The Baths Basilica, Wroxeter: Excavations 1966-90 1850745285, 9781850745280, 9781848021785

Table of contents :
Illustrations vi
Loose-leaf illustrations x
Tables xiii
Acknowledgements xiv
Summaries xvi
1. Introduction 1
2. Previous archaeological work 15
3. Summary of the structural development of the baths basilica and its surroundings 20
4. A structural history of the baths basilica site 27
5. A catalogue and structural interpretation of the buildings 169
6. The finds 192
7. Archaeology and history: the site in its setting 211
The Appendices
A: The Artefacts 249
B: The Environmental Evidence 324
C: Context information 371
Bibliography 375
Index 383
Loose leaf plans

Citation preview

THE BATHS BASILICA WROXETER Excavations 1966-90

THE BATHS BASILICA WROXETER Excavations 1966-90 Philip Barker, Roger White, IZate Pretty, Heather Bird, and Mike Corbishley

with contributions by Miranda Armour-Chelu, Richard Brickstock, John Casey, Mike Charles, Sue Colledge, Rowena Gale, Mark Hassall, Robert Ixer, Alison Locker, Mick Monk, Sidney Renow, Robin P Symonds, Roberta Tomber, Felicity Wild, and Leonard Wilkinson

a

ENGLISH HERITAGE 1997 ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT 8

Contents 5 A catalogue and structural interpretation of the buildings Introduction . ... . . ....... ...... ........ . . . 169 Reconstructing the evidence ...... . . ... .... .. 169 Metrical analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 0 Catalogue of the buildings .... ..... . . . . .. . .. . 172

Illustrations ....... ..... .. . .... .. ........... vi Loose-leaf figures .... . ........... . .. .. .... .. .x Tables . .... .... ... ....... .. .......... . .. .xiii Acknowledgements .. . .. .. .. . ............... xiv Summary . . . ...... . ....... . ........ . .. . .. .xvi Resume ....... ... . .. . ..... . .. . .... . ..... .xvii Zusammenfassung .. .......... . . . . .......... xix

6 The finds Introduction ... ... . ... .. . .. .... . .. .. . ..... 192 The dumps ... ..... .... .. ... .. .. ...... .. .. 195 Category A contexts . . ... ... ...... . .. ....... 201

1 Introduction The city and the site ................... . .... . 1 Circumstances and development of the excavation .. 2 Organisation and methodology of the excavation .... 8 Structure of the report .... . .... ... .... . . . .... 12 Archive ..... ......... .. ................ . .. 12

7 Archaeology and history: the site in its setting The background and role of the baths basilica .... 221 The peripheral areas of the site before the great rebuilding ..... ... . . .. .. ............ ... 231 The demolition of the basilica and the great rebuilding . ...... . ........ . . .. .. .... ... 231 The implications of the evidence ... . . .. . .. ... .245

2 Previous archaeological work Thomas Wright, 1859 .. .... . .............. .. 15 George Fox, 1894 and 1896 ..... . . . . ... .. .. .. 16 Dame Kathleen Kenyan, 1936 and 1937 ..... . ... 16 Dr Graham Webster, 1955- 66 .... . . .... . ...... 19

Appendices

3 Summary of the structural development of the baths basilica and its surroundings The baths basilica, phases S- Y ...... .... .. .. . .20 The east to west street and drains, phases S, W, and X .. .... .. . ..... . . .. . ........... .... .. 23 The insula 2 frontage, phases V- Y .. ............ 23 The precinct, phases X and Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 The eastern side of insula 5 and the north to south street, phases W-Y ... ... .... ....... ..... . .24 The great rebuilding, phases pre-Z and Z ........ 25

A: The artefacts 1 Small finds by I< Pretty ...... .... . . . ... ... 249 2 Architectural fragments by R W'hite) with R Ixer . .... . . . .... . .. . .. . .. . .. .. . .259 3 Roman coinage by R B rickstock and J Casey . . .264 4 Roman pottery by R P Symonds) with M Hassall) R Tomber) R W'hite) and F Wild .... 269 5 Vessel glass by I< Pretty ......... .. ..... . .. 319 B: The environmental evidence 6 Plant remains by M Monk) M Charles) and S Colledge ............... . .. . .. .. . . .324 7 Charcoal identification by R Gale .... . ... ... 346 8 Faunal remains by M Armour-Chelu .. ... . .. .350 9 Fish bones by A L ocker . ... .......... ... .. 365 10 Human skull fragments by L Wilkinson and P A Barker . ...... .. ....... . .. . ..... 368

4 A structural history of the baths basilica site Phase S, the original basilica ... .. . . .... .. .. . . .27 Phase T, the herringbone-tile floor .. .. . . ....... .52 Phase U, repairs .. . ... . . . .. ..... . . .... .. .... 58 Phase V, repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Phase W, the last refloorings . .. . ..... . . .. .. .. .68 Phase X, the building yard . . . ..... .. . . . ... . ... 89 Phase Y, partial dismantling .. ............ . .. . 103 Peripheral areas .. . . ...... .. ........ . ...... 108 Phase pre-Z: preparatory work .... .. ..... . .. . . 121 Phase Z: the great rebuilding ...... ....... . ... 138 The burial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 7 The abandoned site ...... . .... .... ... ... . . . 168 Dating ................ . ................. 168

C: Context information 11 Context list by site and phase, divided into Categories A, B, and C . .... . ............ 371 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 7 5 Index

V

................. . . .... .. . .. .. .. . .383

Illustrations Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

11 12 13 14 15

Fig 16 Fig 17 Fig 18 Fig 19 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

20 21 22 23 24 25

Fig 26 Fig 27 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

36 37 38 39 40

Fig 41 Fig 42 Fig 43 Fig 44

Sites mentioned in text ....... . . .. . . . . 1 Wroxeter and environs . . ..... . . .. . . . . 2 Wroxeter showing cropmarks and excavated evidence . ... . . . .. .. .. . .... 3 Wroxeter, layout of insulae . .. .. .. . .... 4 Plan of excavated area . .. . .. .. ........ 5 Site 68, excavation 1966 .......... . ... 5 Site 71, west end of nave . . . . .... .. ... 6 Building 7, facade .... ... . . . ... . ..... 6 Layout of site grid . .. . .. . . . . . ...... . . 6 Annexe with archaeological trenches emptied ... . . . .. . . . . . . ... .. ...... . 7 Clearing layer I/II from the site, 1971 . .. . 8 Cleaning part of north aisle, 1982 . . . . . .. 9 On-site planning .. ........ . . . . . . . .. 10 The quadrupod in use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Quadrupod photographs, viewer, and light box . . . ... . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 10 View of consolidated basilica . . ... . . . .. 11 Mosaic fragments found in north aisle, watercolour by George Maw, 1859 .. . . . 15 Junction of the west and south walls of the basilica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Phased plan of the baths basilica, Kenyon 1940 . . . . .. . . ... ... . . . .... . ...... 18 East end of the Old Work, north side ... 19 Baths complex, cAD 150 . . . . ... ..... 20 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase S . .. .. 27 North portico colonnade, wall and drain . 28 Basilica, west and north wall junction . . . 28 North aisle, south aisle, and north portico colonnades, sections .. . ... .. . . . . . . . . 29 North portico colonnade, construction .. 30 North portico colonnade, stylobates, in situ . . . . . . ...... . . . . .. . . . . . .... 31 Stylobate C454 ... .... . . ..... . . . ... 31 Basilica, threshold in west door . .... . . . 31 North wall, robber trench .. . ... . ..... 32 North wall, robbing hole ..... . . .. . . .. 32 Basilica, wall plaster .. . . .. ... . . . . . . . 32 Elevation of wall plaster . . ... . . . . . . . . 33 North wall, possible water pipe inlet . . . . 33 Old Work, west end, showing 1950's underpinning ... .. . .. . .. .. ... . ..... 33 Old Work, north side .. ... . . . .. . . . . . 34 Old Work, east end, underpinning .. . .. 34 South aisle colonnade, looking east . . . . . 35 South aisle colonnade, pier base . . . . .. 36 South aisle colonnade, bedding layer and pier base . ... . . . .. ... . . ... . . ... 36 South aisle colonnade, stylobate fragment ... . .... . . .. ... . . . . . . ... . 37 North aisle colonnade . ... .. . . . . . . . . . 3 7 North aisle colonnade, pier base ...... 37 Nave and south aisle, archaeological trench sections ...... ... . .. ... . ... 38

