More information : SK 658 928. A small Roman fort with three ditches was
observed in 1944 (a) and subsequent years, near where the Roman road
from Lincoln-Doncaster crossed the R. Idle. 'No traces are visible on
the surface, as the site is in arable land and has long been
ploughed. There is a gate in the centre of each of the north-east and
south-west sides, and a crop-mark recorded in photographs seems to
indicate the line of the Roman road passing the fort at a distance
of about 100 ft. from the north-east side."
The enclosure has been surveyed and trenched. 'The ditches were
V-shaped with a maximum width of 12 ft. and just under 5 ft. deep,
and had been waterlogged; fourth century pottery was found in the
upper part of the filling'. (1-1b)
The triple-ditched enclosure at Scaftworth was dug by J. Barlett & D.
N. Riley. It encloses a little under an acre measuring 205 ft. by 185
ft.; all the pottery found in the lower part of the ditch-filling was
fourth century and there was a bronze imitation of a siliqua of
Julian the Apostate. (c). (2)
Fragments of pottery and part of a spear were found in 1750 at
Scaftworth. Intrenchments visible late 18th c. were supposed in
consequence of this discovery to be the remains of a Roman
station. (3)
"Until recently an earthwork similar to that at Martin, in the parish
of Harworth, was situated about 1/2 mile to the east of Bawtry; it is
figured in some of the old county maps. (a) During the enclosure of
the common several specimens of Roman antiquities were found ..."
[See SK 69 SW/1 for the similar earthwork at Martin]. (4)
The fort was sited from the A.P. [AO 59/315/5] centred at SK 6590
9276. Although under growing crop, the area is still prolific in
pottery yield. A quantity of sherds, mainly coarse ware, was
recovered from the surface during an inspection of the site.
The centre of this area has been surveyed on the 25" A.M.
No traces of the Roman road exist in the vicinity of the crop mark
referred to by authority (1). (5)
No change. (6)
Not accepted for 4th edition Map of Roman Britain. To be excavated in
1980 by D.L. Kennedy of Sheffield University. (7)
(SK 65919276) Roman Fortlet (R) (Site of) (NAT). (8)
SK 659928. Rectangular camp, listed under Roman Remains. (9)
Todd considers the enclosure as part of the Theodosian recovery of the province, its position policing the route from the Trent Valley towards Doncaster and thence into the Vale of York. Superficially, this site would seem to represent a purely military post, as it lacks any form of civil settlement. (10-11) |