Cite this as: Kirby, M. and Walker, J. (with contributions by D. Alldritt, S. Anderson, A. Clarke, D. Griffiths, C. Hills, F. Hunter, J. Thoms, K. Hartley and F. Wild) 2023 The Excavation of a Romano-British Site at Netherhall Road, Maryport, Internet Archaeology 61. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.61.7
A programme of archaeological trial trenching and excavation was undertaken by CFA Archaeology Ltd between Maryport (Alavna) Roman Fort and Netherhall Road on the north-eastern outskirts of Maryport from 2010 to 2016. The work confirmed the presence of a large sub-square ditched enclosure with two phases of construction, which is interpreted as a Romano-British rural farm site. It contained a variety of pottery deposited in its ditches, dating from the 1st to the 4th century CE.
A linear feature, thought to be the line of a Roman road, did not produce definitive evidence of being a Roman road, but a Roman-period cremation cemetery was uncovered adjacent to it. One of the burials excavated held two pottery vessels of mid-3rd-century CE or slightly later date, one of which contained the cremated remains of an adult female along with other finds, while a second burial contained the cremated remains of a young child within a decorated Rhenish beaker.
Corresponding contact: Kathleen O'Donnell
katyodonnell@cfa-arch.co.uk
CFA Archaeology Ltd
Magnus Kirby
CFA Archaeology Ltd
Jamie Walker
CFA Archaeology Ltd
Figure 1: Location map and site plan
Figure 2: Aerial photograph of site looking south-west
Figure 3: Plan of cremation cemetery
Figure 4: Cremation burial 064/065 pre-excavation
Figure 5: Cremation burial 064/065 post-excavation
Figure 6: Plan of parallel track and ditch 004/006
Figure 7: Sections across parallel track and ditch 004/006
Figure 8: Section across ditch 006/011
Figure 9: Section across ditch 006/011
Figure 10: Plan of Enclosure 200
Figure 11: Aerial photograph of Enclosure 200
Figure 12: Sections across Enclosure 200 and Ditch 957
Figure 13: Slot 13 across Enclosure 200
Figure 14: Slot 22 across Enclosure 200
Figure 15: Slot 25 across Enclosure 200
Figure 16: Slot 28 across Enclosure 200
Figure 17: Relationship between Enclosure 200 and Ditch 957 in slot 28
Figure 18: Cobbled surface 956 within Enclosure 200
Figure 19: Cremation vessels FV6 and FV7
Figure 20: Samian ware – top centre: U/S, bottom left: 315, bottom right: 205
Figure 21: Illustrated selection of Roman pottery
Figure 22: Mortaria stamp on FV17, 106
Figure 23: Shale bangle 231
Figure 24: Glass 336
Figure 25: Copper alloy 064/065
Figure 26: Iron nails, hobnails, and bow brooch 064/065
Figure 27: Reworked rotary quern WS15, 232
Table 1: Quantification of main ware types in whole assemblage
Table 2: Percentage of vessel types
Table 3: Worked stone
Table 4: Percentages of identified fragments out of total identified to area of skeleton
Table 5: Archaeobotanical remains from Area N2
Table 6: Archaeobotanical remains from Area N2 internal features
Table 7: Radiocarbon dates
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