Fig 45 Fig 46 Fig 47 Fig 48 Fig 49 Fig 50 Fig 51 Fig 52 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

53 54 55 56 57

Fig 58 Fig Fig Fig Fig

59 60 61 62

Fig Fig Fig Fig

63 64 65 66

Fig 67 Fig 68

vi

Fig Fig Fig Fig

69 70 71 72

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

Fig Fig Fig Fig

81 82 83 84

East wall of basilica, south wall of annexe, and drainage slot, junctions ...... .. . . 39 Thomas Wright archaeological trench, j rigidarium doorway, section .. ....... . 40 South aisle, mosaic showing laying-out line ..... . . . . . ... .. . . . . ... ...... . 41 South aisle, mosaic and later patches . . . 41 Frigidarium doorway, sandstone slabs . . . 41 South wall, sandstone slab outside central doorway . . ......... ... .... .. ..... 42 South wall doorway, threshold, and overlying herringbone-tile floor .... ... . 42 Nave, pre-basilican mortar surface cut through floor. . . .. . . . . .. ... . . . . . ... 42 Nave, archaeological trench, section .... 43 North aisle, mosaic fragment D435 ... . 44 North aisle, mosaic fragment D1076 ... 45 North aisle, mosaic fragment D1095 ... 47 North aisle, eastern edge of herringbone-tile patch and associated tesserae . . . ..... .. 4 7 North aisle, mosaic laying-out line at west end . . . . . . ... . . . . . .... . . . . . ..... . 48 Annexe, north room, mortar floor. .. .. . 48 Portico, pebble tile floor . . . . . . . . . ... . 48 Basilica, reconstructed cross-section .. .. 50 Certosa di Pontignano, Siena, Italy, cloister colonnade .......... ... . . ... .... .. 51 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase T . .... 52 South aisle, herringbone-tile floor, west . 53 South aisle, herringbone-tile floor, east .. 53 South aisle, junction between the opus signinum layers, mosaic, and herringbone-tile floor ..... . . .. ...... . .. . . . 54 Nave, wear pattern, north edge of herringbone-tile floor . ... . . . .. .. . . .... . . . . 55 Nave, east end, relaid area of herringbonetile floor . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . 55 Nave, west end, herringbone-tile floor .. 56 North aisle, herringbone-tile floor patch . 56 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase U . . . .. 58 Nave, north edge, area of herringbone-tile floor removal. . . ... .... ..... ..... . . 59 Nave, east end, interlinked areas of wear . 59 Nave, south, linear cut in edge .. . .. ... 59 Ridge of mortar with linear cut . . . . .. . . 60 Linear cut, sections .... .. .. .. .. . .. .. 61 Nave, north-west corner, cut . . . . . .. ... 62 North -aisle, west end, wear pattern . . . . . 62 North aisle, large pit D791 . .. .... . . .. 63 Annexe cross wall, junction with east wall ..... . . . . . .. . . . . .. .. .... ..... 63 Annexe, south room, industrial pits .... 63 Building 7 4, stake-holes . .. . ... ...... 63 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase V .. ... 64 Nave and south aisle, wear pattern and patch . .. ... . .. . . .. . .. . . . ......... 65

Fig 85 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

86 87 88 89 90

Fig 91 Fig 92 Fig 93 Fig 94 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

95 96 97 98 99

Fig 100 Fig 101 Fig 102 Fig 103 Fig 104 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112

Fig 113 Fig 114 Fig 115 Fig Fig Fig Fig

116 117 118 119

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

South aisle, worn and unworn postholes in herringbone tile floor ....... . . . . . . 65 Building 61, west-facing elevation ... . .. 67 Annexe, surface B618 ........... .. .. 67 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase W . . .. 68 Old Work, water pipes at foot of ....... 69 Old Work, offset, showing relaid mosaic border ...... . . . . . ...... . ......... 69 South aisle, sections through water pipes . 70 South aisle, pebble surface by frigidarium doorway ............ . . ......... . . 70 South aisle, west end, mortar floor ..... 71 Mortar floor between surfaces in north aisle and nave ..................... 72 Nave, east end, beaten earth floor ...... 72 Nave, east end, rough final reflooring .... 73 Nave, centre, areas of opus signinum .... 73 Nave, west end, pebble floor .. . ...... . 74 Nave, edge of pebble floor, worn sandstone blocks .. .... . . ... ...... . .. . . . . . . . 75 Building 30 .. . ... .. . . ... . .. . . . . . . . 75 Buildings 65 and 66, charcoal platforms . 76 Buildings XXVI and XXVII, Hen Domen, Montgomery ... ... . . ....... .. .. ... 77 Buildings 65 and 66 and hollow-way between ....... .. .. .. . ... .... . . . . 78 Building 65, earth and pebble floors , section . .. . . ..... .. . . ........ .. . . 78 Nave, west end, dark earth layers ...... 79 North aisle, baby burial ............. 80 North aisle, east end, mortar floors ..... 80 North aisle, path into portico ...... . . . 81 Annexe, north room . .. . .. .......... 81 Annexe, casting pit with baby burial .. .. 82 Charred threshold plank .... . . . . ... . . 82 Annexe, south room, Phase W1, industrial complex . ...... .... .... . . 83 Building 59, hearth . . . ... .. . . ... . ... 84 Building 59, iron trowel ..... ... . .... 84 Building 60, hearths and mortar mixing area beneath ...... . ............... 84 Buildings 60ii and 59ii ..... ... ...... 85 Building 6 7, cross wall . . . .. ... . .... . 8 6 Annexe, cross wall showing wear. .. .... 86 West portico, sandstone path leading to west door . ... . .. . . .. . . ...... . .. . . 87 North portico, subsidence . . .. ... . . . . . 87 North portico, eroded water course ... . 88 North portico, west end, subsidence .... 88 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase X ..... 90 Building 54, east end of south aisle . .... 90 Building 54, flagstone hearth ......... 91 Building 53 by doorway in south aisle ... 91 Nave, east end and Building 55 ....... 92 Lime pit half-sectioned ..... ... . .. .. . 92 Lime pit interpretatation ........... .. 93 Lime pit ..... .. ... .. ............. 94 Lime pit, later layers . .. ... . . ... . .... 94 Building 56 . ........ .. . . ... .. ..... 95

