Wessex Archaeology

Further Work on a Detached Roman Bath-house and

Earlier Building at Truckle Hill,
North Wraxall, Wiltshire
Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation and Outreach Programme

Ref: 58522.01 March 2009

FURTHER WORK ON A DETACHED ROMAN BATH-HOUSE
AND EARLIER BUILDING AT TRUCKLE HILL,
NORTH WRAXALL,
WILTSHIRE

Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation

and Outreach Programme

Produced for:
Wiltshire County Council Archaeology Service
Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
Cocklebury Road
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3QN

By:
Wessex Archaeology
Portway House
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 6EB

March 2009

WA Document Ref. No. 58522.01

© Copyright Wessex Archaeology Limited 2009, all rights reserved

Wessex Archaeology Limited is a Registered Charity No. 287786
 FURTHER WORK ON A DETACHED ROMAN BATH-HOUSE
AND EARLIER BUILDING AT TRUCKLE HILL,
NORTH WRAXALL,
WILTSHIRE

Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation

and Outreach Programme

CONTENTS

Summary..................................................................................................................................iii
Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................iv

1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 1
1.1. General ....................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Previous work at the site............................................................................................. 1
1.3. Outreach..................................................................................................................... 3
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................. 3
3. METHOD STATEMENT..................................................................................................... 4
4. STRUCTURAL SEQUENCE ............................................................................................. 4
4.1. Introduction................................................................................................................. 4
4.2. The bath-house .......................................................................................................... 4
4.3. Pre – bath-house building........................................................................................... 8
4.4. Lime / mortar preparation area ................................................................................. 10
5. FINDS .............................................................................................................................. 10
6. ENVIRONMENTAL REMAINS ........................................................................................ 11
7. DISCUSSION AND PROPOSALS .................................................................................. 11
7.1. Introduction............................................................................................................... 11
7.2. Structural sequence.................................................................................................. 11
7.3. Finds......................................................................................................................... 12
7.4. Environmental remains ............................................................................................. 12
7.5. Outreach................................................................................................................... 12
7.6. Publication ................................................................................................................ 13
7.7. Archive...................................................................................................................... 13
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY.............................................................................................................. 14

APPENDIX 1: Context Summary

i
FIGURES

Figure 1. Site location plan

Figure 2. Plan of bath-house and earlier structural remains, as recorded in October
2008

PLATES

Cover. Early building: painted plaster on wall 30

Plate 1. Bath-house: frigidarium (cold room) / cold bath 1; plunge pool partly
excavated to floor level (scale = 2m; view from north-east)
Plate 2. Bath-house: Caldarium (hot room); apsidal south end partly excavated to
floor level (scale = 2m; view from north-west)
Plate 3. Early building: detail of painted plaster on wall 30 (scale = 0.5m; view from
east)
Plate 4. Early building: wall 31 and associated post-hole 260 (scale = 0.5m; view
from east)
Plate 5. Early building: column base 34 exposed in base of Trench M (scale = 1m;
view from north-west)
Plate 6. Early building: window opening / niche in wall 32, adjacent to wall 20 of bath-
house (scale = 0.5m; view from east)
Plate 7. Promontory (arrowed) north of bath-house; site of lime / mortar preparation
area (view from south)
Plate 8. Lime / mortar preparation area – Trench B1 (scale = 1m; view from east)
Plate 9. Excavations in progress on lime / mortar preparation area – Trench B1
Plate 10. Pupils from Hardenhuish School investigate lime / mortar preparation area

Back cover. Bath-house: frigidarium (cold room) / cold bath 1; plunge pool partly
excavated, with remains of steps visible to rear

TABLES

Table 1. Site Archive

ii
 FURTHER WORK ON A DETACHED ROMAN BATH-HOUSE
AND EARLIER BUILDING AT TRUCKLE HILL,
NORTH WRAXALL,
WILTSHIRE

Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation

and Outreach Programme

Summary

Wessex Archaeology, with the support of Wiltshire County Council Archaeology

Service, undertook a second season of a continuing archaeological excavation and
outreach programme to provide more information about a recently discovered Roman
bath-house at Truckle Hill, North Wraxall, Wiltshire, centred on Ordnance Survey
NGR 383700 176240.

As in 2007 the success of the project has owed much to the support of the landowner
and, especially, the large number of highly motivated and very competent volunteer
excavators it has attracted.

Previous work at and in the vicinity of the Truckle Hill Roman bath-house, culminating
in the excavation of 2007, uncovered a particularly well-preserved structure, arguably
one of the best surviving rural, detached bath-houses in the country, and also one of
the largest. Subsequent conservation work was followed by targeted excavations in
2008 which revealed the cold bath in frigidarium / cold bath 1 to be unusually deep –
a plunge pool rather than a bath, with an associated flight of steps. The floor within
the apsidal end of the caldarium was also exposed, though with no evidence for a
hypocaust or hot bath surviving, and the associated furnace has not yet been found.

The most significant and unexpected discovery in 2008 was an earlier building
beneath the bath-house. The high status of the building is indicated by the
exceptional quality of some of the painted wall plaster, the remains of a mosaic floor,
a few fragments of window glass and a probable column base. As yet, too little of this
building has been exposed to ascertain its extent, layout and function, though an
early 2nd century AD date has been provisionally suggested for its construction. It
could be a bath-house, but other possibilities might include a temple or shrine, or
perhaps a detached summer dining room. It may have been subsidence which led to
it being abandoned and demolished, and it was subsequently replaced by the bath-
house, perhaps towards the end of the 2nd century AD. Large quantities of painted
wall plaster recovered down-slope to the east of the bath-house may derive from this
building or its predecessor.

The sequence of deposits investigated in 2008 on the promontory to the north of the
bath-house, has been interpreted as deriving from lime / mortar preparation and, if
so, represents a rare discovery of what must have been a commonplace feature on
many villa and other sites that had substantial stone structures. Although a Roman
date has yet to be confirmed it does seem most likely.

Proposed excavations in 2009 will aim to determine the extent and layout of the
newly-discovered earlier building. There is considerable scope for well-preserved

iii
remains to survive to the west and south of the bath-house, which should provide
further information about the internal decoration and dating, as well as contributing to
an understanding of the function of the building. In 2010 it is hoped to investigate
selected features revealed by geophysical survey on the top of Truckle Hill to provide
more information about the setting of the villa as well as possibly revealing something
of the pre-existing Iron Age landscape.

