovered indicated that they must have dug through one or more archaeological layers or features of Roman date.
 
Sources
Source No: 4
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Arch Obs at 18 Bleachfield St
Author/originator: Gethin, B
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Section
Title: Bleachfield Street, Alcester
Author/originator: WM
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Roman Alcester
Author/originator: Cracknell S
Date: 1989
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Archaeological Watching Brief at 18 Bleachfield Street, Alcester, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Jones R & Gethin B
Date: 2002
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Watching Brief Report, Bleachfield Street, Alcester.
Author/originator: SC
Date: 1986
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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monument LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument SETTLEMENT * A small concentration of dwellings. 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 ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument BLEACHFIELD * Large field or yard used to lay fabrics out ready for bleaching. 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 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