Information for record number MWA7968:
Romano-British and Medieval Features at Gramer House

Summary An excavation revealed the remains of a pit, gully and a ditch which all dated to the Roman period. They were situated 150m east of Farm Road, Mancetter. Further fieldwork on the site located more Romano-British pits and gullies, potentially related to military structures.
What Is It?  
Type: Pit, Gully, Ditch
Period: Romano-British (43 AD - 409 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Mancetter
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 96
(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 Archaeological evaluation in the grounds of Gramer House, Mancetter, revealed the remains of two pits, a gully and a ditch of Roman date. All of the features were ephemeral and only a small number of Roman finds were made.
2 Further excavation and a watching brief on the site. A main trench was excavated to the rear of the property and service trenches were monitored. A number of shallow pits and gullies were recorded, possibly relating to military structures. These were associated with a large pit, containing industrial waste, and other more substantial dtiches.A piece of worked stone, possibly from a stone building demolished in the vicinity, was also recovered.The later cuts of the ditch cluster were shown to date from the 3rd to 4th century, much later that the other predominantly 1st-century activity in the area associated with the fort. A substantial ditch, over 7m wide, was also recorded, probably part of the northern defences of the fort.
3 Final report concerning fieldwork carried out in
2. Roman features: these seemed to respect the orientation of the outer defences, reflecting an organised internal layout. Some evidence of industrial activity was recovered from the ditch and pit features. The 3rd to 4th century activity recorded in the ditch cluster, located within the pipe trench, is suggested as reflecting use by farmers or as a small scale military garrison in the later Roman period. Medieval features: a single Medieval sherd was recorded from one of the grave cuts. Disarticulated bone elswhere implies the possibility of more graves in the area.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Archaeological Evaluation at Gramer House, Mancetter
Author/originator: Coutts C
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief at Gramer House, Mancetter
Author/originator: J Milward
Date: 2006
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: West Midlands Archaeology vol 48
Author/originator: S Watt (ed.)
Date: 2005
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 FIELDWORK * A usually temporary earthwork or fortification, the latter constructed by military forces operating in the field. Use more specific type where known. 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 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 FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument GRAVE * A place of burial. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FORT * A permanently occupied position or building designed primarily for defence. back
monument GULLY * A deep gutter, drain or sink. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. 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 DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. 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 STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record