More information : (SJ 541416) Mediolanum Roman Settlement (R). (1)
Although Iter II and Iter X of the Antonine Itinerary contain textual difficulties and the Ravenna Cosmography does not give distances (giving only a simple list), the identification of Whitchurch with Mediolanum seems guaranteed by the distance from Wroxeter according to Iter II. This is given as 23 Roman miles via Rutunium, closely comparable with the actual distance of 20 1/2 English miles.
Until recent excavation along the line of the Roman road in question, Wroxeter to Chester, (RR 6a) the only archaeological reference to Whitchurch of any importance was a brief note by Haverfield (a) in his survey of Roman remains in Shropshire. Although during the early years of this century, Roman finds were accumulating in the local museum, they were never published.
The first positive structural evidence for a Roman settlement at Whitchurch was in 1964 during ground clearance prior to redevelopment (at SJ 5403 4160) in Newtown. Excavations were carried out during 1965-66 by G D B Jones and P V Webster for the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works.
The various phases of occupation at Mediolanum may be summarized as follows:
1. Initial occupation with timber buildings, pre AD 75 and associated with the period of legionary occupation at Wroxeter. Phase ended with dismantling of structures.
2. Flavian auxiliary fort from c AD 75 identified by discovery of western defences and part of internal buildings. Demolished soon after AD 100.
3. There was gradual development of the site as a civil settlement. Timber buildings (several of industrial character) occupied much of the site by the mid 2nd century.
4. Substantial stone buildings (I and III) replaced timber structures in the area excavated, suggesting town's property and expansion reached its height in the late 2nd and 3rd century.
5. By the beginning of the 4th century, Building I had been replaced by its successor (II) flanked to the East by late timber structures of uncertain purpose. The settlement appears to have been contracting along the line of the present High Street by the early 4th century and occupation does not seem to have lasted long into the second half of the century.
Material found is currently stored in the Manchester Museum. Most of the casual finds in store at Whitchurch awaiting new museum premises point unmistakably to the cemetery area (qv SJ 54 SW 4).
Finds associated with the Roman occupation of Mediolanum include:
1. Pottery found in 1903 on the site of the Poultry Market at SJ 5414 4161.
2. Early 2nd century pottery and bronze lamp found 1903 on the site of Town Hall at SJ 5415 4160.
3. A small pot (date not recorded) was recovered from garden of the 'Plume of Feathers' Inn at SJ 5422 4128.
4. A dupondius of Vespasian (AD 77-78) in fine condition was found in 1958 on the surface of the Roman road on the site of Lloyd's Bank (at SJ 5420 4147). This is now on display in the bank, along with a rotary quern-stone and 1st to 4th century pottery.
5.In about 1960, the demolition of the 18th century premises of Barclay's Bank in the High Street (at SJ 5420 4152) produced sherds of a grey ware poppyhead beaker, and of cooking pots etc. at a depth of around 8ft. This was possibly a Roman rubbish pit.
6. A Trajan gold coin was found in 1969 in the yard of the Victoria Hotel at SJ 5410 4160. The coin is now on display in the hotel. (2-9)
The excavated area has now been redeveloped. Pottery found in other parts of the town is in store at Whitchurch, awaiting new museum premises. (10)
Name 'MEDIOLANVM' accepted for 4th edition RB Map. (11)
Excavations on land immediately adjoining the east wall of the Horse and Jockey public house (location not given) revealed Roman and Medieval remains. This site was formerly occupied by a 19th century cottage which had a cellar which had destroyed all the previous levels. The east wall of the cottage incorporated the timber-framed wall of a 17th century building which had been cut through two levels of cobbled yard. The floor of this building overlay a burnt clay floor of a 14th century building.
Finds included "some remarkable groups of post-Medieval pottery" and clay pipes. Under the Medieval cobbling was a 2nd century Roman flagon containing cremation remains, and a coin of Constantine the Great. (12)
A trial excavation behind the National Westminster Bank, High Street,had located stratified levels associated with 2nd century pottery. Further excavations took place in 1977 and uncovered two Roman & 2nd century AD. A second area produced only post-Medieval finds.
Excavations by Professor Barri Jones in March 1977 revealed the following sequence of structures:-
1) A complex of ditches of two Roman forts, one Flavian.
2) Timber buildings of the early 2nd century.
3) Back filling of the open ditches with demolished buildings soon after 170, and the erection of a clay rampart as the defences of the civil town.
4) The insertion of a masonary wall in front of the rampart at a later date. (13) |