Monument record MLI20285 - Roman Saltern, Willow Tree Farm
Summary
Remains of a Roman saltern at Willow Tree Farm.
Type and Period (3)
- SALT WORKS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- ARTEFACT SCATTER (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
- SALTERN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
The remains of a Roman saltern on the side of a roddon. {1}
The remains of the saltern were identified as a series of strong magnetic anomalies, during a magnetometry survey conducted in January 2010, on land at Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas. The form of the anomalies suggested the saltern had a central hearth, and was partially surrounded by an enclosing ditch, with several possible secondary hearths or tanks to the immediate south-west.
Subsequent fieldwalking on the site recovered a large quantity of Roman material, concentrated around the saltern site. The assemblage included a large quantity of pottery from a wide range of vessels and fabrics, a large quantity of briquetage, and a small quantity of animal bone, mostly from the larger mammals (cattle and horse). Whilst the majority of the recovered material was of Roman date, some artefacts could possibly date to the late Iron Age, suggesting the saltern may possibly have been in use prior to Roman occupation of this area. {2}{3}
This saltern complex was the focus of targeted excavation in 2011, prior to the re-wetting of the surrounding land. This excavation revealed numerous deposits of dumped material, and several drainage features and associated settling tanks used in the saltmaking process. No hearths were discovered however, and it is believed that these were located on slightly higher ground, and have been lost to later ploughing activity. A considerable quantity of briquetage was recovered from the excavation, along with 1st to 2nd century pottery and two bone hair pins. It is thought that the saltern was in operation during the 1st century and into the mid 2nd century, after which the site appears to have been incorporated into the local field system. {4}{5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI1079 Bibliographic Reference: Hayes, P. P. and Lane, T. W.. 1992. The Fenland Project No.5: Lincolnshire Survey, the South-West Fens. DSN2.
- <2> SLI14576 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2010. Pinchbeck Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas. APS site code: DNWT10.
- <3> SLI14577 Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2010. Pinchbeck Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas. LCNCC 2009.148.
- <4> SLI14580 Report: Archaeological Project Services. 2013. Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas. APS site code: WTCE 11.
- <5> SLI14581 Archive: Archaeological Project Services. 2013. Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas. LCNCC 2011.339.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 1772 2208 (35m by 30m) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | DEEPING ST NICHOLAS, SOUTH HOLLAND, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (4)
- Event - Survey: Fenland Survey Field Walking (ELI595)
- Event - Survey: Fieldwalking, Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas (ELI11975)
- Event - Survey: Geophysical Survey, Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas (ELI11974)
- Event - Intervention: Willow Tree Farm, Deeping St Nicholas (ELI11978)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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