Northern Archaeological Associates,
Jan Summerfield and Pete Wilson (CAS)
Background.
The Aims of the Project.
Methodology.
Bibliography.
The high quality of the archaeology in the area around the town of Catterick in North Yorkshire is well known, the Roman town of Cataractonium having been the scene of archaeological investigations for over forty years (Archaeology Review 1995-6, 35). Archaeological evaluation in advance of the proposed extension of the A1 motorway confirmed that Roman occupation extended beyond the known confines of the town, under the racecourse and into the adjacent agricultural land (CAS News 4, 4-5). In addition, evaluative excavations on a Roman roadside settlement located on Dere Steet south of Cataractonium, have demonstrated that the site was more extensive than previously thought and was the site of pottery-making and possibly other industrial activity.
After ploughing during the summer of 1997 thieves using metal detectors raided part of the site at night. The following night the thieves were chased off the site by the landowner who had undertaken an all night vigil to catch them.
Following these events a number of local metal-detector users approached the landowners and sought permission to undertake controlled survey and recovery on two sites with a view to preventing further illegal activity on the monument. A simultaneous approach to the North Yorkshire County Archaeologist (Mr Neil Campling) resulted in an application to English Heritage to grant-aid Northern Archaeological Associates to co-ordinate the recovery and record the location of finds arising from the survey, The Central Archaeological Service (CAS), working with external specialists, undertook the identification of the finds located by the metal detector users.
The proposal was of considerable interest to the CAS both as a means of obtaining further data on the Catterick area and also to provide comparative data for the ongoing project survey and evaluation project at Owmby, Lincolnshire where trial excavation has been combined with intensive fieldwalking and controlled metal-detecting (CAS project 552) (see Archaeology Review).
Main aims
- The enhancement of the understanding of the sites around the Roman town of Cataractonium.
- The protection of the archaeological resource through the controlled location and removal of objects otherwise likely to be illegally removed from the sites.
Specific objectives
- The encouragement of the responsible use of metal detectors in the light of the Treasure Act of 1996.
- The provision of comparative data for the Owmby project with regard to recovery rates for different machines under different soil and collection regimes.
- The provision of further data relating to the site with a view to contributing to both the CAS Catterick monograph project and the Monument Protection Programme with regard to the quality and extent of the archaeological resource in the area.
- The encouragement of landowners to continue and develop care for the sites on their land by demonstrating concern for their vulnerability.
The area to be surveyed was divided into blocks measuring one hectare, with all findspots marked and subsequently located by an EDM survey. The depths of the finds were recorded by the finders.
A full list of the finds recovered was submitted to the Yorkshire Museum, the NYCC Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) together with a site summary as specified under English Heritage field recording protocols (English Heritage 1991).
The finds were identified by the CAS and specialists commissioned by the CAS. Conservation of the finds was only undertaken in cases where it was required for the identification or stabilisation of the objects prior to their study by specialists.
The finds were returned to the landowners and finders in accordance with the provisions of the Treasure Act, with a recommendation that they be donated to an approved museum.
The paper archive from the site will be deposited in the Yorkshire Museum. The possibility of further reporting or publication is still to be decided, using these documents as a basis.
The fieldwork stage of the project ran throughout September 1997 with the analysis of the finds being undertaken in the four months following. In February 1998 a meeting will be arranged (on a mutually agreed date) at which the finders and landowners can discuss the finds with the specialists.
Archaeology Review 1995-6, English Heritage
Archaeology Review 1996-7, English Heritage
CAS News 4, Winter 1995, English Heritage
English Heritage 1991 Management of Archaeological Projects Second Edition. English Heritage.
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