A large deep ditch which follows the alignment of a track way ditch identified in 2004. This was identified in both Trenches 1 a(F8) and T2 (F11).<1>

During the 2007 excavation, it was ascertained that there were deep ditches defining either side of the north-south Roman track or droveway. The eastern was 3.4m wide and a maximum of 0.80m deep below the excavated site level. Its profile was not smooth, but had a slightly steeper-sided central section which may indicate that the ditch had, not surprisingly, been cleaned out. The western ditch was 3.0m wide, and a maximum of 1.20m deep below the excavated site level. Its profile was smoother than its eastern counterpart, and it had a flat bottom which was 0.40m wide. Ceramic dating evidence for the two ditches differs.

The western ditch contained Roman sherds of the 1st or 2nd century AD and an intrusive post-medieval sherd, whereas the eastern contained sherds of the early to mid 2nd to the late 3rd or 4th century AD. As it is assumed that the ditches were contemporary, it can be argued that they were probably first dug in the 1st-2nd century AD and probably remained open (with numerous cleanings-out?) until at least the late 3rd century, after which they were filled in. This is broadly similar to the dating of the finds from the excavated segments of these ditches in Alienated Land Area J1 South and Area J1 North on the other side of Circular Road North. Notably, a 2nd-century coin hoard was recovered within the western roadside ditch in Area J1 South.

Several patches of gravel or ‘metalling’ were recorded in between the two ditches of the track or droveway. Two such patches are described in the site notes as ‘hard gravel with pea grit on top’, a good sign of a solid surface. It is presumed that these were either fragments of an original metalled surface, or else small patches of metalling laid down to cover local wet patches. Similar patches of gravel or metalling were noted where this track or droveway continues north and north-west into Alienated Land Area J1.<2>