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The Taxman's Tavern: Roman Mansion (Alfoldean) | S13E12 | Time Team

Time Team Classics・42 minutes read

West Sussex, a Romanized part of Britain, reveals the significance of the A-29 road, the Roman settlement with a mancio, and the rich artifacts found. The exploration of the site uncovers potential wall foundations, painted plaster, and hints at luxurious accommodations, showcasing the strategic importance of the location in Roman times.

Insights

  • The Roman site in West Sussex, once a station, is now believed to have been a mancio or Roman hotel, offering a unique exploration opportunity due to the lack of understanding about mancios in Roman Britain.
  • The excavation of the Roman site revealed not only potential wall foundations and painted plaster, indicating luxurious accommodations in the mancio, but also a strategic location at the intersection of major routes, emphasizing its significance in Roman times for travelers seeking comfort, warmth, and a good meal after a long journey.

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Recent questions

  • What was the significance of the Roman settlement in West Sussex?

    The Roman settlement in West Sussex was strategically located at the intersection of major routes, indicating its importance in Roman times. It was rich in Roman artifacts like box tile, roof tile, and pottery, suggesting it served as a crucial hub for trade and travel. The site's location and abundant resources made it a key point for Roman imperial taxation and control, with regulations dictating taxes per capita and controlling the movement of iron due to its military significance.

  • What were the main features of the Roman Mancio in West Sussex?

    The Roman Mancio in West Sussex was a two-story coaching inn with a bath house, paddocks, stables, and other amenities for travelers. The site revealed potential wall foundations and painted plaster, hinting at the luxurious accommodations it offered. Accommodations varied based on social status, with some rooms having multiple bunk beds while higher status individuals had single rooms. Despite the differences, all guests sought comfort, warmth, and a good meal after a long journey, with a Roman feast prepared as a reward for their hard work.

  • How did the decline of Alfoldine in West Sussex come about?

    The decline of Alfoldine in West Sussex coincided with a shift in iron production to the Forest of Dean, leading to the site's abandonment. The area's abundance of iron had initially led to military control, marked by defensive earthworks like ramparts and ditches. However, as iron production shifted to a different region, the site lost its economic significance, resulting in its eventual decline and abandonment.

  • What were the challenges faced during the excavation of the Roman site in West Sussex?

    The excavation of the Roman site in West Sussex faced challenges such as unpicking a 1920s dig and understanding the layout of the Mancio. Rain also disrupted excavation plans, leading to delays in the exploration process. Despite these obstacles, the team persevered in their efforts to uncover the history and significance of the site, conducting geophysical surveys and excavations to reveal the secrets hidden beneath the ground.

  • What were the key discoveries made during the exploration of the Roman site in West Sussex?

    The exploration of the Roman site in West Sussex led to key discoveries such as a possible officer's quarters, part of the Mancio, and the pink corridor. A settlement outside the Mancio was also discovered, potentially including a mausoleum. The team aimed to determine if the buildings were older or contemporary with the enclosure, shedding light on the varied uses of the site over time. These discoveries provided valuable insights into the history and significance of the Roman settlement in West Sussex.

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Summary

00:00

Romanized West Sussex: Uncovering Ancient Mancio

  • West Sussex was one of the first Romanized parts of Britain, with similarities to its past still evident today.
  • The A-29, known as Stain Street to the Romans, was a significant road between Chichester and London.
  • The Roman settlement, including a mancio (Roman hotel), has disappeared over time, leaving little information about its existence.
  • The site being explored is over half a kilometer long, with 300 years of Roman activity, and only three days to investigate.
  • The site is rich in Roman artifacts like box tile, roof tile, and pottery, indicating its importance.
  • The site was previously excavated in the 1920s, identifying it as a station, but current experts believe it may have been a mancio or hotel.
  • The lack of understanding about mancios in Roman Britain presents a unique opportunity for exploration.
  • Geophysical surveys are conducted to locate the mancio and investigate its surrounding features like ditches.
  • The excavation reveals potential wall foundations and painted plaster, hinting at the luxurious accommodations of the mancio.
  • The site's strategic location at the intersection of major routes and abundant resources suggests its significance in Roman times.

15:35

Exciting Archaeology Discoveries at Roman Site

  • After 13 years, a new hat marks a celebration for Phil, with exciting archaeology discoveries in a trench.
  • The trench reveals a possible officer's quarters, part of the Mancio, and the pink corridor.
  • A settlement outside the Mancio is discovered, potentially including a mausoleum.
  • The team aims to determine if the buildings are older or contemporary with the enclosure.
  • Day two reveals a Roman service station, the Mancio, cut off by huge ditches.
  • A plan of the Roman site is developed, hinting at a possible mausoleum location.
  • A trench is planned to uncover the circular feature, potentially a mausoleum or roundhouse.
  • Challenges include unpicking a 1920s dig and understanding the Mancio's layout.
  • The team theorizes the Mancio's layout, possibly with a courtyard and multiple rooms.
  • Rain halts excavation, leading to a waiting game, while a Roman horseshoe experiment is conducted successfully.

30:08

Roman Road Construction and Military Control in Alfoldine

  • The road's construction was for control, with one gate in and another out, along with a bridge, serving Roman imperial taxation.
  • Regulations dictated taxes per capita, such as one and a half denarii for a horse, and controlled iron movement due to its military significance.
  • Iron's abundance in the area led to military control, marked by defensive earthworks like ramparts and ditches.
  • Rain disrupted excavation plans, but geophysical surveys revealed the development of Alfoldine.
  • A Roman settlement near Stain Street included a bath house and multiple two-story buildings, with a courtyard and other structures.
  • Ditches and ramparts were dated to around 90 A.D., lasting for about 150 years before being filled in with earth and rubbish.
  • Geophysical surveys expanded the settlement's size, showing a thriving community reliant on the Mancio complex for taxation and iron storage.
  • The decline of Alfoldine coincided with a shift in iron production to the Forest of Dean, leading to the site's abandonment.
  • Discoveries in Miles's trench hinted at Roman burials and a disturbed burial, showcasing the site's varied uses over time.
  • Excavations revealed the floor plan of the Alfoldine Mancio, a two-story coaching inn with a bath house, paddocks, stables, and other amenities for travelers.

45:04

Roman Accommodations and Feasts for Travelers

  • In Roman times, accommodations varied based on social status, with some rooms able to accommodate multiple bunk beds, while higher status individuals had single rooms. Despite the differences, all guests would have sought comfort, warmth, and a good meal after a long journey, with a Roman feast prepared as a reward for their hard work, featuring dishes like asparagus quiche and fish balls.
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