133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140

Fig 141 Fig 142 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

143 144 145 146 14 7 148 149

Fig 150 Fig Fig Fig Fig

151 152 153 154

Fig 155 Fig 156 Fig 157 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

158 159 160 161 162 163

Fig 164 Fig 165 Fig 166 Fig 16 7 Fig 168 Fig 169 Fig 170 Fig 1 71 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

vu

172 173 17 4 175 17 6 177 178 179 180

North aisle, Phase X ......... . .. ... . 96 Annexe, south-east corner, lime layer ... 96 Buildings 63 and 64, postholes, sections. 97 Oven D371 .. . ....... . .. . .... ... . . 98 Oven D371, dissection . . ... . .. ... .. . 98 Oven D371, sections ..... ... .. .... . . 99 North portico, joist lines ... .. .. . ... . 100 North portico, ox skull between joists of boardwalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Lines marking joist positions ........ . 100 North portico, stake or solution holes showing joist positions . . ...... .. ... 101 Oven D501 ... ........... . . . . . ... 102 Building 58, stylobates and posthole . .. 102 Building 58, step to cobble street . .... 102 Building 57, east of Building 58 . . . ... 103 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase Y ... . 104 South aisle, east end, rubble dump .... 104 South aisle, west end, Building 52 and surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 South aisle, west end, worn rubble surfaces .. . . . . . . ..... ... . . ... .. .. 105 Nave, west end, worn rubble surface . ... 105 Nave, east end, flagstones . . . .. . . . . . . 105 Building 61, collapsed daub wall-facing. 106 North aisle, floor, fragment of basilica wall ....... . . . ... . .. . ...... ..... 106 North wall, flagstone surface associated with doorway ........ . ... . ...... . 106 West portico ............ ... . .. ... 107 North portico, worn surfaces, subsidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 North portico, colonnade, robber trench. 107 Basilica, stone gutter .......... ..... 109 Gutter stones ........ .... .. ...... 109 Graffito on gutter stone . . .. . . . . . . . . . 109 Water pipes, north of gutter stones .... 110 Voids in road surface showing underlying pipes ............. ... .. . . . . . . . .. 111 Iron pipe collar showing wood traces .. 111 Water pipe after excavation ...... ... . 111 Iron pipe collar, mortar covering still in place ................. . . ...... . . 112 Roadside fountain, excavation sequence . 113 Corbridge and Pompeii, stone roadside water tanks . ... . . . . ....... .. ... . . 114 Box-pipe E219 .......... .... ..... 114 Stone robbing hole E271 . ....... .. . 114 Water channel, before and after excavation ................. . ..... 115 Section through road showing box-pipe .. 116 Possible central road drain E176 .. .... 116 Possible central road drain C 188 ..... 117 Industrial furnace C439 . . ... ....... 117 Gully network . ........ ..... . . .. .. 118 Pit C440 . . . . . .... . . . . . ... ...... . 118 Building 36 ..... .. between pages 1201121 The Post House, Kiev, 1852 ......... 120 Pipe trench B86 ... . ........... . .. 121

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

181 182 183 184 185 186 187

Fig Fig Fig Fig

188 189 190 191

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 21 0 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

223 224 225 226 227 228

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

229 230 231 232 233 234 235

Fig 236 Building 22 . . .................... Fig 237 Building 8, porch on cobble street, Phase Z3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fig 238 Building 68 .................. . . . . Fig 239 Building 23 ........ . ........ . . . .. Fig 240 Building 24 ........... . . . ........ Fig 241 Section of Bl76 ........ . . . . . . .... Fig 242 Lead fla shing within B 17 6 ..... . ... . Fig 243 Building 24, northern end ........... Fig 244 North- south street, Phase Z ....... . . Fig 245 Male burial ....... . ...... ... ..... Fig 246 Reconstruction of Building 1 ... ... . . Fig 24 7 Reconstruction of Building 4 ........ Fig 248 Reconstruction of Building 6 .... . ... Fig 249 Reconstruction of Building 7 ........ Fig 250 Reconstruction of Building 8 . ....... Fig 251 Reconstruction of Building 9 .... ... . Fig 252 R econstruction of Building 10 ....... Fig 253 R econstruction of Building 11 ...... . Fig 254 Reconstruction of Building 12 .. ..... Fig 255 Reconstruction of Building 13 ....... Fig 256 Recon struction of Building 15 ..... . . Fig 257 R econstruction of Building 17 . ... ... Fig 258 R econstruction of Building 18 .. .. ... Fig 259 Reconstruction of Building 19 . .. .. .. Fig 260 Reconstruction of Building 20 ...... . Fig 261 Reconstruction of Building 21 . . .. ... Fig 262 R econstruction of Building 22 ..... .. Fig 263 Reconstruction of Building 23 . . ..... Fig 264 Reconstruction of Building 24 ..... .. Fig 265 Reconstruction of Building 26 ....... Fig 266 Reconstruction of Buildings 27 and 28 . Fig 267 Reconstruction of Building 29 .. .. ... Fig 268 Reconstruction of Building 31 . . .. ... Fig 269 Recon struction of Building 33 ... .... Fig 270 Reconstruction of Building 34 . . . .. . . Fig 271 Recon struction of Building 36 ....... Fig 272 Recon struction of Building 38 .... ... Fig 273 Reconstruction of Building 39 .. .. ... Fig 2 7 4 Recon struction of Building 44 ....... Fig 275 Reconstruction of Building 45 ....... Fig 276 Reconstruction of Building 46 ...... . Fig 277 Reconstruction of Building 4 7 . . ..... Fig 278 Reconstruction of Building 49 .. .. . .. Fig 279 Reconstruction of Building 50 ....... Fig 280 Reconstruction of Building 51 ....... Fig 281 R econstruction of Building 52 ....... Fig 282 R econ struction of Building 53 . ... . . . Fig 283 Recon struction of Building 54 . . ..... Fig 284 Reconstruction of Building 55 ...... . Fig 285 Reconstruction of Building 56 ....... Fig 286 Reconstruction of Building 57 . .. .... Fig 287 Reconstruction of Building 58 ... . . . . Fig 288 Reconstruction of Building 59ii . .. ... Fig 289 Reconstruction of Building 60ii ...... Fig 290 Reconstruction of Building 63 . . . . . .. Fig 291 Reconstruction of Building 64 . .. .... Fig 292 Recon struction of Building 67 ...... . Fig 293 Reconstruction of Building 68 . ... ...

Pebble floor A435 . ..... . .......... 122 Pit and gully system . ......... . . . . . 122 Pit A252, section ............. ... . 123 Pit A345, sections ..... . .. ...... . . . 123 Pits A318 and A345 ... ............ 124 Pits A318 and A34 7, profiles .. .. . . . . 125 Furnaces ASO, AlSO, A245, A323, and hearth Al4 . ....... . ......... .... 126 Furnace ASO ... ... ...... . ........ 127 Fence line A258- A317 . ... . ........ 127 Building 1 ..... . .. .. ... . ......... 128 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phases pre and post-Z ... ... .. ...... . . .... . . .. . . 130 Robber trench, section ............. 130 Gravel street, during excavation ...... 131 Gravel street, after excavation . . . .. ... 131 Gravel street, sections across ........ 132 Gravel street, section along . ... .. .. . 133 Gravel street, during excavation ...... 134 North portico, hearths ... . ........ . 135 Possible cauldron stand . ..... . ... . .. 136 Fallen wall fragment C 109 .. . . ... . . . 136 Hearths, Phase pre-Z4 ..... . . . . ... . 136 North portico, dumps, sections ... .. .. 137 Layout of loose leaf plans, Phase Z . . . . 138 South aisle, Phase Z platforms ..... .. 139 Buildings 10 and 11, rubble platforms . 140 Building 10, rubble raft ... . .... .... . 141 Porch pad-stones .. ........ . . . ... .. 142 Rubble raft fragment D 1OOE . .... .... 143 Rubble raft fragment D 1OOG ........ 143 Building 11 , dwarf walls . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Basilica, western doorway, worn path . . 144 Rubble path Dl32 and raft DlOO .. . .. 145 Building 31 .. . .. . ... . ........... . 146 Annexe, n orth room, dump ......... 147 Building 38 . . . . ... . ..... . .. .... .. 147 Building 37 . . ....... . ..... . ..... . 148 West portico, tile hearth .... . . . . .. . . 148 Building 33 .. . .... . ... . ...... . .. . 148 Building 33, north wall ..... . ..... . . 149 Oven D371 with rubble dump in front . 149 Building 14 ..... . . . ..... .. ....... 150 Gravel street surface, modern watereroded channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Gravel street, west end . . ..... . . . . . . 151 Gravel street, joist lines ... .. .. . ... .. 151 Building 42 . .. . ........ . .. . .... . . 153 Gravel street, west end ........... . . 153 Building 26, west end of cobble street .. 153 Building 26, west wall construction detail. . .. .. ... ..... . ............ 154 Cobble street, Phase Zl, linear dumps. 154 Southern frontage, insula 2, Phase Zl .. 155 Building 51 . .................. . . . 155 Building 47 .......... . ........... 156 Building 46 ... .... . ... . ... . .. . .. . 156 Building 35, porch .. .. . . . .. . . .... . 157 Building 7, facad e .... ... .. ... .. ... 158