In 2011, a post-excavation programme is proposed which will bring together the

results of the 2009-10 investigations, integrate them with the results of the 2007-8
investigations, re-examine the evidence from the 19th excavations of the Truckle Hill
(North Wraxall) villa, and place the whole in its context of Late Iron Age and Romano-
British settlement in this part of the Wiltshire Cotswolds. It is anticipated that the
results will be published as an article in the Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History
Magazine.

iv
 FURTHER WORK ON A DETACHED ROMAN BATH-HOUSE
AND EARLIER BUILDING AT TRUCKLE HILL,
NORTH WRAXALL,
WILTSHIRE

Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation

and Outreach Programme

Acknowledgements

The programme of archaeological work in 2008 was commissioned by Wiltshire

County Council, and we are most grateful to them and North Wiltshire District Council
for providing funding for the excavation and outreach work. In this respect, the
support of Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger (County Archaeologist, Wiltshire County
Council) has been instrumental in the success of the project. Further support has
been provided by Wessex Archaeology through its community programme led by
Margaret Bunyard. The interest and help provided by the landowner, Mr Antony Little,
continues to be a major factor in the success of the project which, without his
support, would not take place.

Various individuals provided help during the course of the fieldwork. Particular thanks
are due to Steven Hill (Dooey) and quad bike which together took all our equipment
and finds to and from the site and daily replenished our water supplies. Paul Lysley
kindly allowed parking on his land for the many volunteers and visitors. Dave Sabin
undertook metal detecting across the site and also helped with the interpretation of
various features, particularly the lime / mortar preparation area. Rachael Seager
Smith advised on the collection and retention of the ceramic building material, while
Mel Barge (English Heritage Inspector for the region) offered guidance on the
excavation, cleaning and storage of the wall plaster, as well as highlighting its
significance, and discussed the possibilities of future work at the site. We are grateful
to Susan Clelland and Naomi Hall for undertaking the GPS survey of our trenches.

As in 2007, the involvement of a large number of enthusiastic and very capable

volunteers was the key factor in the success of the project, the total number reaching
almost 30 over the two and a half week duration of the excavation. They included
members of local groups, university students, museum volunteers, staff from
Wiltshire County Council, English Heritage and Wessex Archaeology or ex-Wessex
Archaeology staff, and individuals - some local, some from further afield - who were
simply keen to be involved with the project. Paul Hadley, Jayne O’Connell and Clive
Green were ever-present and their skill and experience was much appreciated, while
Mary-Jane Harding sorted and cleaned all the painted wall plaster. However, all
those who took part are greatly thanked for their help.

The fieldwork was directed by Phil Andrews with the assistance Darren Baker. The
project was managed for Wessex Archaeology by Margaret Bunyard, who also co-
ordinated the team of volunteers and the participation of pupils from Hardenhuish
School. We are especially grateful to Cally Longhurst and Cat McHarg for organising
the Young Archaeologists Club visit and activities.

This report was compiled by Phil Andrews, with graphics by Rob Goller.

v
 FURTHER WORK ON A DETACHED ROMAN BATH-HOUSE
AND EARLIER BUILDING AT TRUCKLE HILL,
NORTH WRAXALL,
WILTSHIRE

Interim Report on the 2008 Archaeological Excavation

and Outreach Programme

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

1.1.1 Wessex Archaeology, with the support of Wiltshire County Council

Archaeology Service (WCAS), undertook a second season of the continuing
archaeological excavation and outreach programme to provide more
information about a newly-discovered Roman bath-house at Truckle Hill,
North Wraxall, Wiltshire, centred on Ordnance Survey NGR 383700 176240
(Figure 1).

1.1.2 The Truckle Hill Roman bath-house lies at a height of c. 84m aOD on the
west side of a narrow, steep-sided valley within the parish of North Wraxall in
North Wiltshire. It sits within the Wiltshire Cotswolds in a landscape rich in
Romano-British archaeology – the Fosse Way Roman Road lies 1.5 km to
the west as does the major shrine site at Nettleton Shrub. The bath-house is
only some 150m away from the Truckle Hill (North Wraxall) Roman Villa, a
substantial villa and probable farm estate centre, partly excavated by G.
Poulet-Scrope in 1859-60 (Scheduled Monument W878; WAM 1862; Scott
1993, 205), which occupies a relatively flat, hilltop position. Further details
relating to the setting and discovery of the bath-house can be found in the
publication of the 2007 work on the site (Andrews 2009).

1.2 Previous work at the site

1.2.1 Following the partial exposure of the Roman bath-house in 2004 during small-
scale stone quarrying activity by the landowner, a rapid recording exercise
was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology (WA 2005). Subsequently, a rapid
walkover survey was carried out by the English Heritage (EH) Archaeological
Survey & Investigation team of the narrow valley containing the site. The EH
Geophysics Team undertook an earth resistance survey of the immediate
vicinity of the bath-house which produced clear results suggesting the
presence of at least one further building and a complex of other
archaeological features (Linford and Payne 2005). Initial conclusions of this
preliminary work were that the entire head of the valley may have formed a
managed landscape in Roman times, potentially of similar nature to the
nearby site at Nettleton and probably attached to the Truckle Hill villa estate.

1.2.2 The steep topography of the valley side upon which the bath-house was
constructed has posed a difficult conservation problem since the time of the
building’s discovery. Direct vehicle access to the site, especially for one
carrying fill material, is virtually impossible. Unfortunately, co-ordinated

1
 attempts to adequately protect the exposed remains through the winter
months of 2004-6 were not successful, and deterioration of the site
accelerated at an alarming pace.

1.2.3 Following a site visit in May 2007 it was felt that that the maximum effort
should go immediately into the urgent preservation by record of the most
vulnerable parts of the bath-house. To achieve this aim a partnership project
(WCAS, EH and WA) was proposed which would provide the resources and
people to undertake controlled excavation of the site and maximise the
opportunities thus afforded.

1.2.4 Excavations in September-October 2007 (Andrews 2009) uncovered the

complete suite of rooms, of two phases, with initial construction probably
taking place during the 2nd century AD, perhaps in the second half of that
century. The use of the bath-house continued until the end of the 3rd or, more
likely, the 4th century AD. There is a possibility that the new, phase 2
frigidarium / cold bath remained unfinished at the time the bath-house ceased
operation. The chronological relationship to the bath suite in the Truckle Hill
villa excavated in the mid-19th century is uncertain, but it is suggested that the
two co-existed, although the use of the latter may have superseded the
detached bath-house which was subsequently abandoned.

1.2.5 A surprisingly small assemblage of finds, particularly metalwork (excluding

nails), was present. However, the small quantity of decorative material
recovered in 2007 (painted wall plaster and window glass) indicated that the
bath-house was relatively sumptuously appointed, though it had been
extensively robbed of re-usable materials, probably soon after it was
abandoned. The quality of the decoration, as well as the large size of the
bath-house, suggested that it may have been used by the occupants and
visitors to the villa rather than being a separate bath-house for estate
workers.

