Information for record number MWA5491:
Excavation of Roman Buildings, Bleachfield Street

Summary Several Roman buildings were excavated in Bleachfield Street, Alcester. They were indicated by post holes, timber slots, cobbled surfaces and drains. Roman pottery, animal bone and the finger of a bronze statue were also found during the excavation.
What Is It?  
Type: Building, Post Hole, Drain, Feature
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 Excavations of the N part of the site previously excavated in 1969 (PRN 500) in 1972-3. The earliest features were sleeper-beam trenches forming a right angle. The whole area was then covered by a layer of cobbling upon part of which was constructed a timber building on small sleeper beams. Only one corner of this building lay within the area excavated. This building was destroyed by fire. The area N and W of the building was resurfaced with cobbling on a number of occasions in the C2. On the W of the site the cobbling was disturbed and a number of post pits occurred, possibly forming a building. Two successive drains post-dated the building and were sealed by cobbling. Throughout the C3 large quantities of soil and cattle bone built up and this deposit was sealed by a layer of cobbling upon which were a number of coins of Carausius, sealed by a layer of sandstone. In the SW corner of the trench was the robbed wall trench of a substantial building. Part of a mortar floor was uncovered. One important find was the finger from a life-sized bronze statue.
2 Described as site no 44 in list.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WM
Author/originator: Booth P
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Roman Alcester
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Excavations in the Bleachfield Street, Alcester, 1972,3 (SP088572)
Author/originator: Taylor, S J
Date: 1973
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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 LAYER * An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features. 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 FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument DRAIN * An artificial channel for draining water or carrying it off. 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 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 WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument POST HOLE * A hole dug to provide a firm base for an upright post, often with stone packing. Use broader monument type where known. back
monument STATUE * A representation in the round of a living being, allegorical personage, eminent person or animal, etc, sculptured, moulded or cast in marble, metal, plaster, etc. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record