Multi floor layers in the Roman building
Time frame: Early April 2014
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Wardell Armstrong Archaeology is currently excavating at Blackfriars in Leicester, where Watkin Jones are developing the site for potential student accommodation.
Images courtesy of Adam Slater.
Feature image: Inside the Roman building with floor layers exposed.
The last few days been predominantly involved with the consolidation of the site, with recording, interpretation and understanding the archaeology before its removal in the next phase of excavation.
Recording an Iron Age pit and Roman consolidation layers
Outside of the Roman building, in the north and east of the site, it appears that Roman activity consisted of ground consolidation, with undulations such as Iron Age pits, being backfilled to make the ground usable.
North-eastern corner of Roman building
Inside the building, hints of multiple phases and uses are beginning to become clear. Multiple floor layers with associated burning and a kiln tend to indicate some kind of industrial activity may have been occurring. An earlier fragment of wall has been exposed but whether this is an internal division of the currently recognised structure or represents an earlier Roman structure is currently unclear.
An overview of the site at Blackfriars, Leicester
These multiple phases of masonry are also reflected in the column bases as the construction, spacing and alignment of these varies hinting at a change in usage and possibly status, over time.
Interesting artefacts unearthed
Notable finds this week have included a fragment of Roman tile with multiple dog paw prints and a fragment of carved stone. The dating of the carved stone is currently unknown but stylistically, it could be medieval and may support the notion that the stone from the Roman building was robbed and used in the construction of medieval buildings in the area.
Another Roman tile with multiple dog paw prints!
A carved stone of unknown date, possibly medieval
A whetstone of unknown date from Blackfriars
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Watkin Jones who are developing the site for proposed student accommodation, are funding the excavation and, in agreement with the City Archaeologist, will be sending out regular updates on the progress of the excavation and on the finds which are being recovered via
The aim is to ensure that information on the excavation is put into the public domain and that the local community, as well as the wider public, have an opportunity to share in this interesting archaeological project.
Proposed Blackfriars student accommodation by Watkin Jones - the
north-east elevation to the viaduct