1.2.6 Like some other detached bath-houses, it was subsequently used for
agricultural purposes, perhaps as a barn, and a corn-drying kiln was
constructed within part of the shell of the abandoned building, probably in the
4th century AD. Samples from deposits associated with this activity were
exceptionally rich in cereal remains, comprising predominately glumes and
spikelet forks of spelt wheat. These are highly indicative of mass de-husking
on a scale probably far exceeding the needs of the nearby villa’s inhabitants.
The most likely reason for this is that pure, cleaned grain was being produced
to supply military needs and towns, for example Bath which lay less than 15
kilometres to the south-west along the Fosse Way.

1.2.7 There is convincing evidence that parts of the bath-house were excavated in
the 19th century with G. Poulet-Scrope, excavator of the nearby villa,
remaining the most likely candidate for this work. There is also a possibility
that the exposed bath-house structure was consolidated and retained as a
landscape feature at that time.

1.2.8 Following completion of work in 2007, the archaeological trenches were

backfilled and fill material generated from the excavation was strategically
placed (over Teram) to protect the vulnerable and exposed structural
elements that could not be preserved by consolidation. Over the winter of
2007-8 the more robust of the exposed bath-house walls were packed and re-
pointed with lime mortar and the wall heads ‘soft capped’ with turf by

2
 specialist contractors to aid their long-term preservation, this conservation
work being funded locally by WCAS via the Monument Management Scheme.

1.2.9 Subsequently, the villa and adjacent hilltop area were subject to geophysical
survey which has pinpointed the location and confirmed the orientation of the
villa complex as well as recording a variety of other features, some likely to be
of Iron Age date. Furthermore, LiDAR data indicates the presence of a road
approaching the north side of the villa through what is now dense woodland
(Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2008).

1.3 Outreach

1.3.1 The landowner, Antony Little, is very interested in the history of his site and
favourably disposed to further investigation. He has generously agreed to
cordon off the area of the Roman bath-house and make it and the
surrounding part of the valley available for investigation over several
seasons.

1.3.2 Not only is the site of intrinsic interest and worthy of research, but its position
and state of preservation make it an ideal candidate for community
involvement and outreach, extending the benefits of archaeology to a wider
audience. It is not often that there is such a good opportunity to involve
members of the local community in a significant archaeological investigation.

1.3.3 Education and outreach were therefore considered as central to this project,
and not as an additional feature. The involvement of local community groups
was planned into each relevant phase of the work.

1.3.4 Furthermore, the involvement of volunteers and students has allowed a

greater level of investigation to take place than would otherwise have been
possible within the constraints of the budgets in 2007 and 2008.

2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 The principal aims of the 2008 archaeological excavation were to:

• further examine the cold bath in frigidarium / cold bath 1 to establish

its depth, the survival of any lining and the drain arrangements;
• establish the presence or otherwise of a hot bath at the apsidal
(south) end of the caldarium;
• excavate an area further to the rear (west) of the bath-house to
expose more of the construction terrace and locate the furnace(s);
• excavate an area / trench to the front (east) of the bath-house to
locate any surviving surface(s) and, further down the terrace slope,
to recover a representative assemblage of robbed and discarded
building materials;
• excavate a trench across the top of a small promontory at the north
end of the valley where geophysical survey indicated further, buried
building remains;

2.2 An integral part of this project was the outreach programme, the aim of which
was to enable members of the public, local societies and students to take
part in the process and delivery of a worthwhile project. The objective was to

3
 encourage community and outreach activities and provide training in field
survey and excavation techniques.

2.3 A further objective was to provide archaeological data of sufficient quality to

inform the designation of the site, in combination with other research data.
This will also increase understanding of the archaeological resource
represented on the site and inform revision and further focusing of the
longer-term research project.

3 METHOD STATEMENT

3.1 No specific method statement was prepared for the 2008 excavation, but that
contained in the Project Design for the 2007 excavation (WA 2007) was also
used for the 2008 works, including finds collection and environmental
sampling strategies. As in 2007, all trenches were hand-excavated and,
following conclusion of the 2008 programme, all trenches were backfilled,
with care taken to use the appropriate material to cover exposed areas of
painted wall plaster.

4 STRUCTURAL SEQUENCE

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 The excavation was undertaken over a two-and-a-half week period at the
end of September and the beginning of October 2008. The exceptional
volunteer response resulted in an average daily workforce of 10 people,
enabling all the aims of the excavation to be addressed. Thirteen trenches
were excavated, designated Trenches A – M (Figures 1 and 2).

4.1.2 Prior to excavation it was assumed that the results would relate to the bath-
house or (at the time) undefined features / activity on the promontory at the
north end of the valley. However, during the course of the bath-house
excavation it became clear that this occupied the site of an earlier building
and, therefore, the discoveries relating to this are described separately
below.

4.2 The bath-house (Figure 2)

Frigidarium (cold room) / cold bath 1 (Trench D; Figure 2 and Plate 1)

4.2.1 This lay on the east side of the apodyterium (changing room), north of the
entrance corridor, and extended almost as far as the eastern edge of the cut-
and-fill terrace which the bath-house occupied.

4.2.2 The frigidarium / cold bath 1 was exposed during excavation in 2007 and
shown to be divided internally by wall 13 which separated the upper, western
part from the lower, eastern part occupied by the apsidal-ended cold bath.
The cold bath was subject to relatively limited investigation in 2007, but this
revealed it to have a substantial, square east end (wall 18). The relatively
massive nature of this structure was necessary not only to hold the weight of
the water in the bath, but also to provide a substantial foundation in the

4
 made-ground at the front of the terrace on the steeply sloping valley side.
The bath itself was semi-circular with an apsidal east end, with maximum
dimensions of 4.5m by 2.25m, the roof probably vaulted and with a half-
dome at this end.

4.2.3 Further excavation in 2008 revealed the base of the cold bath or, perhaps
more correctly, plunge pool at 81.80m aOD, approximately 1.7m below the
surviving wall tops. Also exposed were the remains of four or possibly five
steps in the south-west corner of the plunge pool, built into the upper part of
cross-wall 13, which here was 0.80m wide (see back cover). Only the
southern half of the plunge pool was investigated and so the northern extent
of the steps was not revealed, but small-scale exploratory work in 2007
showed that they did not continue the full length of wall 13. The steps had
been robbed of any ashlar or covering material and only the rubble core
survived, but this indicated steps each between 0.1 and 0.15m high; no floor
surface survived in the upper, western part of the frigidarium. The bottom
step was approximately 1.3m above the base of the plunge pool which
comprised a 40mm-thick layer of opus signinum directly overlying clayey
terrace-fill material.

