Wickwar Roman small town
A Roman settlement of some form had been postulated at Hall End near Wickwar since at least the mid-1970s. Now the existence of the town has been confirmed through extensive geophysical surveying and a number of small trail excavations undertaken by Avon Archaeological Unit between 2001-2004. It is believed to date from between the second and fourth centuries AD. The remains are concentrated along a length of Roman road which runs across the site on a north-south axis through the fields Little and Great Blacklands. Although there is no evidence of a continuation of the metalled Roman road immediately across the Ladden Brook, it is know to exist from aerial photography further to the north of the site.
Geophysical survey results clearly show that the central area of the town comprises a considerable number of stone buildings fronting the road, likely to be of both domestic and commercial function. Beyond these buildings there is evidence of a number of dispersed small enclosures, particularly in the western part of the site. Trail excavations in the north-eastern part of the site have demonstrated the presence of shallow and well preserved archaeological deposits including the remains of timber structures, a series of small lanes and ditches running at right angles to the central road and evidence of industrial activity. Substantial amounts of iron working debris were also recovered, suggesting the presence of an iron furnace.
Numerous contemporary small finds have been reported from this area including metal objects, pottery and dressed stone. Geophysical surveys also revealed the presence of a curved feature in the north-eastern part of the site which may represent a corner of the defensive ditch of a Roman fort. It is of the characteristic 'playing card' shape associated with such features and it is certainly common for a town to be founded on the site of an earlier fort.
It is a scheduled ancient monument and is considered one of national importance.