HS2 dig unearths Roman market town in Northamptonshire: Ancient artefacts reveal how 30 Iron Age roundhouses were ‘Romanised’ into a wealthy trading settlement almost 2,000 years ago
Archaeologists uncover numerous Roman ancient artefacts on a route of the HS2 high-speed railway project
Findings include cremation urns, gaming pieces, shackles, a snake-head brooch and over 300 Roman coins
Experts say there was originally an Iron Age settlement at the site which vastly expanded in the Roman period
Archaeologists working on HS2 have shed light on how an Iron Age village in Northamptonshire was transformed into a wealthy Roman trading town bustling with traffic almost 2,000 years ago.
Stunning discoveries made during a dig of the site near the village of Chipping Warden – known as Blackgrounds after the black soil found there – include cremation urns, gaming pieces, shackles, a snake-head brooch and more than 300 Roman coins.
Evidence suggests the settlement was established in about 400 BC when it was made up of more than 30 roundhouses, but that it greatly expanded during the Roman era around 300-400 AD, with new stone buildings and roads.
A team of around 80 archaeologists working on the HS2 high-speed rail project have spent 12 months excavating Blackgrounds, which is one of more than 100 sites to have been examined between London and Birmingham since 2018.
Experts say the remains of the Roman trading town mark ‘one of the most significant archaeological sites’ uncovered during the controversial £100 billion train line project.
Before HS2 workers build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, an ‘unprecedented’ amount of archaeological work is taking place along the line of route, to ensure concrete isn’t dumped over the secrets of Britain’s past.
This excavation work offers a ‘unique opportunity’ to tell the story of Britain, according to HS2 Ltd, the state-funded body responsible for delivering the line, although so far its construction been hugely controversial for its destruction of historic buildings and nature spots.
The presence of such a significant archaeological site in the area has been known since the 18th century, but recent geophysical surveys have revealed the original Iron Age part of the site and the artefacts from the Roman settlement.
Site manager James West, from the Museum of London Archaeology Headland Infrastructure, which has been excavating the site, said the dig had ‘surpassed all expectations’.
‘This is certainly one of the most impressive sites MOLA Headland Infrastructure has discovered whilst working on the HS2 scheme,’ West said.
‘A particular highlight for me has been understanding the emerging story of Blackgrounds, which we now know spans multiple time periods.
‘Uncovering such a well-preserved and large Roman road, as well as so many high quality finds, has been extraordinary and tells us so much about the people who lived here.
‘The site really does have the potential to transform our understanding of the Roman landscape in the region and beyond.’
Running through the site is a Roman road measuring 32 feet or 10 metres wide, which is huge by typical Roman standards – most Roman roads were around 13 feet (4 metres).
Source: SciTechDaily
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HS2 dig unearths Roman market town in Northamptonshire: Ancient artefacts reveal how 30 Iron Age roundhouses were ‘Romanised’ into a wealthy trading settlement almost 2,000 years ago