Information for record number MWA522:
Site of Possible Roman Cemetery, Old Stratford Road, Alcester.

Summary The possible site of a Roman cemetery which is located west of the old Stratford Road. Human burials and cremations were found, as were fragments of pottery, coins, a bronze pin and roof tiles.
What Is It?  
Type: Cemetery, Burial, Cremation
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 Stratford Road, opposite Field 299. White roof tile, rusticated ware and cinerary urn filled with dark grey matter, pin with bronze top, Roman coin, remains of four human bodies, two of which were 18m apart; one skull had part of an iron spear in the top (stratification of these doubtful). The excavations confirm my opinion that the old ford was here and that the River Arrow was diverted when the mill at Oversley was built. Mr Humphreys took piece of spear to have it analysed at Birmingham University. Field 299. Extensive remains, pottery, bones and iron objects (J Brookes).
2 In making turnpike Road to Stratford in a bed of gravel several entire skeletons and coins.
3 Included in Alcester sites list.
4 Noted, information same as
1.
5 Noted by Davis in presentation to the society in 1927.
 
Sources
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WM
Author/originator: PMB
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Roman Alcester
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Goth Edition
Author/originator: Camden
Date: 1806
Page Number: 457
Volume/Sheet: ii
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WM
Author/originator: Seaby W A
Date:
Page Number: No 61
Volume/Sheet: Map and Notes
   
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: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 52
Author/originator:
Date: 1927
Page Number: 303-4
Volume/Sheet: 52
   
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
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 UNIVERSITY * A group of colleges and associated buildings belonging to a university. back
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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument CINERARY URN * Urn containing a cremation. Where component use with wider site type. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument CEMETERY * An area of ground, set apart for the burial of the dead. 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 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