4.2.4 There was no surviving lining on the exposed walls of the plunge pool,
although opus signinum appears to have been used to seal the walls, as
some was present in joints between the stones and also in the backfill of the
plunge pool. The extent and nature of this mortar both here and in the base
of the pool, where it survived discontinuously, indicates extensive robbing
after the structure went out of use. No evidence for a drain was found, but
this was almost certainly located in the east side of the plunge pool and
below the level of excavation in this area. There was, however, what may
have been the blocking of a water inlet towards the base, near the southern
end of wall 13, represented by a small, irregular patch of tile fragments with
their edges exposed. Alternatively, this blocking might simply indicate an
area of repair.

4.2.5 The plunge pool was filled with a sequence of deposits (249, 250, 251, 252,
253, 270, 271) largely resulting from the robbing and possible demolition of
frigidarium / cold bath 1. Layer 270, 0.45m thick, was particularly noteworthy
as it comprised almost entirely square- or rectangular-section cut / sawn tufa
blocks (typically between 360 x 150 x 60mm and 300 x 160 x 80mm)
representing collapsed roof structure. Layer 252 was a continuation of the
previously recorded (and analysed) crop-drying deposit, almost certainly
deriving from the post-bath-house crop-dryer built into the entrance corridor,
and above this was a layer of Pennant roof tiles, some complete or near
complete. A moderate quantity of box flue tile fragments was also recovered,
and the upper fill of the plunge pool comprised a substantial deposit of stone
rubble and mortar (layers 249 and 250).

4.2.6 It has been suggested that frigidarium / cold bath 1 was abandoned as a
result of subsidence, perhaps towards the end of the 3rd century, and
replaced by cold bath 2 which was built on the north side of the bath-house.
Some evidence for subsidence was apparent on the outer face of the north
wall (9) which was very ragged, and it could be seen in several places that
parts of this wall had broken away. Internally, several cracks were present in
the wall and a number of loose stones reflect the structure’s poor condition
and instability.

5
 Caldarium (hot room) (Trench C; Figure 2 and Plate 2)

4.2.7 This occupied the south-west corner of the bath-house, the apodyterium
lying to the north and the tepidarium to the east. Extensive investigation in
2007 revealed the entire plan, and a section was excavated through the infill
deposits at the northern end. The excavation at the north end, adjacent to
wall 15, revealed a 1.3m-deep sequence of demolition / collapse deposits
overlying a 0.18m thick charcoal-rich deposit. The underlying deposit
comprised mortary material, probable construction debris, but only a very
small area was exposed and this was not further investigated in 2007. As in
the tepidarium no remains of a hypocaust were found.

4.2.8 Excavations in 2008 investigated the western half of the apsidal south end of
the caldarium, with the specific aims of establishing the floor level and the
presence (or absence) of a hot bath within this part of the room. No evidence
for a hot bath was identified, nor any traces of a hypocaust. However, a
mortar surface (281) 20-30mmm thick was exposed at 83.90m aOD,
approximately 1.7m below the surviving wall tops. This was constructed over
a rubble foundation (282), similar to that recorded elsewhere within the
interior of the bath-house.

4.2.9 At approximately 1.15m above mortar surface 281 were two possible putlog
holes in the inner face of apsidal wall 19. These were 1.3m apart, 0.2m
deep, 0.2m high, with that to the south 0.2m wide and that to the west only
0.12m wide. The arrangement suggests a matching pair may be present in
the eastern, unexposed half of apsidal wall 19, and perhaps these holes held
joists that supported a floor. Two other possible putlog holes were recorded
at a similar height in 2007 in the north-west corner of the caldarium (in walls
15 and 16), and it may be significant that no other internal examples have
been recorded elsewhere within the bath-house.

4.2.10 Excavation in 2008 also showed that the springer on the west wall - for what
was presumably an arched opening between the apsidal end and the
northern part of the caldarium - was slightly skewed to the wall alignment.
However, the struck pointing here and on the inner face of the apsidal wall
demonstrated a high standard of finish, quite different to the rough finish in
frigidarium / cold bath 1 which appears to have been robbed of its facing of
opus signinum or other material (see above). The caldarium was filled with a
sequence of robbing and demolition / collapse deposits (212, 213, 214, 280)
that overlay mortar surface 281. Layer 214 differed from the others in that it
comprised a discontinuous burnt deposit; this visually did not resemble the
spreads of crop drying debris found elsewhere, and it probably equates with
the charcoal-rich deposit recorded within the north end of the caldarium in
2007.

External features and deposits (Figure 2)

4.2.11 Several small-scale investigations were undertaken around the exterior of

the bath-house in 2008 in order to establish the presence and nature of any
external surfaces and features.

4.2.12 It is almost certain that the area immediately east of the entrance corridor
and the tepidarium would have been surfaced, probably paved, perhaps with
steps leading up to the entrance. There was no surviving evidence for any
paving, but remnants of two successive mortar surfaces (276, 277), possibly

6
 the foundations for paving, were found (in Trench E) within the angle at the
south-east corner of the tepidarium at a height of approximately 84.30m
aOD.

4.2.13 To the rear (west) of the bath-house five investigations were undertaken
(Trenches A, I, J, K and L), where the primary aim was to locate the bath-
house furnace(s), as well as expose part of the terrace. Discoveries made in
three trenches (A, I and L) are relevant here. The most significant
observation in terms of the bath-house is that no furnace was present in this
area, which was its anticipated location. This finding was further confirmed
by the absence of any flue opening along either the inner face of the west
wall (16) or the western half of the apsidal south wall (19) of the caldarium
(this is discussed further below).

4.2.14 The rear of the terrace appeared to be defined (in Trench A) by a wall (30)
which was subsequently shown to be part of a pre – bath-house building
(see below). This wall would have acted as a revetment and left a gap of just
over 3m at the rear of bath-house here, just less than half that predicted on
the basis of the 2007 excavation. However, it now seems certain that the
entire terrace was created for the construction of the earlier building rather
than the bath-house, and the latter would have been simply fitted into the
available space following the demolition of the earlier building.

4.2.15 There was no surviving paving or mortar surface on the base of the terrace
behind the bath-house in Trench A, as was found to the north in the 2007
excavation (layer 114, a rough mortar surface, west of the apodyterium).
West of the caldarium post - bath-house crop drying debris (211) directly
overlay rubble make-up layer 263 (also found to the north in the 2007
excavation) at 84.25m aOD. This debris was approximately 0.1m thick in
Trench A, 0.4m thick in Trench L to the north, but petered out to the south,
not extending as far as Trench I. It was also recorded further to the north,
adjacent to the apodyterium, in 2007, where subsequent analysis showed it
to be exceptionally rich in charred cereal remains, though it may not
necessarily have derived from the crop dryer constructed within the bath-
house entrance corridor.