Vlll

159 160 161 161 162 163 164 164 166 167 172 173 173 17 4 17 4 17 4 175 175 176 176 177 177 177 178 178 178 179 179 180 180 181 181 181 182 182 183 183 183 184 184 184 185 185 185 186 186 186 187 187 188 188 189 189 189 190 190 190 191

Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 31 0 311 312 313 314

Fig Fig Fig Fig

315 316 317 318

Fig 319 Fig 320 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

321 322 323 324 325

Fig 326 Fig 327 Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig Fig

328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335

Fig 336 Fig 337

Fig 338 Column base from Wroxeter lapidarium . . 263 Fig 339 Capital from Finger-post Cottage, near Wroxeter. .......... .. ..... .. .... 263 Fig 340 Coins from all Wroxeter sites ........ 264 Fig 341 Coins from other Wroxeter sites ... . .. 265 Fig 342 Coins from the baths basilica site (Barker) .. ...................... 265 Fig 343 Coins from the baths site (Webster) ... 265 Fig 344 Coins from Sites C , D, and E ........ 266 Fig 345 Coins from Site A . ... ... .. . ....... 266 Fig 346 Coins from Site B, Precinct ......... 267 Fig 34 7 Coins from Site B, Annexe .......... 267 Fig 348 Severan coin mould .......... ... .. 267 Fig 349 Coin of Constantine I . ... .. . ....... 267 Fig 350 Red wares i ............ . ......... 27 4 Fig 351 Red wares ii .......... .. ......... 275 Fig 352 Red wares iii .. .. . .... ........ ... 276 Fig 353 Red wares iv ..................... 277 Fig 354 Grey wares i ..................... 280 Fig 355 Grey wares ii .. . ... .. .. .. ... . ..... 282 Fig 356 Black-burnished wares i ............ 283 Fig 357 Black-burnished wares ii ............ 284 Fig 358 Black-burnished wares iii ........... 285 Fig 359 Calcite-gritted wares ............... 286 Fig 360 Nene Valley wares .. . ... ...... ..... 287 Fig 361 Oxfordshire ware ... ... . . . .. . ...... 289 Fig 362 Other Fine wares .. .... ........... 290 Fig 363 Miscellaneous wares ............... 292 Fig 364 Miscellaneous wares, graffitti, and stamps ............ ... . ......... 307 Fig 365 Coarse ware fabrics in stratigraphic phase order ........ . .. .. . .. .... . . 311 Fig 366 Fine ware fabrics in stratigraphic phase order ........................... 312 Fig 367 Red wares in stratigraphic order ...... 312 Fig 368 Grey wares in stratigraphic order ..... 313 Fig 369 Black-burnished wares in stratigraphic order . . .... ... ... ..... .......... 313 Fig 370 Black-burnished wares in stratigraphic order ........................... 313 Fig 371 Calcite-gritted wares in stratigraphic order ................... . ....... 313 Fig 372 Various imported wares in stratigraphic order .... ........ ............... 314 Fig 373 Pottery in Phase W ................ 314 Fig 374 Pottery in Phase Z .... . ... . .... . .. 314 Fig 375 Nene Valley wares, all phases ........ 315 Fig 376 Severn Valley wares, all phases ....... 317 Fig 377 Decorated samian sherds ......... .. 317 Fig 378 Glass vessels . ... ... . .. .. ....... .. 321 Fig 379 Bread-wheat prime versus tail grains ... 329 Fig 380 Spikelet measurements from D626 .. .. 329

Reconstruction of Building 7 4 ..... . . 191 Distribution of post-Roman finds . . ... 193 Wound-wire headed pins ............ 194 Anglo-Saxon strap-end ............ . 195 Objects from dump C527 ........... 196 Objects from dump C527 ........... 197 Bone counters from dump C527 ...... 198 Objects from dump D 1569 ........ . . 199 Objects from dump D 1569 .......... 200 Martio barbuli .............. . . .... 204 Late military metalwork ... . .... .. .. 205 Shale objects ..................... 207 Decorated ironwork ...... . ...... . . 208 Decorated iron styli .......... ... ... 208 Crossbow brooches ........... . .... 209 Penannular brooches . .............. 210 Protozoomorphic pins ........... ... 211 Ringheaded pin ................... 212 Six votive plaster eyes .. ..... ....... 213 Plaster eyes .......... .. .......... 214 Plaster eyes, including rejected examples . . ....... ......... . ..... 215 Votive sheet gold eyes .............. 216 Votive copper-alloy eye ........ ... .. 216 Votive eye cut from samian sherd . . . . . 216 Skull fragment showing cut marks indicating scalping .. . ........ .. . . . 216 Special finds by phase . .. . .. ... .. ... 218 Reconstruction of baths basilica, PhaseS ......................... 222 Western baths and tepidarium ........ 226 Wright's 1859 excavations ........... 227 Reconstruction of the site, Phase Y .... 230 Reconstruction of the site, Phase Z .... 233 Barkerville, British Columbia, main street 1868-98 and 1902 . . . . ........ 235 Tombstone of Cunorix ........ . .... 238 Reconstruction of post-Roman territory ....... . ...... .. . ... .... 243 The Berth at Baschurch ... ......... 244 Saxon? halls at Atcham . . . . ......... 244 Aerial view of Shrewsbury ........... 244 Intaglios ....................... . 250 Objects from category A contexts .... . 253 Objects from category A context ...... 255 Objects from category A contexts ..... 257 Architectural fragments from north portico colonnade robber trench ..... . 260 A stylobate from north portico colonnade . .... .... . . . .... ..... .. 261 Architectural fragments from north aisle colonnade robber trench and elsewhere .. 262

lX

Loose-leaf illustrations Al

Robber trenches and archaeological disturbances

Composite sections A2 North-south along A3 North-south along A4 North-south along AS North-south along

A37 A38 A39 A40 A41

6lm east 1OOm east 120m east lOm north

A42 Interpretative phase plans A6 The original building, Phase S Repairs and modifications, Phases T , U, and V A7 AS The last reflooring, Phase W The building yard, Phase X A9 Al 0 Partial dismantling of the basilica, Phase Y All The great rebuilding, Phase Z Al2 The last building and a burial, Phase post-Z Al3 West portico, south, PhaseS A 14 West portico, north, Phase S Al5 North portico colonade, west end, evidence and interpretation Al6 North portico colonade, centre and east end, evidence and interpretation Al7 North portico colonade,robber trench east end Al8 North wall, robber trench, west end, entre and east end evidence Al9 South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phases S, T, and U A20 South aisle, centre, evidence and interpretation Phases S, T, and U A21 South aisle, east, evidence and interpretation Phases S, T, and U A22 South aisle, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phases S, T, and U A23 South aisle, annexe, evidence, Phases S, T , and U A24 South aisle colonnade, west end and centre, evidence and interpretation A25 South aisle colonnade, east end, evidence and interpretation A26 North aisle colonnade, west end and centre, evidence and interpretation A27 North aisle colonnade, centre to extreme east end, evidence and interpretation A28 Nave, west end, evidence, Phases S, T, U, and V A29 Nave, middle, evidence, Phases S, T, U, and V A30 Nave, east end, evidence, Phases S, T, U, and V A31 Nave, extreme east end, evidence, Phases S, T, U, and V A32 North aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phases S and T A33 North aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phases S and T A34 North aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phases S and T A35 North aisle, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phases S and T A36 North aisle, middle to east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase S

