Basic Information
- Mausoleum base and related features
Sub Groups
Group Description
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- In the south east of Zone 3 was the remains of a funerary monument and possible mausoleum. Masonry structure {1839}, formed a stone lining for burial 1840. In the centre of {1839} lay a four tiles, dated to AD. 50 -160, although given that they were probably reused the dates should not necessarily be seen as corresponding to the burial. The dimensions of tiles were 400mm x 275mm x 35mm. Underlying the placed tiles was a gravel deposit running down the central axis, which contained a lot of burnt bone. This was 100% sampled as <218>. A few nails were recovered, which gives an indication that a wooden substructure or coffin may have once been present. The stone feature was built into cut [1840], a foundation trench that was noted to be deeper to the north than it was to the south. Foundation trench [1840] cut into (1955), the mixed dump deposit fill of [1954]. From the evaluation and later realized to be associated with the mausoleum base was square cut [318], filled with (317). Of high significance in this deposit was the find of three disc-mouthed flagons identified as products of the Little and Much Hadham kilns of north-east Hertfordshire. Two were complete and one was near complete, except for a broken neck. They were found standing upright along the alignment of the western side of the mausoleum base, and were clearly deliberately placed in this position, probably a form of ritual deposit.
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- Chaz Morse
- 31-10-2011
Dating Information
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- In the centre of {1839} lay a four tiles, dated to AD. 50 -160, although given that they were probably reused the dates should not necessarily be seen as corresponding to the burial. From the evaluation, a square cut associated with the mausoleum base was found to hold three disc mouthed flagons, seen as votive placements for the burial feature, and these were dated to 250-400AD. This consolidates the view that the tiles were reused at a later date, and stratigraphically this feature is dated to the latter end of the Roman occupation.
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- Chaz Morse
- 31-10-2011