Whitestaunton Manor House, Whitestaunton, Somerset - An Archaeological Evaluation and an Assessment of the Results

Wessex Archaeology

The evaluation consisted of four trenches excavated within the Scheduled Area to re-examine the remains exposed in 1882. An additional nine evaluation trenches and six areas of geophysical survey were undertaken outside the Scheduled Area, in the grounds of the Manor House and in the fields beyond, in an attempt to locate other structures or features of Roman date and to provide a context for the known remains.

The results of the evaluation confirmed that the Scheduled Monument was a Roman building, although substantially ‘restored’ as part of the garden of the Manor House. Finds suggest that the restoration incorporated Roman building material and pottery from a wide variety of sources, almost certainly derived from the antiquarian collection of Sir Charles Elton, owner of the Manor at the time of the original discovery. Further
interpretation is constrained by the small extent of the excavated trenches and the difficult conditions created by a high water table.

The Roman building is tentatively identified as a bathhouse, situated to take advantage of natural springs, with signs of high status, including painted wall plaster and polychrome mosaic flooring. Probable features include a large mosaic lined pool, up to 35 square metres in extent, a range of heated rooms, and smaller plunge pools. Decorative features and pottery suggest the structure dates from the 3rd or 4th century. No evidence was found to indicate domestic occupation, or for further ranges of building in the immediate vicinity. There were no finds of an overtly religious or votive character.

No other Roman buildings, deposits or features were located outside the Scheduled Area, although it seems probable that domestic buildings lie somewhere close by.