Part of a series of bulletins from the BAS excavations at Wickham House

Follow the project on our YouTube channel

Attendees: Andrew H. Andrew R, Tim H, Tim L, Jean, Geoff and Keith

The high-resolution earth resistance survey from Day #6 when processed revealed a number of anomalies to the south of the site aligned N-S rather than aligned NW-SE to the Roman Road which was an unexpected result as shown in Figure 1. Give that these features are across the Roman road it is likely that they represent a post-Roman phase of occupation and may have utilised the metalled road surface as a foundation for buildings.

To begin to investigate these new features as well as the Roman road and possible Roman period occupation on the NE side of the Roman road an 8n x 1m trench (2A) was opened across these features as shown in Figure 2. The turves were removed by hand and work began by Andrew H, Tim H and Nigel B to excavate the topsoil and determine the level of the first archaeological context. Sondages were opened across trench 2A to determine the depth of the upper archaeological deposits.

In Trench 1A work continued with Jean, Andrew R and Tim L to remove the pebble/flint deposit to reveal the NW side of the ditch revealed on day #5. This took most of the day, but by late afternoon this was achieved. After a quick clean the ground was sprayed with water and covered to allow final cleaning to take place the following day.