Summary
The buried remains of a Roman cremation cemetery comprising the remains of at least eight burials and a probable grave marker, flanking a possible Roman road. Two additional excavated cremations illustrate the range of archaeological and environmental material contained within the individual cremation pits.
Reasons for Designation
This Roman cremation cemetery is of national importance for the following principal reasons:
* Rarity: although there were large numbers of Roman cemeteries across England, far fewer examples are known to survive and this is a rare confirmed example in North Britain.
* Period: cemeteries are one of a relatively large range of monument classes known to characterise the Roman period, but are one of the most informative for the period.
* Potential: the archaeological information within this cemetery will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of society and the expression of its funerary rites during the Roman period.
* Survival: despite the fact that the full extent of the cemetery is uncertain, significant archaeological deposits have been demonstrated to remain within the area of the monument.
* Group value: the cemetery has spatial and functional group value with Maryport Roman fort and vicus, already designated as a scheduled monument.
History
The Roman fort at Maryport (Alavna) was established in the early 2nd century AD and formed part of the Hadrianic Cumbrian coastal frontier defences; fragmentary evidence in the form of pottery, coins, a possible tombstone and timber buildings suggest that there was an earlier phase of fortification on or near the site of the visible Hadrianic remains. A civilian settlement or vicus grew up around the fort on its north-east and south-east sides and a Roman road runs from the north gate of the fort through the settlement. A second Roman road is depicted on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map crossing the field (Deer Park) to the south east in the direction of the fort’s south-east entrance and is visible as a linear hollow. Archaeological evaluation in 2011 failed to identify positively the linear hollow as a Roman road, but did uncover the presence of part of a cremation cemetery, flanking its eastern side. The cemetery contained at least ten burials and the lower part of a probable grave marker; two of the burials were excavated, leaving the remaining eight in situ. The first to be excavated measured 0.5m in diameter and was 0.1m deep, from which pieces of Roman pottery and a fragment of cremated bone were recovered along with much charcoal. The second excavated burial contained two upstanding Roman greyware vases containing cremated bone, which early indications suggest may represent the remains of a single human adult; charred hazelnut shells and grape pips were also recovered, the latter associated with wood charcoal thought to be pyre debris. Fired clay, interpreted as daub, was recovered from one of the vessels and iron and copper alloy objects were also found within the cremation pit, largely consisting of nails and hobnails.
Details
Principal elements: The buried remains of a Roman cremation cemetery flanking a possible roman road.
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
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