PRE-CONSTRUCT ARCHAEOLOGY
 
PCA Monograph No. 15

Faverdale, Darlington: Excavations at a major settlement in the northern frontier zone of Roman Britain.

Jennifer Proctor, PCA monograph 15

PCA Monograph No.13The discovery in 2004 of a Roman period settlement during archaeological investigations by Pre-Construct Archaeology was highly unexpected given the paucity of remains of this date in the Darlington area. Around the late first century AD an unenclosed farmstead was established at the site and the quantity of South Gaulish samian from this period indicates that from its earliest inception Faverdale was a settlement of some standing. A remarkable discovery was that of a small stone two-room building, furnished with a hypocaust system and decorated with painted wall plaster, set within a substantial rectilinear ditched enclosure constructed in the second century AD. Following a period of abandonment during the third century, a large stone structure was constructed in the late fourth century demonstrating activity at Faverdale as the Roman period drew to a close.

This book details the fascinating evidence for social and cultural change within a remarkably short space of time after the occupation of the frontier zone by the Roman military. Far from being a landscape of distinct native farms and military stations, it appears life in the northern frontier zone was a much more dynamic and varied experience for the local population, with traditional handmade pottery in use along with new forms inspired by Roman vessels; the conclusion drawn is that the settlement was engaged in trade with the Roman military or vici markets. The inhabitants of Faverdale seem to have been selecting, rejecting and hybridizing elements of Roman material cultural that were available to them, whilst steadfastly maintaining aspects of their own traditions, material culture and identity.


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