4.2.16 Above crop drying debris 211 was a remarkably homogeneous layer of what
is best described as ‘oolitic sand’ (209), up to 0.75m thick and containing
lenses of Pennant rooftile fragments but few other inclusions. It is hoped to
establish the source / nature of this material through further analysis of a
monolith sample, but it clearly post-dated the use of the bath-house and the
subsequent crop drying activity. Overlying deposit 209 in Trench A were
layers 208 and 279 representing demolition / collapse and slope-wash
deposits respectively, sealed by topsoil (207). The sequence was broadly
similar in Trenches I and L, though the former had a greater thickness of
‘oolitic sand’ than the latter and a correspondingly shallower thickness of
demolition / collapse / slopewash deposits. The deposits in Trenches A, I
and L were undisturbed, and there was no evidence for probable antiquarian
investigation as was recorded to the north behind the bath-house in 2007.

4.2.17 Three small investigations (1m² test-pits, approximately 10m apart) were
undertaken on the steeply sloping terrace side between 10m and 30m east
of the tepidarium. Previous very limited work had indicated the presence not
only of ceramic building material, but also wall plaster (some of it painted)
and window glass (one sherd), thought likely to derive from the robbing of

7
 the bath-house, probably in the late 3rd or 4th century. The 2008 excavation
confirmed the presence of significant quantities of structural debris,
particularly wall plaster, on this slope, at least 0.9m thick in Trench F at the
top of the slope, 0.7m thick in Trench G, and 0.2m thick lower down in
Trench H. There was some evidence (in Trench G) that the slope had been
terraced in places when created, but there was no indication within the very
limited areas exposed that it had been revetted. It is currently thought that
much if not all of the structural debris may derive from the robbing and
demolition of the building preceding the bath-house, rather than the bath-
house itself as previously believed.

4.3 Pre - bath-house building (Figure 2)

4.3.1 During the course of investigations immediately to the south and west of the
bath-house elements of an earlier structure were revealed. This was an
unexpected discovery and, at present, the extent, layout and function of this
building remain unknown, but its rich decoration indicates high status. An
early 2nd century AD date is suggested on the basis of the small quantity of
pottery and style of wall painting, but the evidence at present is tenuous. It
went out of use and was demolished prior to the bath-house being
constructed, probably in the second half of the 2nd century AD.

West of the bath-house

4.3.2 The most substantial remains were in Trench A to the west of the bath-
house where a 2m length of wall 30 was uncovered. Initially this was thought
to be a revetment at the rear of the terrace behind the bath-house, but the
presence of wall plaster on the east face indicated that this was not the case.
Wall 30 survived to a height of 1.15m, was at least 0.3m wide and, from what
little could be seen, was built of limestone rubble. A thin layer of opus
signinum (265) on the east face formed the base for the initial layer of plaster
(266) which was painted pink, with irregular splashes of dark red paint. Only
the upper part of wall plaster 266 was visible, with the remainder obscured
by the second (and final) layer of wall plaster (267). The earlier layer, in
relatively poor condition, had been pecked all over to provide keying for the
second layer which was notable for the quality of the painting and the
‘polished finish’ of the plaster (Plate 3 and front cover).

4.3.3 Although only a 1m width of the wall face was exposed this was sufficient to
show several details of the decorative scheme of wall plaster 267, the
colouring imitating various marbles. Along the bottom was a 0.2m high dado
(or perhaps the dado baseboard) painted pink with red and black speckling,
separated by a black line from a bright orange-yellow mottled and streaked
field at least 0.45m high. Within this field were the corners of two panels of
mottled buff colour with red speckling, the panels defined by black borders.
At the base of the dado was one, in places two rows of small pale red
tesserae (269) laid on a base of opus signinum (268), undoubtedly the
remains of the border of a mosaic floor, the rest presumably removed after
the building was abandoned and before the bath-house was built. In this
area at least, the bath-house foundations were deeper than the floor level (at
c. 84m aOD) of the earlier building and thus had destroyed any associated
deposits. The remains of the mosaic were sealed by collapsed wall material
including some wall plaster (210); fragments of wall plaster in this deposit
were recorded in two dimensions in order to reconstruct, if possible, details

8
 of the decorative scheme on the upper part of the wall which had not
survived in situ.

4.3.4 At present it is unknown whether wall 30 was the rear (west) wall of the
earlier building and, if so, if it was free-standing with space between it and
the back of the terrace or was built into the slope and acted as a revetment,
or whether one or more rooms lay to the west and have subsequently been
completely buried by hillwash. Further investigation is required to resolve
this.

4.3.5 Trench J, 1.8m to the south of Trench A, revealed wall 31, almost certainly a
continuation of wall 30, sealed by collapse / demolition deposits containing
some wall plaster (259), slopewash (258) and topsoil / subsoil (257). Only
the upper part of the east side of wall 31 and surviving in situ plaster was
revealed in order not to expose more wall plaster than was necessary, which
here was painted cream and appeared to be plain (Plate 4). Of particular
interest was the evidence for a possible opening or doorway in wall 31,
defined to the north by stone-packed post-hole 260 built into the wall (the
south side of the postulated opening lay beyond the limit of excavation), with
the plaster appearing to lap up against the edge of the now-missing post. A
timber-framed doorway would seem a little unusual in a building of this
nature and clearly further excavation is needed to clarify this.

4.3.6 Trench K, a 1m² test-pit 2.25m to the north of wall 30, showed that the wall
did not continue this far. However, on the same alignment was what
appeared to be a column base (34), assumed at present to be associated
with the earlier building rather than the bath-house (Plate 5). Only the upper
part of the column base was exposed, at a depth of 1.1m (at c. 84.35m
aOD), and though heavily frost shattered it was at least 0.6m square
(extending beyond the edges of the trench to the north and east), its precise
form uncertain. It was sealed by a series of slopewash deposits (233, 234,
274) and topsoil (232).

