SDO16782 - 'Roman Britain in 1996: South-Western Counties' Britannia

Brief catalogue of archaeological works carried out on Roman sites in Britain during 1996. River View, Greenings Court (SY694907): a substantial chalk-and-flint foundation apparently running north-east to south-west, over 1 m wide, and overlain by mortar and limestone rubble was observed. It may be part of the northern town wall set on the scarp above the river. Lower down the scarp a dense layer of rubble sealed fourth-century material which in turn sealed a large post-hole and a cut feature containing material of mid-first-century date, perhaps part of an early defensive line. [Excavation for P. and J. Wallis by C. Sparey-Green, who sent information.] Salisbury Street (SY69549075): the construction of an outfall sewer from 10 Salisbury Street to opposite 4 Fordington High Street enable observation of the eastern approaches to the town and the extra-mural structures associated with the Oceanus mosaic discovered in 1927. Near the south-eastern corner of The Old House at Home three courses of Purbeck limestone ashlar with a stone slab against it and 2.7m to the north compacted gravels up to 0.3m deep are suggested to be part of the southern tower of the Roman east gate and the roadway: the first at a depth of 1.2m were on the same general alignment as the Oceanus building further to the east. [Excavation for Wessex Water by P. Woodward and D. Ashford. Mr Woodward sent information.] 33 Trinity Street (SY691905): foundation-pits revealed deposits containing samian of the mid-first-century and building material and occupation debris of the third and fourth centuries. [Observation for P Legg by C Sparey-Green, who sent information.]