COUNTY archaeologists have uncovered Roman heritage during their first few days on site at the Roots in Time community excavation in Norton.
Judging by the artefacts unearthed, Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service (WAAS) believe the area is on the edge of a 2,000-year-old settlement.
Several large pieces of Samian ware – Roman pottery mostly imported from France – have been discovered by the volunteers alongside local pottery, several possible loom weights used for weaving fabric and other domestic finds.
The finds include a little Roman pot with the name POTTACV stamped into the base.
It’s rare to get a named individual in archaeology, but this star find does just that: the potter whose workshop made this Samian ware cup was called Pottacus.
There was a workshop with this name in central France (Gaul at the time) and finds like this demonstrate the extent of trade and connectivity across Britain in the Romano-British period.
Archaeologist and project lead Nina O’Hare said: “It’s exciting to see the first glimpses of a settlement which had lain hidden for centuries.
“There are hints of prehistoric settlement too, so we’re particularly interested to explore the site’s origins. As the excavation continues and the finds are studied afterwards, a more detailed picture of the people who lived here long ago will begin to emerge.”
Volunteer slots on the excavation are now fully booked, but visitors are welcome to explore the site on an open day from 11am to 3pm on September 17 where there will be site tours by the archaeologists, a demonstration of a geophysical survey and live drone photography.
Visitors can park at The Valley and walk down to the excavation site – it will be signed and is a 20-minute stroll along a trackway then footpath before the final section of the route which is not accessible to wheelchairs or pushchairs.
The project has been made possible by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England:
Visit www.explorethepast.co.uk/project/roots-in-time/ for more.
