Roman red hill at Little West Wick (EHER 11247)

A red hill, a probable Roman salt mound, was probably at this location and has been interpreted from fragments of Romano-British pottery and a number of coins including one of silver from Little West Wick, on the Burnham marshes.

1888. Archaeological excavation. A red hill at Little West Wick, which was said to have previously been 'about half an acre in extent'. The construction of a shed at the site had previously turned up 'a number of coins…, one silver, and quantities of pot, some of them whole, and pieces of bone' and the hill had been 'greatly interfered with'. It was partially excavated in 1888 and the finds comprised a large quantity of coarse, thick pottery fragments from cylindrical vessels, as well as 'T-pieces', wedge shaped bricks and Romano-British pottery. Two small fragments of Samian were also recovered. <1> 'A red hill lying immediately SE of the cottage called Little West Wick and probably extending under it, has been reduced to a spread upon the land'. During excavation for foundations for a cow shed on the hill, a number of coins, one of silver, was said to have been found, and also quantities of pottery, some whole. The hill was partially excavated by W. Cole in 1888 which produced a large quantity of briquetage including fragments of cylindrical vessels up to 202mm in diameter, pieces of T-shaped objects, wedge shaped bars, a few fragments of Romano-British pottery and two of Samian ware. <2> <3> <4> NRHE data transfer: TQ 98149743. <5> NRHE summary description: Red hill: probable Roman salt mound, coins and pottery found.