Monument record MLI70148 - Roman defences and settlement on Motherby Hill, Lincoln
Summary
Roman defences and settlement on Motherby Hill, Lincoln
Type and Period (7)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
70148
RECENT DEMOLITION AND EXCAVATIONS HAVE REVEALED A WELL PRESERVED PORTION OF THE ROMAN WALL TOGETHER WITH AN INTERVAL TOWER, LATE ROMAN MASONRY PLATFORM AND MEDIEVAL POSTERN GATE. {1} CONSIDERABLE DEMOLITION OF MODERN BUILDINGS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE ROMAN TOWN LAID OPEN THE SITE OF THE ROMAN WALL AND DITCH. FURTHER EXCAVATIONS REVEALED A C4 GATE CONSTRUCTED INTO THE WALL. {2}
Excavations adjacent to Motherby Hill along the Roman defences, and two areas away from the defences, in 1971-72 revealed Roman and later remains. The earliest remains encountered were from the north end of the site (Area III). A gully or slot was recorded beneath the earliest defences, suggesting the presence of a timber building, which may have been contemporary with the early development of the colonia. Much of the Roman layers have probably been destroyed in subsequent development.
The colonia wall runs at a slight angle to Motherby Hill, and was well preserved. It compares well to the remains found to the south at The Park (see 70141). Evidence for a possible building that may have been associated with the construction was also revealed. Above this was a series of rampart layers. It is suggested that there was a time lapse of uncertain length between the construction of the wall and the rampart. The pottery from these contexts suggests a construction date for the rampart not much before c.200AD or later. Therefore the construction of the colonia wall would have been c.175-200AD, which corresponds with evidence from The Park.
An interval tower was subsequently constructed against the inside face of the colonia wall in Area III, to the north of the site, approximately 50m north of a likely Roman gate. The pottery suggests a date no earlier than the late second century, but may have been mid third-early fourth century. The tower was demolished in the late third-mid fourth century. Later, an additional stretch of wall was built against the back of the existing wall to the north of the interval tower. To the south of the tower a section of wall was removed and a large masonry platform of unknown function was inserted into the rampart, behind and overlying the wall. This work was probably carried out at the same time the interval tower was demolished. The colonia wall was widened at about this time. It is thought that a further gateway lies beneath West Parade.
The trenches to the east, away from the city walls produced a series of pits and a gully of probable third-fourth century date. It appears that the area was then levelled and a stone building was built, with an oven against its south side, which possibly had a domestic or commercial function, rather than an industrial one. The oven appears to have later been converted into a furnace, although it was not in use for long, and probably dates to the late fourth century.
The later modifications to the defences which occurred at The Park were not in evidence at Motherby Hill. {3}
A watching brief was undertaken during groundworks on the water mains replacement scheme, around Bailgate, Lincoln. A trench on Motherby Hill uncovered limestone rubble in an unfaced wall. Fragments of Roman tile were also disturbed at the same location. It was assumed that they related to the Roman city defences located in this area. {5} {6}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI4104 Scheduling Record: HBMC. 1971. AM 7. -.
- <2> SLI4053 Scheduling Record: HBMC. 1989. AM 107. SAM 253.
- <3> SLI5400 Bibliographic Reference: Colyer, C., Gilmour, B.J.J. and Jones, M.J.. 1999. The Defences of the Lower City. pp.185-249.
- <4> SLI3134 Index: SMR file cards for Lincoln. LINCOLN. SK9771NW:E,N.
- <5> SLI9863 Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Dec 2003. Watching brief on water mains replacement scheme, Westgate, Lincoln. LWMR02.
- <6> SLI9864 Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Dec 2003. Watching brief on water mains replacement scheme, Westgate, Lincoln. LCNCC 2002.235.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 9736 7158 (72m by 116m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | CARHOLME, LINCOLN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (2)
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Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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