More information : In 1891 an octagonal stepped well, thought to be Roman or medieval (possibly an early Christian baptismal basin?), was discovered in the grounds of New Wier (SO 435419). It measured about 7 ft diameter at the top, reducing at the bottom to a single stone containing a 6 in diameter hole, in which were found numerous tesserae. The position of the hole was found to be in the course of a stremlet, the overflow of which was conducted to the river in a stone trough. It was presumed that the basin would have filled throught the bottom hole when the streamlet was blocked (1). Two massive stone abutments about 50 yds upstream from the well were examined. The higher one was 12ft in width and separated by a gap of 18 ft from the lower one, which was 18 ft wide (2). The masonry was composed of stones about 3ft in length, some having lewis holes, and the concrete infilling was found to contain Roman flue and roof tiles (3). Between the well and the abutments were the remains of a road from 10 to 12 ft wide, and about 18 inches below ground level (2). There was no evidence of a bridge at this point, but the Domesday Book referred to a mill in the parish (3). (1-3)
An octagonal well, reputedly Roman, at SO 43734178 is in good state of preservation and as described above. Published survey correct. See ground photographs.
At SO 43684180 are two stone abutments, the upstream one being 4.0m wide and complete. The other, 6.0m downsteam is now badly broken up. Roman flue tiles can be seen in the filling. The abutments may have supported a wharf or landing stage and local tradition has it that corn was shipped from here in the 19th c. to be milled across the River at Eaton Bishop. Published survey (252) revised. (4)
Trial excavations and a resistivity survey uncovered remains of the Roman villa including mosaic. The cistern may have been a Roman nymphaeum or water-shrine. (5)
Note on further survey. (6)
HE 13 Listed as the site of a Roman villa. (7) |