A43 A44 A45 A46 A47 A48 A49 A50 A51 A52 A 53 A 54 A55 A56 A57 A58 A59 A60 A61 A62 A63 A64 A65

A66 A67 A68 A69 A70 A71 A72 A73 A74 A75

X

North aisle, east to extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase S Annexe, interpretation, Phase S South aisle, interpretation, Phases T and U Annexe, interpretation, Phase T North aisle, west end, evidence, Phases U and V, also Phase W North aisle, middle, evidence, Phases U and V, also Phase W North aisle, east end, evidence, Phases U and V, also Phase W North aisle, extreme east end, evidence, Phases U and V, also Phase W Annexe, interpretation, Phase U South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase V South aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase V South aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase V Annexe, evidence and interpretation, Phase V South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Wl, W2-3 South aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase W 1, W2-3 South aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase W 1, W2-3 Nave, west end, evidence, Phase Wl Nave, middle, evidence, Phase Wl Nave, east end, evidence, Phase Wl Nave, extreme east end, evidence, Phase Wl Nave, west end, evidence, Phase W2 Nave, west end, evidence, Phases W3- X Nave, middle, evidence, Phases W3-X Annexe, evidence, Phase Wl Annexe, interpretation, Phase Wl Annexe, evidence, Phase W2 Annexe, interpretation, Phase W2 West portico, evidence, Phase W North portico, west end, evidence, Phases Wl and 2 North portico, west end to middle, evidence, Phases W 1 and 2 North portico, middle, evidence, Phases Wl and 2 North portico, east end, evidence, Phases Wl and 2 North portico, extreme east end, evidence, Phases W 1 and 2 South aisle, Phase X, east end, evidence and interpretation South aisle, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X Nave, east end, evidence, Phases W3-X Nave, extreme east end, evidence, Phases W3- X Nave, extreme east end, interpretation, Phase X North aisle, middle to east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X

A76 A 77 A 78 A 79 A80 A81 A82 A83 A84 A85 A86 A87 A88 A89 A90 A91 A92 A93 A94 A95 A96 A97 A98 A99 Al 00 Al 01 Al 02 Al 03 Al04 Al 05 Al 06 Al 07 Al 08 Al 09 All 0

Alll North- south street and frontages, interpretation pit and gully systems 1 and 2, Phase Yl All2 North- south street and frontages, evidence, Phase Y2 All3 North-south street and frontages, interpretation, Phase Y2 All4 North portico, evidence, Phase pre-Zl AllS North portico, evidence, Phases pre-Z2 and 3 All6 North portico, evidence, Phase pre-Z4 All7 South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z All8 South aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z All9 South aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z Al20 South aisle, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z Al21 North portico, north aisle, and nave, west end, evidence, Phase Z Al22 North portico, north aisle, and nave, west, evidence, Phase Z A 123 North portico, north aisle, and nave, middle, evidence, Phase Z Al24 North portico, north aisle, and nave, east, evidence, Phase Z Al25 North portico, north aisle, and nave, east end, evidence, Phase Z Al26 North portico, north aisle, and nave, extreme east end, evidence, Phase Z Al27 North portico, north aisle, and nave, west end, interpretation Phase Z Al28 North portico, north aisle, and nave, west, interpretation, Phase Z Al29 North portico, north aisle, and nave, middle, interpretation, Phase Z Al30 North portico, north aisle, and nave, east, interpretation, Phase Z Al31 North portico, north aisle, and nave, east end, interpretation, Phase Z Al32 North portico, north aisle, and nave, extreme east end, interpretation, Phase Z Al33 Annexe, evidence, Phase Z Al34 Annexe, interpretation, Phase Z Al35 West portico, south, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z 1 Al36 West portico, north, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z 1 Al37 West portico, south, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al38 West portico, north, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al39 West portico, south, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z3 Al40 West portico, north, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z3 Al41 West portico, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z4 Al42 North portico, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z

North aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X Annexe, evidence, Phase X West portico, south, evidence and interpretation, Phase X West portico, north, evidence and interpretation, Phase X North portico, west end to middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase X North portico, middle to east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X North portico, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X North portic, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y 1 South aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y2 South aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y South aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y South aisle, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y Nave, west end, evidence, Phase Y Nave, middle, evidence, Phase Y Nave, east end, evidence, Phase Y Nave, extreme east end, evidence, Phase Y North aisle, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y North aisle, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y North aisle, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Y Annexe, evidence, Phase Y West portico, evidence, Phase Y North portico, evidence, Phase Y East- west street, west end, evidence, Phases pre-Z and Z Insula 2, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phases V and W Insula 2, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase X Insula 2, east end, evidence, Phases Y and Z 1 Insula 2, east end, interpretation, Phases Y and Zl Precinct, west, evidence, Phases X, Y, and Zl Precinct, east, evidence, Phases X, Y, and Z 1 Precinct, west, interpretation, Phases X, Y, and Zl Precinct, east, interpretation, Phases X, Y, and Zl North-south street and frontages, evidence, Phases W and X North-south street and frontages, evidence, Phase Yl North-south street and frontages, interpretation, Phase Y 1

Xl

Al43 North portico, extreme east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z Al44 East-west street, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z3 Al45 East-west street, west, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al46 East-west street, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al4 7 East-west street, east, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al48 East-west street, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z 1 Al49 East-west street, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 AlSO East-west street, east end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z3 Al51 Insula 2, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Zl Al52 Insula 2, middle, evidence and interpretation, Phase Zl AI 53 Insula 2, east end, interpretation, Phase Z2 AI 54 Insula 2, west end, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 Al55 Insula 2, centre, evidence and interpretation, Phase Z2 AI 56 Insula 2, east end, evidence, Phases Z2 and Z3 AI 57 Insula 2, east end, interpretation, Phase Z2

AI 58 AI 59 Al60 Al61 Al62 Al63 Al64 Al65 A 166 Al67 A 168 Al69 Al70 Al71 Al72 Al73 Al74 Al75 Al76 Al77

Xll

Insula 2, east end, interpretation, Phase Z3 Precinct, west, evidence, Phase Z2 Precinct, east, evidence, Phase Z2 Precinct, west, interpretation, Phase Z2 Precinct, east, interpretation, Phase Z2 Precinct, west, evidence, Phase Z3 Precinct, east, evidence, Phase Z3 Precinct, west, interpretation, Phase Z3 Precinct, east, interpretation, Phase Z3 Precinct, west, evidence, Phase Z4 Precinct, east, evidence, Phase Z4 Precinct, west, interpretation, Phase Z4 Precinct, east, interpretation, Phase Z4 North- south street and frontages, evidence, Phase Z North- south street and frontages, interpretation Phase Z North-south street and frontages, dissection of cistern Al7 North portico and north aisle, west, evidence, Phase post-Z North portico and north aisle, east, evidence, Phase post-Z North portico and north aisle, west, interpretation, Phase post-Z North portico and north aisle, east, interpretation, Phase post-Z

