Corunna Barracks, Ludgershall, Wiltshire - Post-excavation Assessment

Wessex Archaeology

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned to undertake archaeological excavations of two discrete areas within the former Corunna Barracks, Ludgershall, Wiltshire, SP11 9RP.

The main phase of excavation, coinciding with an area of approximately 500 m2 centred on NGR 426050 150205. A further phase of excavation, covering an area of 35 m2 centred on NGR 426075 150225, was undertaken approximately 20 m to the north-east.

The excavations were precipitated by the unexpected discovery of ancient human remains during preparatory groundworks associated with the redevelopment of the site as part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s Army Basing Programme (ABP).

Despite widespread horizontal truncation and occasional areas of more intense modern disturbance, a limited range and number of archaeological features were identified, excavated and recorded
during the fieldwork.

These related to two distinct phases of activity. The earliest of these phases was evidenced in the form of a substantial late prehistoric ditch. The date and function of the ditch could not be conclusively determined, although it is most likely to represent part of an Early–Middle Iron Age (700–100 BC) enclosure, which may have surrounded a settlement.

The second phase of activity was represented by a group of 14 graves containing inhumation burials. These formed a small cemetery of probable mid-late Romano-British date (AD 120-410), which presumably contained the remains of the inhabitants of a nearby, rural settlement.

No other features contemporary with either phase of activity were present on the site, although a small quantity of residual artefactual material, including worked flint and late prehistoric and Romano-
British pottery was recovered from later depositional contexts.

The remains described here are of local and regional significance, and have the potential to enhance our understanding of the occupation of the area during late prehistory, and to add to the growing body of data regarding mortuary practises of the Romano-British period in Wiltshire and information relating to the local population at this time.