Monument record 3505/0/7 - Site of Roman vineyard, Wollaston

A vineyard of considerable size, covering an area of at least 11ha, was identified during archaeological excavation. It comprised rows of parallel trenches with vertical sides and flat bases. Palynological studies have found small quantities of Vitis (grapevine) pollen in the trench fills. The vineyard trenches are no earlier than the 2nd century AD and are unlikely to extend into the 4th century AD.

{1} Trial excavation in 1990 by D.Jackson. An extensive series of parallel trenches in Fields 3 and 4 are probably pre-medieval in date, and may be lazy beds.

{3} Excavated during wider archaeological invetigation ahead of quarrying at Wollaston. At the northern end of the initial quarry (Wollaston I, centred on NGR SP 4898 2646), an area of 7.5 ha of parallel trenches 5 m apart had been identified in the evaluation. The steep-sided and flat-bottomed trenches were on average 0.85 m wide and 0.3 m deep and were of uncertain function. Various possibilities were rehearsed, including open drainage or irrigation channels. Careful hand excavation of a sample of these trenches recovered stake or post holes along both sides, set into infill deposits. The spacing of the posts was irregular and probably reflected their renewal and placement over an extended period. The presence of these posts indicates a crop requiring support, with the plant itself represented by root balls about 1.5 m apart, centre to centre. The dimensions, vertical sides and flat bottoms of the trenches are characteristic of pastinatio trenches found in vineyards. The trenches at Wollaston I can be no earlier than the 2nd century AD and are unlikely to extend into the 4th century AD. Palynological study of samples from cultivation trenches at Wollaston identified Vitis pollen in small quantities.

{6} Enclosure, ditches and pit alignments, (SP 899644), on gravel at 46m above OD. Air photographs show a large sub-rectangular enclosure with associated linear ditches. On the E. one of the ditches intersects a pit alignment.

Wiseman, R, Brewer, E, Luxford, R, Losh, J, Roberts, M, Jackson-Slater, C, & Boulton, A, 2020, Archaeology on Furlough: Roman Planting Trenches in the East of England (Report). SNN116499.

<1> JACKSON D., 1992, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49494.

<2> Jackson D.A., 1990, An Archaeological Evaluation at Wollaston for Pioneer Aggregates Ltd. (U.K.) (Report). SNN70063.

<3> Brown A.G.; Meadows I.; Turner S.D.; Mattingly D.J., 2001, Roman Vineyards in Britain: Stratigraphic & Palynological Data from Wollaston in The Nene Valley, England (Article). SNN103331.

<4> Northamptonshire Archaeology & University of Exeter, 2009, Nene Valley: Archaeological and Environmental Synthesis (Digital archive). SNN111339.

<5> Meadows, I, 1996, Wollaston, The Nene Valley: A British Moselle? (Article). SNN74024.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, Page 176 (Series). SNN77380.

<7> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs, CUAP ZE 74 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

Record last edited

Jul 23 2024 1:04PM