List of tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 Major plant categories grouped spatially .... 334 28 Charcoal summary .. ... . ...... . .. ..... . 34 7 29 Percentage of loose teeth present .. .. .. . ... 350 30 Percentage of eroded bones present ... .. .. . 351 31 Percentage of canid gnawed bones present ... 351 32 Percentage of fragments less than 25 % whole . 351 33 Number of bones recorded by site and phase . 352 34 Relative frequency of pig, cattle, and sheep/goat ............................ 352 35 Wroxeter compared with Welsh Border sites . 352 36 Relative proportions of pig, cattle, and sheep/goat . .. . . ... . .. ... ........ .. .... 353 3 7 Comparative sizes of Iron Age and Roman pig bones . ... . . .. ....................... 353 38 Age classification of cattle horncores .... ... 354 39 Contexts containing aged cattle horncores ... 354 40 Cattle withers height from sexed metapodials .... .. . ..... .... ......... 354 41 Withers height of sexed metacarpals .. .. .... 355 42 Withers height of sheep . ........... .. . .. 356 43 Comparison of sheep metacarpal lengths .... 356 44 Withers height of dogs . .. .. ..... ... . .... 356 45 Cow innominates showing osteoarthritis symptoms .. . .............. .... ....... 357 46 Cattle mandibles with congenital absence of PM2 and posterior cusp of M3 ... . ...... . 358 4 7 Frequencies of edible wild mammals . . ..... 358 48 Bird species identified ..... ..... ........ . 359 49 Sex of the chicken bones .. ..... . .. . ..... 360 50 Contexts analysed for bone .............. 364 51 Fish species by site ..................... 365 52 Fish bones by phase and species . . .. ....... 365 53 Fish lengths by species .. ... ......... . ... 366

Phase linkages across site ........ .. ....... 13 Dimensions of the basilica .. . ... . .... .. ... 49 Estimation of hard-core used in Phase Z building platforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Dimensions of buildings in Phase W . . . . . . . 17 0 Dimensions of buildings in Phase X .. . .. ... 170 Dimensions of buildings in Phase Y ........ 170 Dimensions of buildings in Phase Z . . . . . . . . 171 Dimensions of buildings in Phase post-Z . .. . 171 Finds from C527 and Dl569 by function .. . 195 Number of finds in category A contexts by context, area, and phase ...... ......... . . 202 Finds from category A contexts and layer IIII by functional categories .. . ........ .... .. 203 Tools and weapons in Category A contexts .. 203 Personal jewellery type loss by phase .... ... 206 Personal jewellery from category A contexts by material ........... ...... .......... 206 Human bone by phase and area ...... . ... . 217 Mended sherds, by phase and ware .. . .. . .. 218 Dating evidence (baths basilica site) ... ..... 239 Pottery fabric proportions showing sub-fabrics and groupings ... ..... .............. . .. 271 Pottery fabric proportions showing main fabrics and broad groupings . .......... . . . .. .. . . 273 List of samian forms present ...... ..... .. 309 Proportion and types of drinking cups in the latest levels . . . .. .. . ....... . ........... 320 Glass and site phases .............. . .. .. 322 Functional analysis of glass vessels by period . . 322 1981-5, charred plant remains . ..... ...... 325 1981- 5, charred plant remains, totals and ratios . . . 328 Major plant categories grouped by type ... . 333

Xlll

Acknowledgements It will be appreciated that an excavation of this size, extending over twenty annual seasons, involved hundreds of people from many countries, some for ten or fifteen years, others for only a fortnight or so. It is impossible therefore to thank by name all who took part. We hope that everyone who helped in any capacity will accept our thanks and will feel that it was all worth it and that they see somewhere in these pages the result of their work; a post-hole emptied, a pebble floor cleaned, a rubble foundation drawn or a find discovered. The success of the excavation depended to a very great extent on the quality of the trowelling, which throughout was of a very high standard, leaving surfaces which revealed all the subtleties of their evidence. Those who spent their time simply trowelling deserve our special thanks. Inevitably the bulk of the responsibility for the excavation fell on the site supervisors and their assistants, and the quality of their observation and recording was crucial to the post- excavation analysis. Behind the excavators in the field there were of course, teams of other workers; draughtsmen, finds processors, surveyors, cooks, photographers and so on . The whole undertaking was supported and financed by the Department of the Environment through the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and we owe their Inspectors a special debt of gratitude for their faith in an extended piece of research which might well have proved to be sterile. We hope that they now feel that their enlightened support has been justified. The Inspectors chiefly responsible for the excavation were Dr Arnold Taylor, Andrew Saunders, Oswin E Craster, Peter White, Eerie Morley, and Gill Chitty. The principal site supervisors were Mike Corbishley, Charles Daniels, Pete Fasham, Charles Hill, Clive Partridge, Ritchie Post, Peter Richards, Roger White, and Tim Williams. The assistant site supervisors included Paul Barford, Peter Busby, John Chadderton, Christine Everall, Anne Everall, Mark Foster, Martin Fowkes, Regina Haldon, Paul Hallett, Penny Harris, James Howell, Carol James, Thomas Jefferson, Kris Lockyer, Viv Metcalf, Henry Owen-John, Lewis Parton, Jeff Perry, Martin Redmond, Steve Roskams, Sue Riviere, Rupert Selwyn-Smith, Georgina Shaw, Martin Shaw, Andrew Simpson, Jennifer Smith, Craig Spence, lain Soden, and Andrew Westmann. The site surveyors included Jeremy Barker, Ian Bissett, Kip Kelland and Sue Riviere . The principal draughtspersons were Heather Bird, Philip Clarke, Janet MacDonald, Peter Scholefield and Helen Visser. Draughtspersons included Judith Affleck, Robert Baldwin, Juliet Bould, Rob Clay, Kay Dunham, Robert Easthope, Carolyn Fiddes,

Robin Ellis, Heather Greaves, Jane Hughes, Matthew Johnson, Fiona Keily, Mark Lake, Maggie de Lattre, Ruth Linton, Michael Luke, Judith Monk, Jane O'Shaughnessy, Jerry O'Sullivan, Rosanna Pfeiffer, Pam Scholefield, Caroline Shah, Lydia Stuchlik, Peter Stuchlik, Ros Styles, Stephen Webster, Bruce Williams, Lisa Williams, Ruth Williams, Bridget Wilson, and Helen Wilson. From 1970, responsibility for finds processing was undertaken by Dr Kate Pretty while day-to-day running of the finds shed was in the hands of Frank Botticelli, Liz Simmons, Mary Richards, Gill Corbishley and Susanne Hazelgrove. Environmental sampling and processing was carried out by Mick Monk, Mike Charles, and Sue Colledge. On-site photography was carried out from 1973 by Sidney Renow who was assisted in later seasons by Nick Downes and Sarah Wheaton. Sidney Renow was also mainly reponsible for the development of the quadrupod . Responsibility for administration, catering, the running of the camp site and the weekly cinematic entertainments and tours was shared by many people but especially Eve Barker, Gill Corbishley, Mike Corbishley, Kate Pretty, Jane Hughes, Helen Gunning, and Judith Burl. Catering was largely carried out by Ian Sheard and his wife with a team from Worcester College of Technology but in the earlier years Barbara Hughes and others were responsible. The post-excavation team consisted largely of Heather Bird and Roger White who were responsible respectively for drawing and analysis . Additional drawing staff included Lucy Askew, Helen Ash worth, Juliet Bould, Jane Goddard, Claire Halpin, John Margam, Tim Morgan, Corinne Renow, Jean Renow, Tracey Slawson, and Ivor Wilcox. Roger White is especially grateful for comments and suggestions for improvements to the level Ill archive report which were provided by Keith Brudenell, Donald Mackreth, Cameron Moffett, Dr David Neal, Dr Peter Richards, Bryn Walters, Dr Graham Webster, and Tim Williams. Background material on the Roman city was kindly supplied by Dr Arnold Baker, J K St Joseph, David R Wilson of the Cambridge Air-Photographic Unit, and David Pannett. The analysis of the finds was co-ordinated by Kate Pretty who was assisted by Angela Bliss, Susanne Hazelgrove, Hugh Borrill, Ellie Hughes, and Tjeerd van Andel. Computing was largely the responsibility of Sue Laflin, and Andy Roper. Particular thanks go to all the specialists for their reports . These include Sir David Wilson (Anglo-Saxon strap end), Dr Martin Henig and Bob Wilkins (Intaglii), Marjorie Hutchinson (Beads), Dr John Casey and Dr Richard Brickstock (Coins), Bill Manning (Iron), Dr Hilary Cool and Dr Jennifer Price

