Monument record MLI127497 - Possible Roman settlement activity, Baston
Summary
A possible Roman settlement site has been tentatively interpreted around Starsmore Fields, Baston, based on excavated features.
Type and Period (3)
- PIT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- CORN DRYING OVEN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- BOUNDARY DITCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
A possible Roman settlement site has been tentatively interpreted around Starsmore Fields, Baston. The proximity of the site to a Roman road and the presence of residual Roman material (MLI35066) at nearby excavations had previously suggested settlement activity in the area, but no specific site had been ascertained. Excavations during a programme of trial trenching recorded Roman material in the upper deposits of a boundary ditch, which included the bones of house mice suggestive of nearby settlement. It was noted that Roman material was concentrated around three of the nine trenches excavated, broadly to the immediate east of an area of enhanced dipolar response identified in prior geophysical survey. Given that many features on the site had initial fills of Iron Age material with later fills showing definitively Roman pottery, it is considered likely that settlement moved east following the Iron Age and into the Roman period. {1}{2}{3}{4}
Subsequent archaeological excavations between October and December 2017 revealed a series of pits and ditches of 1st to 3rd century AD date, as well as a group of five hearths, interpreted as corn dryers. Environmental sampling from both the hearths and other features on the site, including probable storage pits, recovered significant quantities of charred and uncharred grain and chaff, as well as burnt straw. Again, the bones of house mice were identified, suggesting the presence of nearby settlement. A relatively large corpus of Roman pottery, mostly local fabrics, was recovered from these features. {5}{6}
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SLI18799 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2016. Archaeological Evaluation on Land Off Chesham Drive, Baston, Lincolnshire. APS Site Code BACD16.
- <2> SLI18800 Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2016. Archaeological Evaluation on Land Off Chesham Drive, Baston, Lincolnshire. LCNCC 2016.122.
- <3> SLI18797 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2016. Chesham Drive Phase 2, Baston, Lincolnshire, Geophysical Survey. APS Site Code BACD15.
- <4> SLI18798 Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2016. Chesham Drive Phase 2, Baston, Lincolnshire, Geophysical Survey. LCNCC 2015.159.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 1165 1374 (110m by 93m) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BASTON, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
May 28 2025 12:39PM
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