Monument record 725/1/16 - Undated Road, probably the Alchester Road

An undated road was found on the predicted alignment of the Alchester Road during trial trench evlaution

{1}The desktop study showed that the former Roman road to Alchester was likely to pass through the site, and this was subsequently confirmed by excavation which identified substantial metalling and roadside ditches.The northern part of the trench located the edge of the Alchester Road, exactly upon its predicted line. The upper levels of the road were partly excavated to reveal two metalled surfaces separated by a layer of sand.The earliest surface was of compacted small gravel pieces and retained a camber which sloped at an angle of 20' from horizontal. A ditch (13) may have bordered the road. This ditch had 20sherds of early to mid 2nd century pottery.The later road comprised large rounded cobbles and smaller pebbles. 18th century pottery and clay tobacco-pipe stems were found on the surface implying that the road was exposed at same time in the post-medieval period. A small ditch (10) which cut the earlier surface may have been contemporary with the latter road. 6 sherds of mid-late century pottery.,

{2}Former road to Alchester was uncovered-substantial metalling and roadside ditches. A single posthole and earthen layers of Roman date were also found but the excavation was too small to identify structures along the street frontage.

<1> Parry S., 1995, An Archaeological Evaluation of Land Adjacent to 15A Park Street, Towcester, (unchecked) (Report). SNN40450.

<2> WEBSTER M.; ATKINS R., 1996, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter, 39 (Notes). SNN40092.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2017 12:29PM