The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Thornwell Bronze Age/Romano-British Enclosure

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 04441g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Chepstow
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : ST54009198
Site Type (preferred type first) : Multiperiod Settlement / Multiperiod Enclosure

Summary :
Settlement in use late Neolithic/early Bronze Age through to the Roman period. The site is multi period but main period is Romano British. Information from report by BUFAU.

Description :
Excavation revealed evidence of Neolithic/Bronze Age and Iron Age/Romano British settlement, partially demarcated by walls/banks during its later phases. Six periods of occupation were identified:
Period 1: Late Neolithic or Early-Mid Bronze Age. Represented by finds only.
Period 2: Late Bronze Age. Represented by settlement debris stratified below later banks; structures probably represented by circular or semicircular ?hut (Structure 1).
Period 3: Early Iron Age. Most of finds residual; Structure 1 likely to have continued in use into this period, also another circular building (Structure 6).
Period 4: Late Iron Age/early post-conquest. Settlement ?partially enclosed at SE corner by drystone walls, probably not constructed until very end IA or later; at least two circular buildings.
Period 5: RB late 1st/early 2nd century AD. Rubble accumulating round bases of ?enclosure walls; at least three circular buildings, in SE corner; probably 7 infant burials.
Period 6: RB 3rd-mid 4th century. ?Enclosure walls replaced by stone banks, probably of 2 phases; four possible circular structures, not all contemporary
There appears to be a marked break in the nature of the settlement between Periods 3 and 4, with the Periods 4-6 occupation having smaller, multiple buildings associated with lower status pottery. There does not appear to be any discontinuity between the pre-Roman Iron Age and the Romano-British occupation of the site, and with little apparent Romanisation before the mid 2nd century. Agricultural/domestic in nature , with limited evidence for iron-working. Appears to be towards bottom end of hierarchy of RB sites; though small quantities of window glass, tegula/imbrex, sandstone roof slate and vessel glass hint at possibility of higher status building nearby.

Sources :
CPM , 1990 , Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of Land at Thornwell, Chepstow. ( © CPM)
Evans, E M , 2001 , Romano-British southeast Wales settlement survey: Final report ( © GGAT)
GGAT , 1991 , Proposed Development of Land At Thornwell Farm Chepstow, Field Evaluation ( © GGAT)
Hughes G , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, 1992: Area II Assessment and Post Excavation Research Design
Leach P , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, Gwent. Area 1: A Further Archaeological Assessment.
Leach P , 1992 , Thornwell Farm, Chepstow: Phase 3 Archaeological Investigation. An Interim Report on preliminary survey and excavation work in Area II.
01/pm desc text/GGAT//1991/Thornwell assess/
BUFAU assessment 1992- thornwell farm phase 3
Excavation of a late prehistoric and romano-british settlement at Thornwell farm, Chepstow Gwent : BUFAU Excavation 1992 pub. BAR British Series 244
BUFAU Area II Assessment and Post Ex. Design 1992.

Events :
E000337 : Preliminary Archaeological Assessment of Land at Thornwell, Chepstow. (year : 1990)
E000338 : Thornwell Farm, Chepstow Archaeological Watching Brief (year : 1991)
E000361 : Land at Thornwell Farm,Chepstow (year : 1991)
E000360 : Thornwell Farm, Chepstow, Gwent. Area 1: A Further Archaeological Assessment. (year : 1992)
E003858 : Thornwell Farm, Chepstow: Phase 3 Archaeological Investigation Area II (year : 1992)
E003859 : Thornwell Farm Area II, Chepstow EXCAV (year : 1992)
E004000 : Field Survey Thornwell Farm, Chepstow (year : 1991)
E004001 : Geophysical Survey Thornwell Farm, Chepstow (year : 1992)
E002220 : Newhouse Farm, Manufacturers Village Centre (year : 1995)
E002221 : Newhouse Farm, Village Centre Development (year : 1995)
E002224 : Newhouse Farm (year : 1996)
E001657 : Romano-British Southeast Wales Settlement Survey (year : 1998-2001)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 05374g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 07980g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 07986g

Compiled date : 24-04-1991


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