XIV

Technical assistance for the excavation was provided by English Heritage (formerly DoE) Wolverhampton Depot especially George Alien, Alan Capewell, George Simcox, Tony Springet, JeffWest and Richard Zeizer. On-site assistance came from the existing labour force formerly based at Wroxeter including Ray Adams, Alf Challoner, Jack Burnett, Bev Chislett, Charlie Chislett, Colin Farrer, Reg Gregory, George Griffiths, Mal Watson, and Bill Williamson, and from the custodians in the site museum, Brian Kinnersly, Doreen Llywellyn, and Nola Ames. From Wroxeter village itself, we would like to thank the tenant farmers who used to work the baths basilica site, Brian Everall and Charles and Sue Everall. In addition, we would like to thank Mr and Mrs Roy Rodgers of Wroxeter Post Office (now Wroxeter Stores), Chris Doyle formerly at the Horseshoe public house, David Jones of Southdown Disco, and the former owners of the Wroxeter Hotel. Part of the typing for the original manuscript was carried out for Philip Barker by Lesley Botham and Christine Priddey. The report has been written as a collaborative effort between Philip Barker, Roger White, Kate Pretty, Mike Corbishley and Heather Bird with sections of the text being prepared by one of the group and then fully discussed and approved by the rest. This approach has grown directly from the methods used while the site was being excavated. It is true to say, in fact, that the postexcavation discussions started in 1966 and have been going on ever since. This approach was possible because of the general continuity of the staff from supervisors to trowellers who returned year after year, and because there was little pressure in terms of time. Excavation targets were set for each season and were generally adhered to but within this framework, the work was discussed while it was in progress, often to great benefit in terms of insights into what the evidence was saying and in overall strategy. The final revision of the text took place in December 1993. Finally, particular thanks are due to Martin Biddle, Barry Cunliffe, Philip Rahtz, Graham Webster and the late A H A Hogg for their support for the project.

(Glass), Dr Stephen Pierpoint, Pamela Irving, Robin Symonds, Sue Wade, Dr David Peacock, Roberta Tomber, and Felicity Wild; who would also like to thank Brenda Dickinson, Joanna Bird, and Geoffrey Dannell (Pottery), Georgina Shaw (Plaster), Dr Graham Webster (Bronzes), Donald Mackreth (Brooches), Justine Bailey and Dr Susan Limbrey (Soils), Alwynne Wheeler and Alison Locker; who wishes to thank Beverley Meddens (Fish bones), Barbara Noddle and Dr Sebastian Payne, Beverley Meddens and Miranda Armour-Chelu; who would like additionally to thank Peter Andrews, Gill Chitty, Mike Corbishley, Juliet Clutton-Brock, Simon Davis, Simon James, Helen Keeley, Alison Locker, Mark Maltby, Terry O'Connor, Sebastian Payne, Kate Pretty, Sue Stallibrass and Barbara West, also Juliet CluttonBrock, Mark Maltby, Terry O'Connor and Sue Stallibrass for access to unpublished data, and Rosemary Luff, Nigel Clubb, Amanda Saunders, Steve Stead, and Ben Booth for technical support, (Animal bone), Dr JP Wilkinson (Human bone), Mick Monk, Dr Mike Charles, Dr Sue Colledge, Helen Keeley, Carole Keepax (Environmental material), Rowena Gale (Charcoal), Robert Cameron (Snails), Dr Peter Toghill and Dr Rob Ixer (Stone), Tim Williams (Tile), Dr Mark Hassall and Dr Roger Tomlin (Inscriptions), Dr Tom Blaag and Graham Morgan (Building materials), Jennifer Hillam, Tony Cl ark and Roger Williams (Dating). The finds were conserved by a number of staff at the Ancient Monuments laboratory principal among whom were Marjorie Hutchison, Barry Knight, John Price, Anna Cselik, and Sharon Strong. On-site conservation was largely carried out by Martin Read, John Tumey, Hazelle Page, and others. Advice on finds storage was provided by Tony Musty and Sara Lunt of the Ancient Monuments division of English Heritage. Administration of the post-excavation project was in the capable hands of the Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit led by Simon Buteux. Archive photography was carried out by Graham Norrie at Birmingham University and by I an Qualtrough and Susanne Yee at Liverpool University.

XV

Summary the west portico. The western part of the north portico was floored with a timber boardwalk; at the eastern end two buildings were constructed. The builder's yard took over the eastern end of the basilica; an area of floor was quarried away, hearths built, a lime pit dug, and several wattle buildings erected. The basilica roof was then taken down and the walls partially demolished. The floor was levelled with earth dumps. Paths made of roofing slates show that the shell of the building was open to public use, but the only sign of occupation was a small lean-to structure in the south-west corner. North of the basilica, only the east end of insula 2 was excavated to depth. An early clay-walled building and adjacent furnace were replaced with a system of water bearing pits and gullies which were filled in the fifth century and covered with a massive post-built building set on clay and cobble post-pads. The area was subsequently levelled with a spread of clay, and a path laid across it. The service area of the baths was refloored with a pebble surface, containing water pipes, which then subsided and was levelled with wet-laid dumps. Beyond the service area, on the edge of insula 5, an early, possibly original, pebble floor was levelled with a thick dump. Into this was cut a system of pits and gullies and two consecutive bow-sided buildings with associated hearths, all surrounded by a stake fence. The area was levelled, and another bow-sided building was constructed. These buildings were in use in the fourth century and may have survived into the fifth. The whole site was then redeveloped. This was a highly organised operation, and the original preparation involved demolishing the north wall of the basilica, laying the rubble as building platforms, and digging out a stretch of the east to west street, which was then filled with gravel and earth. The redeveloped site was dominated by a huge timber-framed building, facing south, and lying across the centre of the north portico, north aisle, and nave, with a narrower timber-framed building attached to its west side. All the buildings of this phase appear to have used the Roman foot as the unit of measurement. To the south were seven lean-to structures of a standard size, and to the west was a masonry lean-to; all were built against the remaining walls of the basilica. Similar building platforms on the west portico provide evidence for three sub-phases of timber buildings, some with associated hearths. Rebuilding extended to insula 2, where two phases of timber-framed buildings were laid out on uniformly sized plots. The second phase buildings were more widely spaced and more substantial, possibly two-storeyed, and some had elaborate porched facades. Evidence for similar buildings was found on the western side of insula 6, and on other sites nearby.

Excavations from 1966-90 on the northern half of insula 5 in the Roman town ofViroconium Cornoviorum, Shropshire, uncovered the entire floor of the basilica, and the frontages of buildings on the adjacent insulae 2 and 6. The basilica was of conventional design with aisles divided from a central nave by colonnades, an annexe to the east, and external porticos to the west and north. To the east lay a service area; there was no portico on the eastern side of the insula. The basilica was laid out in the 120s and completed c 150. The aisles were floored with alternate wide and narrow panels of blue and white geometric mosaics; each narrow panel standing behind one of the colonnade columns. The nave is though to have been floored in opus signinum. The porticos may have been surfaced with pebble and tile, perhaps with flagstones around the doorways. There was little evidence of decorative detail; the aisle columns were Corinthian-style and the portico columns Tuscan. Walls seem to have been plastered, with the white background enlivened by red panels in outline. The original surfaces received extensive wear, were patchily repaired, and finally replaced at some time after AD 270 with opus spicatum (herringbone tile floor) laid in most of the south aisle, the east and west ends of the nave, and in the centre of the north aisle. A small room was partitioned off at the west end of the north aisle, and minor repairs took place in the first half of the fourth century. At some time after AD 367, the basilica was refloored throughout. Two more complete refloorings followed, with extensive patching between. The dividing cross wall of the annexe was demolished and then rebuilt. Its southern room was given over to industrial use, after which a small room was built in the south-east corner. This was demolished at the same time that the annexe roof was taken down and a door knocked through the cross wall. Two open-fronted lean-to structures were built in the north room and rebuilt after the cross wall demolished. Associated with these lean-to buildings were hearths, casting pits, mortar mixing areas, and many dumps of building material, suggesting that the annexe functioned as a builder's yard, probably the base for the maintenance work on the basilica. Outside the basilica, maintenance involved replacing part of the stone conduit along the street edge with a box drain, replacing water pipes, and creating a timber roadside drinking trough or fountain. The road itself was of large cobbles, possibly with a central drain. Subsequently, between the end of the fifth century and the mid sixth, the basilica fell into disrepair and public access was restricted. The portico roof and colonnades were taken down, possibly as a safety measure. Two buildings, one a bakery, were built across xvi

