Iron Age and Roman Remains at Bretton Way, Peterborough

An archaeological excavation was carried out by Oxford Archaeology East during October and November 2010 at the Oak Tree Site, Bretton Way, Peterborough. The works were commissioned by CgMs Consulting Ltd on behalf of PJ Care, prior to the construction of a neurological care unit. The site was 0.35ha and lay at approximately 22m OD.
The excavation revealed remains dating from the Late Iron Age to Late Roman periods. Medieval ridge and furrow was also identified.
The Late Iron Age activity was characterised by at least two partially truncated roundhouses and small ditches. An area of Early Roman activity which consisted of two enclosure ditches, extended beyond the limit of excavation to the west. There was significant quantities of 1st to 2nd century AD material incorporated into later features suggest of a contemporary settlement.
A 3rd century AD rectilinear field system extended across two thirds of the site on a north to south and east to west axis. A later 3rd to 4th century AD aisled barn truncated this field system.
A currently unparalleled late-Roman stone-lined feature was an unexpected find. The feature dating to the late 3rd to 4th century AD was 2m square and 2.5m deep. It was lined with re-used stones from a monumental building. The feature's interpretation is currently uncertain although an element of ritual deposition within is possible. It contained a large finds assemblage including pottery, animal bone, leather shoes and a small number of coins.