South of the bath-house

4.3.7 Trench M, immediately to the south of the tepidarium, was excavated to

determine the survival of any external bath-house surfaces in this area. None
was found, but adjacent and almost parallel to the bath-house wall (20) was
an earlier wall (32) which extended for the full 2.8m length of the trench and
continued beyond this to the east and west (Plate 6). Wall 32, lay at
approximately 90º to walls 30 and 31 in Trenches A and K, was 0.6m wide
and, although only the top was exposed, it was well-constructed of faced
limestone with a rubble and mortar core. On the inner face was what was
either a window opening or niche, or possibly a window opening converted to
a niche, 1.1m wide, with a 0.25m deep splayed opening formed by finely-cut
ashlars. This had been covered by plaster, painted cream but with no other
decoration visible. Though not further excavated, there was a substantial
quantity of similar plaster visible on the inside which had fallen off the wall
face and subsequently been cut through by the construction of the bath-
house. The top of wall 32 lay at between 84.00m and 84.40m aOD and it
seems almost certain, therefore, that the associated floor level (not exposed)
must be lower than that of the mosaic (at 84.00m aOD) in Trench A.

4.3.8 Trench N, 1.25m to the east of Trench M, did not reveal a continuation of
wall 32 and it is likely, therefore, that this wall returns to the north between

9
 the two trenches. There is a possibility, however, that it has suffered
subsidence and collapse closer to the front edge of the terrace, and it was
observed that the eastern part of the wall in Trench M was in much poorer
condition than the western part, almost certainly a result of subsidence. A
substantial mass of apparently in situ mortared masonry (33) occupying
much of Trench N and extending to the north, south and east does not
appear to be part of a wall, and may be some form of foundation or
consolidation deposit associated with either the bath-house or, and perhaps
more likely, the earlier building.

4.4 Lime / mortar preparation area (Figure 1)

4.4.1 Trenches B1 (5.5m x 1m), B3 (4m x 1m) and B2 and B4 (both 1m x 1m)
were excavated on the top of a pronounced promontory on the west side of
the valley approximately 100m north of the bath-house (Plate 7). Earlier
geophysical work had indicated the presence of possible structural remains
here (Linford and Payne 2005), and visual inspection indicated what
appeared to be a small, heavily overgrown quarry immediately to the west,
dug into the valley side and partially backfilled with fairly modern debris
including concrete and ironwork. Although a Roman date was considered
possible, a medieval or post-medieval date could not be ruled out.

4.4.2 The excavated remains have been interpreted as a quarry and associated
lime slaking / mortar preparation area of probable Roman date, although no
definitive dating evidence was recovered.

4.4.3 All the trenches revealed similar sequences comprising limestone fragments
(generally less than 0.2m in size), charcoal-rich layers and mortar ‘surfaces’,
the latter probably naturally formed rather than deliberately laid, all sloping
very gently to the west (Plate 8). The slope of these deposits gave the
impression of filling a shallow semi-circular basin, estimated to be between
20m and 25m long and approximately 10m wide, the edge perhaps
surrounded by a low, dry-stone wall or bank comprising larger stones (227)
which was revealed in Trench B1. Only the upper metre or so of what is
likely to be a fairly deep sequence was investigated, but the deposits have
been provisionally interpreted as being associated with a lime-slaking pit or
basin. Here, the lime would have been soaked in a shallow pool of water
(perhaps tapped from the nearby stream or an adjacent spring) and allowed
to settle prior to being removed, dried and then used in the production of
mortar or plaster. The adjacent quarry would have been the source of the
limestone which was then burnt in a kiln to produce lime (the charcoal-rich
layers may represent burnt fuel), the lime kiln(s) presumably located nearby.
The size of the promontory and, therefore, the likely substantial depth of
deposits suggest activity over possibly a prolonged length of time.

5 FINDS

5.1 The finds recovered during 2008 have yet to be fully processed and
recorded but virtually all are of Roman date. Preliminary assessment
indicates there to be a very small quantity of pottery and a few iron objects.
There is also a moderate quantity of ceramic building material (mostly box
flue tile), several pieces of stone (including tufa blocks from frigidarium / cold
bath 1), a few fragments of window glass, and mortar samples from the lime

10
 / mortar preparation area. By far the largest category of material is painted
wall plaster, much of it decorated, the painted surfaces of which have been
gently washed and the material laid out to dry in trays.

6 ENVIRONMENTAL REMAINS

6.1 Eight bulk samples were taken in 2008 but have not yet been processed. Five
come from a variety of deposits associated with the bath-house and three
from charcoal-rich deposits in the lime / mortar preparation area. Most of
those from the bath-house are likely represent crop drying debris deriving
from the later Roman use of the building, while the charcoal-rich samples
from Trench B1 are perhaps derived from fuel associated with lime burning.
There is also one monolith from the ‘oolitic sand’ (layer 209 in Trench A).

7 DISCUSSION AND PROPOSALS

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 It was originally envisaged that 2008 would be the last season of excavation
on the bath-house. However, the discovery of an earlier building beneath it
has resulted in a revision to the proposed programme of work. It is now
anticipated that a further season of excavation will be undertaken in 2009 to
investigate the earlier building, followed in 2010 by investigation of selected
features revealed by geophysical survey on the top of Truckle Hill, to the north
and west of the villa site. It is hoped that the proposed 2010 excavation will
provide more information about the setting of the villa as well as possibly
revealing something of the pre-existing Iron Age landscape.

7.2 Structural sequence

7.2.1 There is probably little more to learn through further excavation of the bath-
house, although the failure to find a furnace remains perplexing; it may have
been accommodated within, rather than outside the bath-house, but this
seems unlikely and no evidence has been found to suggest that this was the
case. The base of the cold bath in frigidarium / cold bath 1 was revealed in
2008 and shown to be unexpectedly deep – a plunge pool rather than a bath,
and the remains of a flight of steps into the pool was also exposed. The floor
within the apsidal end of the caldarium was uncovered, though with no
evidence for a hypocaust or hot bath surviving.

7.2.2 The discovery of an earlier building beneath the bath-house was unexpected
as no evidence for this was found in 2007. The high status of the building is
indicated by the exceptional quality of some of the painted wall plaster (Davey
and Ling 1982, 46), the remains of a mosaic floor, a few fragments of window
glass, a probable column base, as well as other details of the architecture. As
yet, too little of this building has been exposed to ascertain its extent, layout
and function, though an early 2nd century AD date has been provisionally
suggested for its construction. It could be a bath-house, but other possibilities
might include a temple or shrine, or perhaps a detached summer dining room.
It may have been subsidence which led to it being abandoned and
demolished, and it was subsequently replaced by the bath-house, perhaps
towards the end of the 2nd century AD. It is now thought more likely that much
if not all of the painted plaster recovered from the trenches on the slope below

11
 the terrace derives from this earlier building rather than the bath-house,
although during fieldwork it was noted that none of this material, with the
exception of the plain cream-coloured pieces, matched that found in situ.

