An archaeological trench dug along the line of Audlett Drive when the new road was being built found Roman field ditches. Roman pottery, a Roman bronze brooch and a coin dated 375-378 AD were also found.
Record Type Archives
Radley Road
A geophysical survey and excavation on this field in 2013 found Roman ditches which formed a system of small enclosures. Postholes from timber buildings, animal bones, and pottery mainly dating to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD were found. The site had been excavated previously, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, by a group from Radley College.
35 East Saint Helen Street
AAAHS excavated in the rear of this property in 1993. Discoveries included traces of a 19th century stone-mason’s yard, 17th and 18th century rubbish pits, and a large rectangular stone-lined pit with an arch on one side. This may have been a soakaway or a cess-pit. It had been filled with demolition debris, including pieces from a stone chimney which may have been medieval. Medieval and Roman pottery was also found.
Winsmore Lane
An excavation by AAAHS in 1987-88, before Neave Court (now demolished) was built found medieval rubbish pits and wells. Much medieval pottery, including two glazed jugs, was found. A very small amount of Roman pottery was also found.
West St Helen Street
An excavation in 1971, during the building of the St Helen’s Court estate, found two late Iron Age or early Roman pits, a medieval ditch and a stone cellar.
Fitzharris Arms
Remains of a Roman building, dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, were investigated during builoding work here in 2012. Industrial waste (slag) suggests that it could have been a smithy or workshop. Early Iron Age pottery was also found.
Air Balloon, Ock Street
An excavation was carried out in 2003 when the Air Balloon public house was being redeveloped for housing. Rubbish pits, postholes and a possible ditch were found, with medieval pottery. The pottery dates to the 11th to 14th centuries, showing that people were living in this part of Ock Street, close to the Ock Bridge, at that time.
Bath Street
Excavations in the rear garden of a house in Bath Street between 1990 and 1998 found Roman ditches and five Roman cremation burials, two late Saxon ditches, and medieval and later features. Much pottery of different periods was also found.
Thrupp
AAAHS excavations in advance of gravel quarrying between 1970 and 1984 found traces of Iron Age farming settlements overlooking the Thames floodplain. Some early Roman pottery and ditches were also found.
Lombard Street (West St Helen Street)
An excavation on a vacant plot in 1972, before the Salvation Army Citadel was built, found an Iron Age posthole, an Iron Age pit containing horse skulls, a Roman ditch, foundations of a medieval building, medieval and later rubbish pits and a deep build-up of soil in a former garden.