Monument record MLI127664 - Possible Roman settlement on land north of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor
Summary
A possible villa or farmstead of Roman date on land off Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby, with associated domestic or industrial activity.
Type and Period (7)
- VILLA ? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- PIT (Roman - 100 AD to 199 AD)
- FARMSTEAD ? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- DITCH (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- INDUSTRIAL SITE ? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- ROBBER TRENCH ? (Roman to Modern - 43 AD? to 2050 AD?)
- CONSTRUCTION TRENCH ? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
A series of linear features and pits identified during archaeological investigation on land to the north of Gonerby Lane, the site is thought to represent a possible Roman villa or farm building with associated domestic or industrial activity. The site lies in an area where previous fieldwalking revealed a large quantity of Roman pottery sherds (MLI85845).
During a geophysical survey conducted in April 2004, a complex of rectilinear anomalies was encountered. These were interpreted as a probable Romano-British farmstead or villa site. Immediately to the east was a group of anomalies interpreted as either building debris or industrial activity. {1}
A geophysical survey undertaken in 2014 (ELI14606) identified a series of linear anomalies forming small rectilinear enclosures, aligned roughly northeast to southwest. These are interpretated as representing a complex of buildings of probable Roman date. Further pit-like anomalies were also identified to the east and south. Evidence of iron working, fired clay and burnt material identified on the surface during the survey suggest this was a zone of industrial activity related to the settlement. {2}
A subsequent programme of trial trenching was conducted on the site in December 2014. A single trench was placed to investigate the possible settlement. Two parallel ditches of Roman date were excavated, both containing large quantities of limestone rubble. These were tentatively interpreted as foundation trenches for a stone building. One of the features had been recut by a later ditch that may have been a robber trench. Roman pottery was recovered from all three features. Between the possible foundation trenches, a large pit measuring at least 3m in diameter was encountered, from which Roman pottery was also recovered. {3}{4}
An archaeological excavation conducted in 2016 investigated two excavation areas within the features identified on the geophysical survey. The southern excavation area revealed a deposit of limestone blocks within the rectilinear features identified on the geophysics, interpreted as footings for a wall, with another deposit directly to the southeast interpreted as either a postpad or intentional infill of a natural hollow to prevent subsidence. An alternative, though less likely, interpretation of both features is that they are the remains of a collapsed wall. Also revealed in this area were a series of waste pits identified in the prior geophysical survey. Several of the pits contained seeds of cabbage, wheat, barley and vetch seeds, as well as charred fragments of spelt and bread wheat seeds, most likely representing domestic waste. Two fragments of iron slag were also recovered, indicating industrial activity in the vicinity. Sherds of Romano-British pottery of 2nd to 4th century date were recovered from these features.
The northern excavation area revealed another series of pits containing traces of ash, as well as fired clay and burnt stone. Pottery of 2nd century date was recovered from features in this area, including a near complete bowl. Charred plant remains were also found. The excavation revealed several potential robber trenches, though the excavating archaeologist conceded that these may have been misinterpreted furrows containing disturbed demolition material. {5}{6}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI19029 Report: Archaeological Services, University of Durham. 2004. A1 Peterborough to Blyth Grade Separated Junctions at Apleyhead, Gonerby Moor and Colsterworth. -.
- <2> SLI18945 Report: Pre-Construct Geophysics. 2014. Archaeological Geophysical Survey: Land North of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor, Lincolnshire. -.
- <3> SLI17222 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2015. Land at Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby: Archaeological Evaluation Report. PCAS Site Code: GONE 14.
- <4> SLI19018 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2014. Land at Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby: Archaeological Evaluation Report. LCNCC: 2014.86.
- <5> SLI18946 Report: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2016. Land to the North of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby: Archaeological Mitigation. PCAS Site Code: GONX15.
- <6> SLI18947 Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2016. Land to the North of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor, Great Gonerby: Archaeological Mitigation. LCNCC: 2015.140.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 8822 3989 (145m by 148m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | GREAT GONERBY, SOUTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (4)
- Event - Intervention: Excavation on land north of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor (ELI14608)
- Event - Survey: Geophysical survey at the A1/B1174 Gonerby Moor Interchange, Great Gonerby (ELI10275)
- Event - Survey: Geophysical survey on land north of Gonerby Lane, Gonerby Moor (ELI14606)
- Event - Intervention: Trial trenching on land north of Gonerby Lane, Great Gonerby (ELI14644)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jul 21 2025 12:06PM
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