Monument record MLI81842 - A second century Roman stone quarry, Brauncewell Quarry
Summary
A second century Roman stone quarry, Brauncewell Quarry
Type and Period (2)
- STONE QUARRY (Roman - 100 AD to 199 AD)
- EXTRACTIVE PIT (Roman - 100 AD to 199 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
PRN 61817
A geophysical survey and archaeological excavation recorded a complex of irregular, sub-rectangular, multiple-cutting pits, thought to represent a Roman stone quarry. The quarrying had been confined to a central area, suggesting a 'single centralised and organised phase of working', although a few pits were identified north and east of the main focus. Quarrying activity was dated to the 2nd century AD from pottery finds in the backfill of one of the partially excavated pits, but no artefacts associated with quarrying were recovered. It is thought that man/animal power was the main method of stone removal. The stone itself was low quality and most likely used as hardcore for roadbuilding, possibly for Mareham Lane and Ermine Street. Sited as it is, over the triple ditch complex (PRN 61813), the quarry may be seen as a deliberate destruction of the triple-ditched boundary. A large number of burnt patches scattered across the site appear to be related to the quarrying, but exactly what that relationship is is unknown. All the burnt patches are in situ, irregular in shape and depth, ephemeral in appearance, and none of them are lined, as a hearth or firepit would likely be. Their density appears to decrease as their distance from the quarry pits increases. See also PRN 61618.{1}{2}
A large irregular pit (TF 02912 52203) covering an area of approximately 21.5 by 11m was recorded during a programme of strip, map and record carried out in October 2008. The feature lay near the northern edge of the modern quarry. It contained five sherds of pottery dated as late first to second century and was interpreted as possibly representing an abandoned attempt at quarrying. {3}{4}
Sources/Archives (4)
- <1> SLI6871 Report: Oxford Archaeotechnics. Oct 1996. Brauncewell Limestone Quarry.
- <2> SLI6872 Archive: Oxford Archaeotechnics. Oct 1996. Brauncewell Limestone Quarry.
- <3> SLI12498 Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Dec 2008. Brauncewell Quarry: Archaeological Evaluation and Recording. BCQ08.
- <4> SLI12499 Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. Dec 2008. Brauncewell Quarry: Archaeological Evaluation and Recording. LCNCC 2008.8.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TF 0323 5202 (point) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BRAUNCEWELL, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
Feedback?
Your feedback is welcome. If you can provide any new information about this record, please contact us.