Monument record MLI127398 - Northeastern corner of Roman defences, Ancaster
Summary
The remains of a bank and ditch to the east of Ermine Street, forming the northeast corner of the defences of the Roman town.
Type and Period (2)
- RAMPART (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- TOWN DITCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
A programme of trial trenching and geophysical survey conducted in early 2004 revealed the extent of the ditch and embankment defences of the Roman town of Ancaster. The extant earthworks comprised a roughly 2.5m drop in the ground level from the south and west towards the north and east. The geophysical survey results plotted the location of the infilled base of the ditch, clearly defining the northeast corner of the defences of the Roman town. Subsequent trenching encountered a (probably modern in origin) deep loamy soil infill, which produced Roman and post-Roman pottery as well as modern material including brick and bottle glass. {1}{2}
During a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording on the groundworks for a new doctor's surgery in 2006, the remains of a part of the Roman town defences were revealed. The embankment had been levelled and the ditch partially infilled, and a mix of Roman demolition debris (likely from the neighbouring building, MLI127395) and more recent material including 20th century pottery was recovered from the backfill. {3}{4}
The 1st Edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey map clearly depicts the eastern ditch, which appears to fade out as it reaches the northeastern corner, where the land is divided into a number of paddocks. The northern return of the ditch is not depicted and appears to have been completely infilled by this time. {5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI10742 Report: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. An Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation at 5 Paddock Close, Ancaster. -.
- <2> SLI10743 Archive: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. An Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation at 5 Paddock Close, Ancaster. LCNCC: 2004.13.
- <3> SLI18591 Report: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2006. An Archaeological Watching Brief at Ancaster Roman Town. NA Site Code: ANC06.
- <4> SLI18592 Archive: Northamptonshire Archaeology. 2004. An Archaeological Watching Brief at Ancaster Roman Town. LCNCC: 2004.13.
- <5> SLI10020 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1886-1891. 25 Inch County Series Map - First Edition. 1:2500. SK 94 SE.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 9845 4365 (67m by 48m) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | ANCASTER, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Dec 4 2024 12:25PM
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