Site of Roman Settlement at Tiddington

1 Situated on the edge of a gravel terrace on the SE side of the River Avon. It appears to be a roadside settlement on a road running along the S bank of the Avon. Chance finds have been made since the 18th century. 1st century AD occupation evidence has been found over about 8 ha. Six late Iron Age coins have been found (three Dobunnic, two Coritanian, one uncertain), also Roman Republican, Pre-Claudian, Claudian and Neronian. The site probably has a civilian origin, possibly in the late Iron Age. A 4th century ditch is known on the S and E and a cemetery (PRN 1014) marks the W extent. The enclosed area was probably a rough rectangle about 22 ha in extent. Property divisions probably ran back at a right angle to the road. The majority of buildings were timber and only two stone-walled buildings are known. The site is a ‘village’ rather than ‘small town’. Buildings stood singly or in small groups on their own plots. There were probably always open areas. Economy was based on mixed farming and small-scale industry.
3 Scheduling information.
4 Evaluation by Oxford Archaeological Unit revealed ditches and a larger ditch that may form part of the north-eastern enclosure of the Roman settlement.
5 A magnetometer survey of land east of no. 85 Tiddington Road (Dunstall Field) was undertaken. Definite features were found near to the road. These may represent ditches or enclosures in various orientations. They could be a continuation of a Romano-British field system. It was not possible for the survey to distinguish any possible graves. Possible pits and ridge and furrow remains were also identified across the site.
6 Further to 4, an excavation and subsequent watching brief revealed 1st and 2nd century gullies and a ditch were recorded, peripheral to the settlement previously excavated. See MWA9920 for further details.