Cunetio Roman Town, Mildenhall, Marlborough, Wiltshire - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results

Wessex Archaeology

Cunetio is a Scheduled Monument (AM666) of national importance. Aerial photographs and early geophysical survey, coupled with very limited excavation, have established the ground plan of the town but almost nothing is known of its significance and changing form during the Roman period.

The project aimed to carry out a limited programme of non-intrusive investigations and evaluation trenching over three days. Fieldwork consisted of seven machine-excavated trial trenches, geophysical and topographic surveys. The high quality and substantial nature of Building 1 in the north-west corner of the town was confirmed but little additional dating evidence was recovered. This structure is likely to have consisted of more than a single storey, with a stylish, fully Romanised interior. The remains of Building 8, the possible mansio, survived less well. No firm evidence for the date of its construction was found but there was some evidence to suggest that it was during the early Roman period. This building was probably roofed in stone, again with a Romanised interior.

A ditch, located to the south of the 4th century AD stone defences of the town, probably relates to the earlier, earth defensive circuit. No trace of the double ditch forming the main earth circuit was discovered, but these features could have been masked by the remains of a probable chalk rampart, itself perhaps associated with
the later, stone defences. The monumental south gate measured 4.6m from north to south. Although largely consisting of mortared flint rubble, the south side at least was faced with limestone and Greensand blocks. A small, flint-lined post-hole may provide evidence for scaffolding required during the construction. The south-west corner of the defences was found to be extensively robbed.

Elsewhere, the evaluation trenches clearly demonstrated the survival of substantial, stratified archaeological remains, closely corresponding with the evidence from aerial photographs and geophysical survey. Considerable robbing of the main structural stone was evident in all areas of the town, with recent plough damage apparent in some areas, especially Building 8 and the south-west corner of the defences, where the ploughsoil is shallowest.