Later Silbury Project (internal project no 5980; NHPP project no 3A4.306) Evaluation of the Romano-British settlement in the Fields South of Silbury Hill (NGR SU101682) Integrated Assessment Report
Author(s): Vicky Crosby, Nicola Hembrey
Geophysical survey in 2006, part of the Silbury Hill Conservation Project, revealed extensive settlement in two fields south of Silbury Hill. The Later Silbury project consisted of an archaeological evaluation in 2010 and reassessment of surviving material from earlier excavations in the immediate area. The project aimed to characterise the Romano-British settlement, and to elucidate this poorly understood phase of activity around the monument and within the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, contributing to future management and presentation. Roman Silbury was probably a roadside settlement or small town along the London to Bath road (the modern A4). Immediately south of the road, any surviving features were masked in the magnetic survey by pipelines. In the arable field sloping down to the Kennet, the surveys indicated an extensive settlement, including a minor road or trackway running south from the road with three large subdivided rectangular enclosures to its west. Five evaluation trenches were opened here, concentrating on one of the enclosures and avoiding the large stone buildings identified by ground penetrating radar. Three trenches were opened in the water meadow to investigate geophysical anomalies and alluvial deposits near the river. This report assesses the results of the 2010 evaluation.
- Report Number:
- 101/2011
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 116
- Keywords:
- Animal Bone Ceramic Building Material Clay, Fired Copper Alloy Excavation Flint Glass Grain Human Bone Iron Lead Medieval Mesolithic Metal Working-Fe Mollusca Optically Stimulated Luminescence Plant Remains Post Medieval Pottery Roman Settlement Stone
