In Area F a level building platform cut into the natural chalk hillside has been investigated. This lies to the East side of the entrance to the ‘banjo’ enclosure. The feature has produced hundreds of finds, albeit not extremely significant as the fill of the feature lacks stratigraphy, yet they have shed light on the fact that this area has significant Roman or even post-Roman activity. It is possible that the finds in the fill of the platform have been part of a dump originating from the remains of the villa complex which is to the east; further excavation should hopefully shed more light on this.
In Area G progress on the Roman building remains has been slow but steady as the complex is very complicated to try and interpret. It currently has three visible phases; the first two phases are of good quality and well built thus easier to interpret whereas the third phase is not as good a quality. The villa consists of a courtyard, in which many late Roman industrial sized ovens and hearths have been discovered, as well as three rooms on one side and one room on the other. A bone pin and a coin have recently been found within the complex and it has been noticed that some Iron Age features lay under the villa complex. Also in this area, a pit has been half excavated in a section and has revealed a quern-stone surrounded by a cow skull and bones, there is also what looks to be a perinatal burial underneath it. A quern-stone is a tool for hand grinding materials such as grain and was discovered by Peter Beebee. Peter is a student from the Open University and is studying an Honour’s degree in History. This is his first dig and he feels like he has learnt a great deal by being on site.
Quernstone in Area G with perinatal burial underneath
In Area H another perinatal burial has been discovered which has unfortunately been damaged due to ploughing. It has been uncovered and lifted today by Zoe Ward, a first year studying Archaeological, Anthropological and Forensic Sciences, and Masters student Outi Salminen who is studying Forensic Osteology. Second year supervisor Patrick Labram who is studying Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology has also been helping out with context forms and labels.
Outi, Patrick and Zoe excavating a perinatal burial
Meanwhile as excavation continues, Harry Manley, the site survey director, has continued to record and map the shapes and positions of all the finished features using the Global Positioning System (GPS). This can be uploaded to a computer instantly enabling planning to occur on site much quicker.
Harry mapping feature outlines with the GPS
Laura Boxell