7.2.3 Proposed excavations in 2009 should aim to determine the extent and layout
of the earlier building. There is considerable scope for well-preserved remains
to survive to the west and on the continuation of the terrace to the south of the
bath-house. Targeted excavation in these areas will also provide further
information about the internal decoration and dating, as well as contributing to
an understanding of the function of the building.

7.2.4 The sequence of deposits on the promontory to the north of the bath-house
has been interpreted as deriving from lime / mortar preparation and, if so,
represents a rare discovery of what must have been a commonplace feature
on many villa and other sites that had substantial stone structures (Davey and
Ling 1982, 52-3; http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/kiln3.htm). Although a
Roman date has yet to be confirmed it does seem most likely. The
pronounced magnetic response obtained during the earlier geophysical
survey can now be attributed to the quantity of burnt debris present rather
than structural remains (ie a building) as was previously suggested. No further
excavation is currently proposed in this area but comparison of mortars
recovered from the sequence of deposits here with those in the bath-house
and earlier building may demonstrate a link, and one or more radiocarbon
dates should be obtained to confirm whether or not the sequence is indeed
Roman and, if so, to when in the Roman period the upper deposits which
have been investigated belong.

7.3 Finds

7.3.1 The wall plaster has been cleaned and dried, but the other finds are still to be
processed. It is envisaged that the remaining processing and recording will be
undertaken within the next six months. Subsequent assessment and analysis
will be integrated into the post-excavation programme following the proposed
two further seasons of fieldwork in 2009 - 10. External specialist input is likely
to be required to contribute to the publication of the important assemblage of
painted wall plaster.

7.4 Environmental remains

7.4.1 The eight bulk samples have yet to be processed, but it is envisaged that this
will be undertaken within the next six months. The charred plant remains and
charcoal assemblages will be rapidly assessed to determine whether they are
likely to represent crop drying debris, fuel from heating the bath-house or from
the lime burning activity, or are from some other source. The monolith will be
described and the material (‘oolitic sand’) characterised. Any subsequent
analysis of the samples will be integrated into the post-excavation programme
following the proposed two further seasons of fieldwork in 2009 - 10.

7.5 Outreach

7.5.1 Following the success of the outreach programme in 2007 and 2008 (Plates
9 and 10), which resulted in all of the excavation aims being achieved and in
many cases exceeded, it is clear that work during further seasons may be
undertaken on the same basis, involving volunteers drawn from a variety of
sources.

12
7.5.2 The community nature of this project also provides an ideal opportunity to
examine and record any surviving artefacts in museum collections (eg
Devizes Museum) from the Truckle Hill villa, presumed to be the parent site of
the bath-house and earlier building. This may provide evidence for
connections between these two sites, refining the chronology, sequence of
development and range / nature of the activities at both sites. With a small
team of volunteers, recording to assessment level could be rapidly achieved
with minimum specialist input, and the results included in the final publication.

7.6 Publication

7.6.1 In 2011, a post-excavation programme is proposed which will bring together

the results of the 2009-10 investigations, integrate them with the results of
the 2007-8 investigations, re-examine the evidence from the 19th excavations
of the Truckle Hill (North Wraxall) villa, and place the whole in its context of
Late Iron Age and Romano-British settlement in this part of the Wiltshire
Cotswolds. It is anticipated that the results will be more than sufficient to
justify publication of a short (approximately 30 pages) article in the county
journal. It is also anticipated that the results will be disseminated via more
‘popular’ publications, both printed and web-based.

7.7 Archive

7.7.1 The complete site archive (Table 1) from the 2008 excavation, which will
include paper and digital records, photographic records, graphics, artefacts
and ecofacts, will be prepared following the standard conditions for the
acceptance of excavated archaeological material by Devizes Museum, and in
general following nationally recommended guidelines (SMA 1993; Museums
and Galleries Commission 1994). It will eventually form part of the
consolidated archive for the entire Truckle Hill project which will be deposited
at either Devizes Museum or Chippenham Museum.

Table 1. Site Archive

WA Project Code File No. Details No. of sheets Format

58521 1 Index to archive 1 A4
58521 1 Copy of interim 22 A4
report
58521 1 Context index 4 A4
58521 1 Day book 4 A4
58521 1 Graphics register 1 A4
58521 1 Sample index 1 A4
58521 1 Photo registers 8 A4
58521 1 Survey records 7 A4
58521 1 Context sheets 88 A4
58521 1 Context finds XX A4
records
58521 Roll of drawings Graphics 4 A1
58521 1 Graphics 4 A3
58521 1 Graphics 6 A4
58521 1 Sample records 9 A4
58521 - B & W negs and Approx 100 / 35mm
contact sheets 3 sheets
58521 - Digital photographs Approx 150 CD
58521 - Finds boxes - X boxes

13
7.7.2 The site archive from the 2008 excavation is currently held at the offices of
Wessex Archaeology under the reference number 58522.

8 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Andrews, P., 2009 ‘The discovery, excavation and preservation of a detached

Roman bath-house at Truckle Hill, North Wraxall’, Wilts. Archaeol. Nat. Hist.
Mag., 102, xx-xx

Archaeological Surveys Ltd 2008 Truckle Hill Roman Villa, North Wraxall, Wiltshire:
Magnetometry and Earth Resistance Survey, unpublished report 226

Davey, N. and Ling, R., 1982 Wall-Painting in Roman Britain, Britannia Monograph 3

Linford, P. and Payne, A., 2005 Truckle Hill Roman Building, North Wraxall,
Wiltshire: Report on geophysical survey, English Heritage

Museums and Galleries Commission 1994 Standards in the museum care of

archaeological collections, London, Museums and Galleries Commission

Scott, E., 1994 A Gazetteer of Roman Villas in Britain, Leicester Univ. Archaeol.
Monog. 1

Society of Museum Archaeologists [SMA] 1993 Selection, Retention and Dispersal

of Archaeological Collections: guidelines for use in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland

WAM [Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History Magazine] 1862, 7, 59-74

Wessex Archaeology 2005 Truckle Hill Roman Building, North Wraxall, Wiltshire:
Rapid Building Recording , unpublished report 58520.01

Wessex Archaeology 2007 [August] Truckle Hill Roman Building, North Wraxall,
Wiltshire: Project design for an Archaeological Research and Outreach
Programme (ref. T10098.003)

http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/kiln3.htm [accessed 8/10/08]

14
APPENDIX 1: Context Summary

Context Description Interpretation (Trench)

30 Wall Early building – north-south wall with painted plaster (A)
31 Wall Early building – north-south wall with painted plaster (J)
32 Wall Early building – east-west wall with painted plaster (M)
33 Masonry Buttress / foundation? (N)
34 Column base Early building – portico? (K)