have started by the mid to late sixth century, and the number of sub-phases and the wear on surfaces suggests it lasted at least 75 years. All the late timber-framed buildings were carefully demolished and much of the material was presumably salvaged. One last timber building was constructed over the platform of the main basilica building. To the south, but not necessarily associated with this building, was a burial radiocarbon dated to Cal AD600-790 (Birm-1 045; 1340±60 BP). A ninth-century strap-end found in the south colonnade robber trench shows that stone from the site was being sought, perhaps for the church of St Andrew in Wroxeter village. Thereafter the site was abandoned.

Small temporary booths, perhaps a market, were set up on the south side of the pedestrianised gravel street and a boardwalk was laid out to the north. A small timber building on the remaining cobble street to the west may have controlled access. The cobble street to the east was dumped over and encroached on by the buildings of insula 2. Further east, the service area was also part of the redevelopment, and a series of substantial lean-to buildings and one massive barn was found . On the eastern side of insula 5, a large cistern was constructed, but no buildings. There was no artefactual dating evidence for this phase found anywhere on site, but it is thought to

Resume Les fouilles entreprises entre 1966- 90 dans la moitie nord de 1' insula 5 dans la ville romaine de Viroconium Cornoviorum, dans le comte de Shropshire, ont mis a jour dans sa totalite le sol de la basilique ainsi que les far;ades de bfniments des insulae 2 et 6 qui lui sont adjacentes. La basilique etait de type conventionnel avec des bas-cotes separes de la nef centrale par des colonnades, une annexe a l'est et des portiques externes a l'ouest et au nord. A l'est se trouvait une aire utilitaire; il n'y avait pas de portique du cote est de 1' insula. La basilique fut tracee dans les annees 120 et terminee vers 150. Le sol des bas-cotes etait recouvert de panneaux, alternativement larges et etroits, de mosa"iques geometriques blanches et bleues, chaque panneau etroit se trouvait place derriere une des colonnes de la colonnade. On pense que le sol de la nef avait ete recouvert en opus signinum. Il se peut que le sol des portiques ait ete recouvert de galets et de tuiles, peut-etre avec des pierres autour des encadrements de portes. On n'a trouve que peu de temoignages d'elements de decoration; les colonnes des bas-cotes etaient de style corinthien et celles du portique de style toscan. Il semble que les murs aient ete plihres et qu' on ait ajoute des panneaux rouges sur les contours pour egayer le fond blanc. Les surfaces d'origine presentent d'importantes traces d'usure, elles ont ete reparees par endroits et ont finalement ete remplacees a un certain moment apres 270 ap J-C par de 1' opus spicatum (carrelage en aretes de poisson) pose sur la plus grande partie du bas-cote sud, aux extremites est et ouest de la nef, et au centre du bas-cote nord. Une petite piece avait ete separee par une cloison a l'extremite ouest du bas-cote nord, et des reparations mineures avaient ete effectuees dans la premiere moitie du quatrieme siecle. A un certain moment apres 376 ap J-C, le plancher de la basilque fut totalement remplace. Deux fois encore le plancher fut

entierement remplace avec d'importantes reparations entre temps. Lemur transversal qui separait l'annexe fut demoli puis reconstruit. La piece qui se trouvait au sud fut transferee a un usage industriel, apres quoi une petite piece fut construite dans le coin sud-est. Elle fut demolie en meme temps que le toit de l'annexe etait demonte et qu'une porte etait percee dans le mur de separation. Deux appentis ouverts devant furent construits dans la piece nord, puis reconstruits apres la demolition du mur. Associes a ceux-ci on a trouve des foyers, des fosses de coulee, des endroits pour melanger le mortier, des materiaux de construction, ce qui laisse a penser que l'annexe etait utilisee comme chantier de mar;on et servait probablement de base pour les travaux d'entretien de la basilique. A 1' exterieur de la basilique, le systeme de drainage original, qui consistait en un caniveau de pierre et un tuyau a eau associes a une auge ou une fontaine en bordure de route, fut rem place par un tuyau d ' ecoulement a section rectangulaire et une serie de tuyaux a eau. Plus tard, entre la fin du cinquieme et le milieu du sixieme siecle, la basilique tomba en ruines et l'acces du public fut restreint. Le toit du portique et les colonnades furent demontes probablement par mesure de securite. Deux batiments, dont l'un etait une boulangerie, furent construits en travers du portique ouest. Le sol de la partie ouest du portique nord fut recouvert d'un plancher de bois, a l'extremite est on construisit deux batiments. Le chantier de mar;on s'etendit a la partie est de la basilique; on creusa une partie du plancher, on construisit des foyers, creusa un puits a chaux, et on erigea plusieurs batiments en clayonnage. Le toit de la basilique fut alors demonte et les murs en partie demobs. Le sol fut nivele avec des tas de terre. Des sentiers construits en ardoises provenant du toit montrent que la carcasse du batiment etait ouverte au public, mais le seul signe d' occupation consistait en un petit appentis dans le coin sud-ouest.

XVll

Au nord de la basilique, seule l'extremite est de 1' insula 2 fut fouillee en profondeur. Un premier bariment aux murs d'argile et le four adjacent furent remplaces par un systeme de fosses et de rigoles pour 1' eau, elles furent comblees au cinquieme siecle et on construisit au-dessus un imposant edifice sur poteaux, eux-memes reposant sur une base d'argile et de cailloux. Cet espace fut nivele par l'apport d'une couche d'argile et on fit passer un sentier en travers. Le sol de la partie utilitaire des thermes fut recouvert d'une couche de galets, dans laquelle se trouvait la tuyauterie a eau, qui plus tard s'effondra et fut nivelee avec une couche de remblais humides. Au-dele de la zone utilitaire, au bord de 1' insula 5, un premier niveau, peut-etre le sol de galets original, avait ere nivele avec une epaisse couche de terre dans laquelle on avait creuse un systeme de fosses et de rigoles, et deux edifices consecutifs aux cotes en saillie avec des foyers associes, ils etaient separes de la rue par une palissade de pieux. Cette zone fut nivelee et on y construisit un autre batiment aux cotes en saillie. Ces batiments etaient encore en usage au quatrieme siecle et il se peut qu'ils aient subsiste jusqu'au cinquieme si eel e. L'ensemble du site fur alors remanie. Cette reconstruction fur hautement organisee et au depart les preparatifs comprirent la demolition du mur nord de la basilique, le depot des debris comme fondations pour les prochains edifices et !'excavation d'une partie de la rue est-ouest, qui fut alors comblee avec du gravier tamise et de la terre . Le site reorganise etait domine par un enorme batiment a structure de bois, oriente au sud et construit en travers du centre du portique nord, du bas-cote nord et de la nef, avec un autre batiment a carcasse de bois, plus etroit accole du cote ouest. Tout les edifices de cette phase utilisaient le pied romain comme unite de mesure. Au sud, il y avait sept appentis d'une taille standard, et a l'est il y en avait un en ma ::::::::; \j

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