Fig. 3.24 Roman ceramics by class. (Sites 2 and 11)
The occurrence of late Roman pottery in conjunction with Early Anglian and Mid-Saxon pottery on the site of West Heslerton provides a unique opportunity to examine the interface between the Roman and post-Roman periods on a rural site, likely to have the greatest potential for exploring questions of continuity. Previous work in the area and elsewhere has concentrated on urban and villa sites, whereas an a priori case could be made for continuity of occupation being more likely to occur on low-status rural sites. The apparent provision of late defensive measures at Malton suggests urban occupation continues into the latest Roman period, and it is essential that the interaction with rural sites with such occupation is explored. Recent work on 4th century problems suggests that the time is due for a re-evaluation of the period on a regional basis. Occupation at Malton, the coastal signal stations, villas and rural sites needs to be assessed for contemporaneity and character, and then related to the evidence from neighbouring areas. The pottery from West Heslerton will be of great value to local and regional studies, due to the nature of the site and other associated material, and is anticipated to contribute to a pattern of regional importance, as well as to a national viewpoint on the late Roman to early post-Roman periods.
The Roman ceramics include more than 20,000 sherds. While the bulk of the Roman pottery from West Heslerton appears to be coarse local calcite-gritted fabrics, outnumbering factory products and long-distance imports by a ratio of some 10:1, the occurrence of late fine wares could indicate a focus of late Roman occupation which may post-date the abandonment of some villa sites.
The assemblage can be separated into two groups which reflect both a general distribution of material from the 2nd and 3rd centuries and material derived from the late Roman occupation. An unusual feature of the material derived from the Grubenhäuser is the recovery of a number of individual fine-ware sherds, which may indicate collection of this material as curiosities. The remarkable evidence recovered in 1995 includes an extensive coin series running up to the end of the 4th century, and stratigraphic evidence indicating continuity of use into the 5th century. Although the context of this very late Roman material appears to relate to some sort of ritual rather than domestic activity, the evidence for pottery manufacture and the seemingly very late series make this assemblage of fundamental importance in understanding the final stages of the Roman and sub-Roman period. The relatively intact nature of the deposits at West Heslerton compared to those from the major urban sites provides an opportunity for us to examine in detail the whole question of ceramic production at the end of and immediately following the Roman period.
Although a few sherds of Samian occur, the bulk of the pottery appears to be of late Roman date and probably mostly 4th century. Coarse wares of local calcite-gritted type predominate, but there are also fine wares, some from outside the area. The general condition is good to excellent, with little evidence for notable abrasion. No problems are anticipated for long-term storage. The collection and recording strategy sharply reduced the likelihood of any bias in the pottery (see also 4.9 The Roman Pottery Assessment).
Fig. 3.24 Roman ceramics by class. (Sites 2
and 11)
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Last updated: Tue Dec 15 1998