Roman ditches, land between Chandlers and Creeksea Lane (EHER 81302)

A number of Roman ditches were recorded in Area 1, that appear to have been located on the periphery of an Early Roman farmstead previously investigated to the East of the site. See EHER 11332.

April-May 2018. Archaeological excavation. A number of Roman ditches were recorded in Area 1, that appear to have been located on the periphery of an Early Roman farmstead previously investigated to the East of the site (see EHER 11332). Two significant linear features were located that are dated to the Roman period, the first of which was a large ditch. Significantly, there were more archaeological features present to the SE of this ditch than to the NW, suggesting that it may have marked the edge of a settlement area. However, the pits and postholes are largely undated, and, when they are datable, provide evidence of both the Bronze Age and to a lesser extent Roman periods. Additionally, the land immediately North of the ditch had not been stripped for excavation so no comparison between the areas directly North and South of the ditch could be made. However, the ditch itself was wide and deep enough to suggest a significant boundary/drainage ditch. <1> See EHER 49137 for an Early/Middle Iron Age settlement which has been interpreted as a possible precursor to Roman activity at this location.