More information : The existence of a Roman settlement on the hill at Budbury (ST 821
611), Bradford-on-Avon, was suggested by W.H.Jones in 1859, referring
to the discovery there of a large number of Roman coins. He also drew
attention to traces of earthworks in fields on the promontory, since
levelled and built over. Since his time, finds of stone coffins of
Romano-British date have strengthened the case for a settlement in
the area, although its exact location has yet to be identified.
Excavations in the NE. angle of the defences of the Iron Age fort
(ST 86 SW 20) in 1945 revealed Romano-British sherds in the upper
levels of the inner ditch, and further excavations in the same area
in 1969 yielded coins from Gallienus to Valens and coarse pottery,
including New Forest wares, suggesting late 3rd - 4th century
occupation.
(For details, see map diagram) (1)
Finds from the 1969 excavation are held at Devizes Museum, Devizes 1973.40. (2) |