Project Timescape

The development of Dorchester appears to have been accompanied by a redefinition of the whole landscape in the Wittenham area.

Roman Finds
Roman coins and pottery have been recovered from a back garden in Little Wittenham, and there is a reputed Roman road leading up from the river.

Roman Settlements Around Hill Farm and Little Wittenham
The enclosed settlement north of Little Wittenham contains predominantly early Roman pottery. This suggests that this settlement may not have lasted into the later Roman period.

The Hill Farm settlement consisted of at least three rectangular enclosures.

The largest enclosure may have been the focus of the Early Roman settlement, as 1st/2nd century pottery has been recovered. See Oxford Archaeology's report for futher details.

Roman Burials at Castle Hill
Castle Hill retained a role as local burial place throughout the Roman period. Evidence of cremations and inhumations have been found.

At least one Roman inhumation burial has also been found in the settlement next to Castle Hill. Such burials are quite common on settlements in the later Roman period, echoing earlier Iron Age practises.

Re-occupation of Castle Hill
Evidence found within Castle Hill suggests that the interior of the hill fort was reoccupied for domestic occupation during the 4th century AD, and probably in the middle or latter half of the century.

This could relate to a change in belief. As Christianity became the official Roman religion in the early 4th century, this may have led to the abandonment of the hill fort as a religious focus, allowing domestic occupation instead. Evidence includes fragments of glass vessels, iron nails, fittings and tools, coins, animal bones and pottery. The animal bones include introduced species such as chickens.

The Roman town of Dorchester-on-Thames
Dorchester-on-Thames was occupied until the very end of the Roman period.

Find out more... Oxford Archaeology BBC History - Romans