More information : (SO 440428) Magna (Roman Station) (R) (1)
The site has been known since Leland's time, and for long was believed to be Ariconium. Various diggings have been made in it, and organised excavations in 1912-13 and 1924-25 by G H Jack and A G Hayter. (2)
The area of the town, is approximately 22 acres. It was surrounded by a wall, of which some is stilll visible in NW corner, backed by a bank. A section dug in 1925 showed that the wall was "about 7 ft wide and consisted of rough cobbles set in clay": no trace of a ditch. Stukeley showed four gates - one near each of the NE and W corners and one in each of the S. sides, but none in the E wall, where the owner (Mr Hardwick) told Jack he had found one. Inside the walls two streets and possibly a third have been identified, also a number of buildings, mainly in the eastern half. The streets were well metalled and drained. On the evidence of coins and pottery occupation began under Vespasian (Frontinius); the coins, included a hoard of 51 in a hypocaust, end with Gratian (ob.383); "one indistinct coins only of Arcadius or Theodosius or Valentinian II may be as late as 392". "Mr. W.H. Stevenson has suggested that the name 'Magonsetum', the oldest recored form (811 AD) of the English Magesaetas .... may enshroud the name of Magni ...". Full report of 1912-13 and 1924-25 excavations in (3), with plans, ills. and c. Plan in (2). (3)
Finds of pendants for military horse trappings suggest a military origin for Magnis (4). Excavations in 1956-62 by F.G. Heys and M.J. Thomas revealed substantial occupation in the 1st and 2nd centuries along the line subsequently taken by the rampart. Not earlier than the middle of the 2nd century an earth rampart and ditch were constructed, and a stone wall was added in front of the rampart between then and the mid-4th century, when the west gateway was built, bastions added at intervals along the wall, and a new ditch made. Occupation continued into the 5th century (5).
MAGNIS accepted for RB 4 (8). (4-8)
A piece of walling at SO 43844287 and a stretch 20.0m long centred at SO 44104261 are all that remain of the Roman town wall. Elsewhere the perimeter is marked by a scarp slope 2.1m high inplaces, the south-west side of which has been destroyed by the modern road. There is no trace of any building or roads inside the banks.
Published survey (25") revised. (9)
Description of the layout of the Roman town. (10)
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