200 Layer Topsoil (B1)

201 Layer Rubble (B1)
202 Layer Burnt layer (B1)
203 Layer Burnt layer (B1)
204 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
205 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
206 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
207 Layer Topsoil / subsoil (A)
208 Layer Collapse deposit (A)
209 Layer ‘Oolitic sand’ deposit (A)
210 Layer Collapse deposit, adjacent to wall 30 (A)
211 Layer Burnt dump – crop drying debris (A)
212 Layer Rubble fill in hot room (C)
213 Layer Rubble fill in hot room (C)
214 Layer Burnt layer in hot room (C)
215 Layer Tumble (I)
216 Layer Dump/demolition deposits (F)
217 Layer Dump/demolition deposits (G)
218 Layer Dump/demolition deposits (H)
219 Layer Rubble layer (B3)
220 Layer Mortar layer (B3)
221 Layer Mortar layer (B3)
222 Layer Mortar layer (B3)
223 Layer Rubble layer (B2)
224 Layer Mortar layer (B2)
225 Layer Slumped layer (B2)
226 Layer Burnt layer (B1)
227 Layer Rubble deposit – collapsed / revetment (B1)
228 Layer Rubble layer (B4)
229 Layer Mortar layer (B4)
230 Layer Rubble layer (B4)
231 Layer ‘Oolitic sand’ deposit (I)
232 Layer Topsoil (K)
233 Layer Subsoil / colluvium (K)
234 Layer Colluvium / slopewash (K)
235 Layer Redeposited colluvium ? (K)
236 Layer Burnt, charcoal-rich layer (B1)
237 Layer Soil layer (B1)
238 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
239 Layer Soil layer (B1)
240 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
241 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
242 Layer Rubble layer (B1)
243 Layer ? Burnt layer (B1)
244 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
245 Layer Burnt layer (B1)

15
Context Description Interpretation (Trench)
246 Layer Burnt layer (B1)
247 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
248 Layer Mortar layer (B1)
249 Layer Rubble in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
250 Layer Rubble in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
251 Layer Pennant rooftile deposit in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
252 Layer Burnt dump – crop drying debris in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
253 Layer Collapse / demolition layer in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
254 Layer Collapse deposit (L)
255 Layer ‘Oolitic sand’ deposit (L)
256 Layer Burnt dump – crop drying debris (L)
257 Layer Subsoil (J)
258 Layer Colluvium / slopewash (J)
259 Layer Collapse deposit, adjacent to wall 31 (J)
260 Post-hole ? Part of doorway / opening in wall 31 (J)
261 Fill Fill of post-hole 260 (J)
262 Layer Topsoil / subsoil (M)
263 Layer Rubble foundation / make-up layer (A)
264 Layer Slopewash / fill, W of wall 30 (A)
265 Wall surface Op sig layer on wall 30 (A)
266 Wall surface Painted wall plaster (earlier) on wall 30 (A)
267 Wall surface Painted wall plaster (later) on wall 30 (A)
268 Layer Floor make-up for mosaic (A)
269 Floor Remains of mosaic floor adjacent to wall 30 (A)
270 Layer Tufa blocks – collapsed roof structure / ceiling in cold room /
cold bath 1 (D)
271 Layer Demolition / collapse deposit in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
276 Floor Mortar base / floor in cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
273 Layer Terrace fill exposed in base of cold room / cold bath 1 (D)
274 Layer Collapse / colluvial deposit (K)
275 Layer Collapse / abandonment deposit (K)
276 Layer Mortar base / foundation for exterior surface (E)
277 Layer Mortar base / foundation for exterior surface (E)
278 Layer Topsoil (N)
279 Layer Collapse / demolition deposit (A)
280 Layer Collapse / demolition deposit in base of hot room (C)
281 Floor Mortar base / floor in hot room (C)
282 Layer Rubble foundation in hot room (E)

16
 383700

383710
176250

Cold bath 2

9
12
2 Cold bath 1
18
Terrace cut 151 D
13
3
Frigidarium Steps
11 (cold room)
17

Apodyterium
(changing room)

4
176240 10
114
6
Entrance
5 Corridor
16 (Later) corn-
drying kiln
‘Pad’ 113
7
8

L 22

Column base 34 15
Masonry 33
14
Tepidarium
(warm room) 21
K E

Caldarium
(hot room)
Wall 30 N
20
C
A Wall 32
M
19
176230

Wall 31 J I

Key:
Previously excavated bath-house
Area of 2008 excavation
Wall/feature of earlier building 0 5m

This material is for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction.

Date: 16/02/09 Revision Number: 0

Wessex Scale: 1:1250 Illustrator: RG

Archaeology Path: Y:\...\58522\...\...\Assessment\09_02_13\A4_Fig02.ai

Plan of bath-house, and earlier structural remains (as recorded in October 2008) Figure 2
 Plate 3: Early building: detail of painted plaster on wall 30
(scale = 0.5m; view from east)

Plate 1: Bath-house: frigidarium (cold room)/cold bath 1; Plate 2: Bath-house: Caldarium (hot room); apsidal south end
plunge pool partly excavated to floor level partly excavated to floor level
(scale = 2m; view from north-east) (scale = 2m; view from north-west)

Plate 4. Early building: wall 31 and associated post-hole 260

(scale = 0.5m; view from east)

This material for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction

Date: 13/02/09 Revision Number: 0

Wessex Scale: NTS Illustrator: RG

Archaeology Path: Y:\PROJECTS\58522\Drawing Office\Report Figs\Assessment\09_02_13\A3_photo01.ai

Plates 1-4
 Plate 7: Promontory (arrowed) north of bath-house; site of lime/mortar preparation
area (view from south)

Plate 5: Early building: column base 34 exposed in base of Plate 6: Early building: window opening/niche in wall 32,
Trench M (scale = 1m; view from north-west) adjacent to wall 20 of bath-house (scale = 0.5m;
view from east)

Plate 8: Lime/mortar preparation

area, Trench B1 (scale =
1m; view from east)

This material for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction

Date: 13/02/09 Revision Number: 0

Wessex Scale: NTS Illustrator: RG

Archaeology Path: Y:\PROJECTS\58522\Drawing Office\Report Figs\Assessment\09_02_13\A3_photo02.ai

Plates 5-8
 Plate 9: Excavations in progress on lime/mortar preparation area – Trench B1

Plate 10: Pupils from Hardenhuish School investigate lime/mortar preparation area

This material for client report only © Wessex Archaeology. No unauthorised reproduction

Date: 13/02/09 Revision Number: 0

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Plates 9-10
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