Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Shepton Mallet
Hob Uid: 1068143
Location : Somerset Mendip Shepton Mallet
Grid Ref : ST6295042450
Summary : Excavations have uncovered the remains of a Roman undefended roadside settlement along the Fosse Way consisting of an irregular scatter of buildings, enclosures, cemeteries and industrial sites, dated from the 1st-2nd cents AD to the 5th.
More information : Excavations and geophysical surveys around Fosse Lane uncovered the remains of a Roman undefended linear settlement running along the Fosse Way, possibly for a kilometre. An irregular pattern of buildings, enclosures, industrial sites and inhumation cemeteries extending back up to 300m on both sides of the Roman road. It dates from the 1st/2nd century AD and occupation of the site extended into the 5th century as suggested by the chi-rho amulet cross found in a grave. A rectangular mausoleum was also uncovered. (1) ST 62884239 An area of the Romano-British linear village at Fosse Lane, Shepton Mallet. The settlement dating to between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, included stone and timber-framed structures fronting the Fosse Way with yards to the rear, and streets running off at right angles to the main road, field boundaries and areas of industrial activity indicated by metal smelting ovens, traces of iron ore residues, slag and lead ingots. The three cemeteries appear to exhibit changes in religious belief and burial practices. Two of the cemeteries include burials orientated north-south and are thought to be pagan; the third, with burials orientated east-west, is interpreted as Christian and has produced a silver amulet cross engraved with a chi-rho. (2)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Proc Somerset Archaeol Nat Hist Soc 134 1990 pp47-55 (PJ Leach)
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Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : English Heritage SAM Amendment 21.6.94
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Neolithic
Display Date : Neolithic
Monument End Date : -2200
Monument Start Date : -4000
Monument Type : Findspot
Evidence : Find

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Settlement, Inhumation Cemetery, Mausoleum, Kiln, Coffin, Town
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit, Find, Conjectural Evidence

Components and Objects:

Period : Neolithic
Component Monument Type : Findspot
Object Type : LITHIC IMPLEMENT
Object Material :

Period : Roman
Component Monument Type : Settlement, Inhumation Cemetery, Mausoleum, Kiln, Coffin, Town
Object Type : AMULET, INGOT
Object Material : Lead

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 22803
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 64 SW 58
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1992-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1991-01-01
End Date : 1991-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 1991-01-01
End Date : 1991-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1991-01-01
End Date : 1991-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1992-01-01
End Date : 1992-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1995-01-01
End Date : 1995-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1996-01-01
End Date : 1997-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 2009-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2011-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 2012-01-01
End Date : 2012-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
Start Date : 2016-01-01
End Date : 2016-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Shepton Mallet