HIGHLIGHTS:
- An Iron Age village is being excavated by a team of roughly 80 archaeologists from MOLA Headland Infrastructure.
- The iron village grew into a prosperous Roman trading settlement.
- Since the 18th century, the presence of an archaeological site in this area has been known.
What is in the news?
Archaeologists from the HS2 project recently discovered a prosperous Roman trading colony near a village in South Northamptonshire.
Original use of settlement
- The settlement was first used during the Iron Age. The settlement was once made up of over 30 roundhouses. Along an Iron Age Road, these homes were discovered.
- The area is known as Black Grounds because it contains black soil.
- It’s close to the Edgcote and Chipping Warden villages.
- These structures are thought to have been built around 400 BC.
- The settlement grew into a prosperous Roman commercial town.
Settlement expansion
Settlement grew over time, as evidenced by discovery. With the development of new stone buildings and roads throughout the Roman period, it grew increasingly rich. A 10m wide Roman road has been discovered, which is considered as extraordinary in size.
Other Discoveries
- Kilns, workshops, flaming red-colored dirt, and several “beautifully preserved wells” were also discovered by HS2 archaeologists.
- It suggests that bread-making and metal-working operations were place at the time.
- Coins, glass containers, jewellery, highly ornate pottery, and make-up evidence were also discovered.
- The mineral galena, or lead sulphide, was discovered in traces. As make-up, this substance was crushed and blended with oil.
Empire of the Romans
The post-Republican period of ancient Rome was known as the Roman Empire. It was made up of extensive territorial holdings in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa around the Mediterranean Sea.