SHEEN, STAFFORDSHIRE: REPORT ON GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY.
Author(s): Matt Canti
The rampart at the Roman fort of Derventio, Littlechester, Derby, has been examined with a view to explaining the construction methods and materials used. The sections exhibited marked lenses of dark clay in a lighter clay matrix, and were frequently crossed by horizontal-trending bands of sand and gravel up to 2m long. Iron concentrations were strongly associated with the banding but could also be found existing as independent mottles. Possible local sources for the clay are discussed and aspects of the lens/band morphologies are used to build up a likely construction scheme. Both blocks and clay rubble appear to have been used, with layers of sand to facilitate traffic over the surface. This produced the dark lenses by compression of blocks and the lighter matrix by sealing in of sand/clay-rubble mixtures. Subsequent iron redistribution is focussed on the abrupt textural variation brought about by this construction style.
- Report Number:
- 6/1989
- Series:
- AML Reports (New Series)
- Pages:
- 14
- Keywords:
- Soil/Sediment
