Monument record 7339/0/1 - Roman double ditched enclosure with large timber-framed building and clay and timber-lined holding tank

Rectangular enclosure containing a timber-framed building with large stone post settingsand timber and clay-lined holding tank, periodically drained into the ditch system. Constructed in the late 1st century AD

{1} Positive linear anomalies within the central part of the survey area are poorly defined and may form a rectilinear feature. An archaeological origin should be considered, although it cannot be confidently determined from the morphology of the anomalies. It is possible that the linear elements forming the group are disturbed or truncated by agricultural activity which may indicate an early origin.

{2} Ditch 607 was encountered within the northern section of Trench 6 on a broadly east-west alignment. Its primary fill was derived from weathering and erosion of the ditch sides. Its secondary fill was likely to have been formed by stagnant or standing water. The secondary fill contained two sherds of C13th to C14th pottery together with 11 residual Roman sherds, 3 animal bone fragments and 80 oyster shell fragments.
A shallow undated gully lay in close proximity to the north of the ditch on a parallel alignment.
The ditch may have been associated with monuments 5995/0/5 and 5995/0/7 as part of a rectilinear field system.

{3} The ditches considered to be medieval in the evaluation were actually part of a double-ditched enclosure. The enclosure comprised a pair of concentric ditches, clearly evident on the north and
west sides, and partially surviving on the east side. It is unclear whether these were contemporary or whether one was later Roman than the other. The southern boundary of the enclosure lay beyond the extent of the excavation. The enclosure was roughly aligned east to west, with internal dimensions c42m long by over 28m wide. The distance between the inner ditch and its outer counterpart was 4.5m on the west side, 3.5m on the north side and 3m on the east side. The enclosure ditches drained off to the north, towards the river, from the lowest point of the enclosure, in its north-east corner.

A substantial timber-framed rectangular building, 20m long by 8m wide, lay within the enclosure, which comprised 27 post settings. Those on the north side were more substantial. The four posts that formed a second row on the north side indicated a probable portico, and these post settings were
comparable to the smaller examples along the south side, but were of a level of preservation consistent with the examples on the north side. This in turn suggests that the structure was designed to bear a fairly heavy load or serve a function that required a strong frame for hanging, drying or storing materials. The distinct absence of a hearth, or other features of a domestic character, is probably indicative that this was either an agricultural or craft structure. A craft or light industrial process appeared likely with the discovery and excavation of a timber and clay-lined holding tank beneath the portico.

Inside the enclosure a short length of ditch formed a substantial channel between a timber and clay-lined holding tank, and the north side of the inner ditch. This connecting channel was the most substantial ditch within Area 2 and was designed to carry fluids rapidly from the tank directly into the drainage system, as demonstrated by the topographic levels. the timber and clay-lined holding tank was 4.1m long by 3.8m wide by 0.8m deep. The tank had steep, near vertical sides and a broad flat base that cut the natural clay.

The complete perimeter within the tank was lined with light bluish-grey clay with occasional limestone fragments or flecks, 0.15-0.20m thick against the tank wall to its full depth. The base was not clay-lined. Cutting the base of the tank were four beam slots, estimated at 2.6m long by 0.18m wide by 0.04-6m deep, which extended across the internal width of the tank on a north-east to south-west alignment. The beam slots did not extend beneath the clay lining, which must have gone into the tank first. Along the edge of the clay lining, around its full excavated extent, were nine circular postholes, each with a pointed base. The likely purpose of the beam slots and postholes was to support and retain a timber lining within the holding tank. The beam slots would have provided the joists for a level wooden platform across the base, and the postholes would have revetted the vertical timber sides. Suggested hypotheses for the use of the tank include processing for tanning, fulling and brewing or perhaps simply as a water cistern.

Certain characteristics of the pottery assemblage may be relevant to this interpretation. With the exception of the flagons, the assemblage contains very little in the way of fine wares, or vessel types indicative of domestic activity. The large number of flagons, assuming they are derived from activities associated with the building and the tank (perhaps in a midden), certainly suggest the handling of liquids. The lid seated jars might indicate activity requiring vessels which could be sealed, while the rilled surfaces would also have aided the handling of liquids. The limescale which appears to have seeped into the fabric of one jar, apparently causing it to shatter, could have been caused by a caustic liquid such as beer or urine. Finally, it is noticeable that some of the vessel fabrics, especially the grogged wares, are harder than is usually the case, perhaps to assist in the transfer of such caustic fluids.

<1> Sabin, D. & Donaldson, K., 2010, Belle Baulk, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Magnetometer Survey Report, pp.9,10 (checked) (Report). SNN107330.

<2> Havard T., 2010, Belle Baulk, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation, p.10 (checked) (Report). SNN108051.

<3> Brown J., 2012, Archaeological Excavations at Belle Baulk, Towcester, Northamptonshire July 2013 (revision) (Report). SNN109084.

Record last edited

Oct 4 2016 11:21AM