Roman occupation (and slight prehistoric activity, see 16847). Trial trenching and observations in contractors' test pits from May to December 1994 showed evidence of a Roman settlement. The features recorded date from the first century AD, these include parts of two shallow ditches containing Sheepen-type pottery and two pits. Second to third century occupation is attested by a slot likely to have housed the ground-plate for a timber-framed structure; a small keyhole oven; a yard surface of compacted gravel; a fenceline; two parallel ditches and a hypocaust. During machining in the vicinity of the hypocaust further features were observed and limited excavation of a rectangular pit produced a quantity of 3rd-century pottery. <1> The features are interpreted as a possible villa, of a Romanised native type rather than that of Roman colonists.<1>

Site Assessment = The archaeological remains appear to lie relatively undisturbed either below the recent redevelopment or in the open ground to the east, and thus await the opportunity for more detailed excavation. The significant features excavated in the recent work were carefully backfilled and consolidated.<1>