Alcester Roman Settlement: Explosion Site

1 1976: An area of 11 x 17m was excavated in advance of redevelopment. 1m of Post Medieval material sealed the site. Medieval buildings (PRN 5490) impinged on the latest of a series of Roman buildings. The evidence for this was a spread of closely-packed sandstone rubble with a NE edge probably originally retained by a timber. Only part of the building was uncovered. A variety of pits were found at the N of the building. Immediately under the limestone spread was a row of three large post holes with two slighter post holes to the S. No floor deposits survived. Traces of a further building sealed the earliest building on the site, which was only partly uncovered but was a fairly substantial stone structure. Traces of a number of floor layers survived and one produced a coin of Licinius (307-24). The building was cut by a pit which contained mid to late 4th century pottery. The latest coins were of Gratian and Valentinian II. Traces of a possible late road were found at the E of the site.
2 1977: Further excavation including a 7 x 3m extension. Further details of the above buildings were distinguished. Most of the later deposits in this area had been destroyed. Pits of C1 to C2 date were discovered. A well was cut by the earliest building. The earliest building was set on a pebble surface and excavation was halted as anything deeper was safe from development threat. Traces of early features, possibly of Flavian date, were found.