Monument Number 193540 |
| Hob Uid: 193540 | |
Location :
Somerset
South Somerset
Somerton
|
| Grid Ref : ST4799027500 |
| Summary : Roman building, possibly a Roman villa, has been identified to the southwest of Somerton. Excavation has located hypocaust tiles, flue tiles and pottery. An Iron Age brooch was found nearby. Medieval pottery, mainly 12th-13th century in date has also been recovered. |
More information : (ST 47992750) Roman Building (GS) (site of) (1)
"The site of a Roman building lies approximately half a mile to the SW of Somerton on the Sutton Road" north of the road between two right angled turns, just to the east of an orchard. Near to the site, a bronze fibula was found prior to 1886 and is now in the Norris collection in Taunton Castle Museum. "It is attributed to La Tene 1 or Marnian type". Dewar inquired of Searle if he had any further information on sites in the area. Searle informed him of a well in the orchard which was referred to "on what grounds he did not know as a Roman Well". Dewar and Searle then inspected the fields around the area of the well; hypocaust tiles were noted but no foundations were revealed in trial trenches. Black RB pottery of 4th cent.date was found on the other side of the road but again no foundations were found. Mr H J Penrose, a test pilot, had observed some slight crop markings in a field further to the east. A second trial trench revealed a laid floor either of mortar patched with lias or vice-versa. A number of 4th century type sherds were lying on the floor and the whole was completely sealed by a heavy fall of lias masonry "lying in the manner of a pack of slipped cards". Flue tiles were also found 100 yds north of the site. (2-3)
A quantity of Norman pottery (12th to 13th century) was found nearby, at "A" (ST 47932752). (4)
Scheduled as a Roman Villa. (5)
Air photos reveal no definite proof of a building. (6)
This field is under pasture. There are no surface finds to indicate the site of the Roman building. (7)
The site was under potato crop at time of field investigation. No further information was obtained by local enquiry. (8)
SO 56 Listed as the possible site of a Roman villa. (9) |