Monument record 9027 - Saxon Quarry Pit, Hamilton Place

Saxon features were recorded during small-scale excavations at Hamilton Place in 1971, and included this likely quarry pit and two late Saxon sunken dwellings (CHER 9028) (1). The earliest identified post-Roman feature was a large pit, 9.15m wide east – west, which had been excavated through the remains of the Roman barrack buildings to a depth of 2.45m below contemporary ground level (this feature pre-dates the construction of two buildings, CHER 9028). This pit continued beyond the limits of the trench both to the north and to the south, its basal surface was free of staining and there were no direct positive indicators of its function; the excavators suggest that a quarry pit is the most likely explanation. Tip lines were clearly visible in its fills, which contained only residual Roman finds including tile, mortar, pottery and some ashlar blocks. Therefore, while the pit cannot be dated by its finds, its stratigraphic position and its relationship with the two sunken structures erected over and somewhat within its fill implies ‘that it is unlikely to have preceded the first building by any significant length of time’ (1).

<1> Ward, S. W., 1994, Saxon Occupation within the Roman Fortress: Sites Excavated, 1971-81 (Archaeological Service Excavation & Survey Reports) (Monograph). SCH5486.