Ancient Roman Settlement Discovered In Deal, UK

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com - Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient Roman settlement at the site of Wingfield Place development on Freemen’s Way in Deal, UK. Among the ancient ruins, scientists discovered Roman pottery and other artifacts that have been removed, cleaned, and analyzed by specialist archaeologists.

"An archaeological investigation overseen by RPS Consulting Services Ltd (RPS) revealed the site was the location of the southern end of a Roman settlement likely representing a large farm or small hamlet, dating from the 1st to 4th centuries AD.

Image credit: Dandara

The findings included Roman pottery recovered from cremation burials on the site, as well as pits, ditches and postholes which had been cut into the ground and filled up with silt over time; these indicate that there were once substantial timber buildings in place.

During the Roman period, the site appeared to be continually occupied, with boundaries in position for several hundred years, represented by ditches being recut," In Your Area reports.

"Duncan Hawkins is operations director and head of archaeology and heritage at RPS Consulting Services Ltd, which oversaw the dig.

He said: “These findings are incredibly important for the local community.

"Previously artefacts from the Roman era have been found widely across Deal so these discoveries are significant in helping us to understand the nature of Roman settlement across, what is now, the town of Deal.”

 Postholes indicate there were once substantial timber buildings in place. Image credit: Dandara

Pits, ditches and postholes were also cut into the ground and filled up with silt over time.

These indicate that there were once substantial timber buildings in place," Kent Online reports.

Based on an investigation of the site, scientists suggest this place was during the Roman period, continually occupied, with boundaries in position for several hundred years, represented by ditches being recut.

As reported by Kent Online, "the indications are that the settlement extended to the north where many archaeological finds have been recorded over the last hundred years.

Image credit: Dandara

The development of 88 homes on a former school sports field is by housebuilders Dandara.

See also: More Archaeology News

Louise Norman, sales and marketing director at Dandara South East, commented: “It is always incredibly exciting to see what is found at our future sites.

"As a housebuilder we are creating new communities and we feel it is important to understand the history of the area."

Since the discovery and safekeeping of the artifacts Danara has started construction on the site.

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer