Early Roman field system at Water Lane, Steeple Bumpstead (EHER 80243)

The features and assemblage all indicate the nearby presence of a Roman rural settlement located in the valley bottom.

April 2020. Trial trenching. The evaluation revealed clear evidence of a network of probable field system and/or drainage ditches in the north-eastern quadrant of the site. These ditches were probably aligned with the topography of the slope leading down to the valley bottom. The possibility that there may have been a road/trackway similarly aligned to the current Water Lane would also seem to be a reasonable assumption, especially given the proximity to the presumed Roman road. The presence of a comparatively large post hole, with evidence of a post pipe, suggests the possibility of structural remains on the site. Combined, the ditch network, post-hole, pottery, and CBM assemblages all indicate the nearby presence of a Roman rural settlement located in the valley bottom. Evidence for this settlement may be suggested by the discovery of probable Roman foundations immediately to the south-east of the site, in the area of the current Broadgate House. <1>