Charting the microstratigraphic life-cycle of an early Roman urban property, Roman Silchester, UK
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 23/01/2017

In Roman Britain, domestic urban properties are dynamic spaces with constantly evolving architectural forms. The evidence for super-structure components can often be ephemeral as these properties have timber or earthen walls, which are frequently truncated by later building foundations or, as observed at Roman Silchester, by the trenches of Antiquarian excavators. Previous research at Silchester has integrated thin-section micromorphology and experimental archaeology to characterise sediments and occupation deposits to identify doorways roofed, semiroofed, and open spaces within the properties in order to understand their architectural form.
Building on this previous research, this paper will chart, using a microstratigraphic approach, the evolution of a dynamic property, early Roman timber building 8, which stood from the period immediately after the Roman conquest (A.D. 43) until c. A.D. 125/50. By the end of the life of this property, it had taken on an interesting architectural form comprising a ‘zig-zagged’ frontage abutting the north-south road, and had become poorly maintained with in situ evidence for metalworking activities. Micromorphology has demonstrated that in its earlier phases, the entrance way to the building had moved several times. There is also evidence for earthen floors, and the division of spaces. Earlier uses of this property may include the manufacture of glass, and spaces where animals were stabled.
The application of a spatial and diachronic microstratigraphic approach presents the opportunity to examine, at high resolution, the finer details of the daily lives of its inhabitants. In particular, this paper will examine how did the inhabitants structure their space? Were there divisions of craft and domestic activities? Early Roman structures at Silchester and elsewhere in Roman Britain are frequently single-roomed structures with central hearths. This is arguably a continuation of singleroomed Iron Age architecture. How does the architectural form of early Roman timber building 8 adapt and deviate from this model? Are changes due to a process of acculturation?

Author - Dr. Banerjea, Rowena, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom (Presenting author)
Co-author(s) - Fulford, M. G., University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
Co-author(s) - Clarke, A. S., University of Reading Reading, United Kingdom
Co-author(s) - Barnett, C., University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
Co-author(s) - Pankhurst, N., University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom