Vast Roman trading settlement uncovered by HS2 archaeologists in Northamptonshire

Archaeologists working for HS2 have uncovered a vast Roman trading settlement in Northamptonshire.

The find is one of the most significant archaeological sites that the project has found to date. It was uncovered near the small village of Blackgrounds, about 10km northeast of Banbury in Northamptonshire.

Blackgrounds is named after the black soil found there, and is one of over 100 archaeological sites examined by HS2 between London and Birmingham since 2018.

Over the past twelve months, a team of around 80 archaeologists from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) Headland Infrastructure have been excavating the site, which was an Iron Age village that developed into a wealthy Roman trading town.

The original use of the site began in the Iron Age. Over 30 roundhouses from that time have been uncovered alongside an Iron Age road.

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Evidence shows that as the settlement expanded, it became more prosperous during the Roman period when new stone buildings and roads emerged.

Running through the site is a 10m wide Roman road, showing that the settlement would have been very busy, with carts transporting goods.

The wealth of the settlement is likely to have been based on trade, both from the nearby River Cherwell and via the Roman road.

Over 300 Roman coins have been recovered, showing that a significant volume of commerce was passing through this area.

Aerial picture of Blackgrounds Roman site

Alongside coins, other finds uncovered during the dig include glass vessels, highly decorative pottery, jewellery and even evidence of make-up as traces of the mineral galena, lead sulphide, was found on the site, a substance that was crushed and mixed with oil as makeup.

A particularly interesting discovery was half a set of shackles, which may suggest the presence of either criminal activity or slave labour.

The removed artefacts are being cleaned and analysed by specialists from MOLA and the details of the buildings and layout of the settlement are being carefully mapped.

Speaking about the site, James West, MOLA Site Manager said: “This is certainly one of the most impressive sites MOLA Headland Infrastructure has discovered whilst working on the HS2 scheme. A particular highlight for me has been understanding the emerging story of Blackgrounds, which we now know spans multiple time periods. Uncovering such a well-preserved and large Roman road, as well as so many high quality finds has been extraordinary and tells us so much about the people who lived here. The site really does have the potential to transform our understanding of the Roman landscape in the region and beyond.”

Aerial shots with drone of Blackgrounds Roman archaeological site

Mike Court, Lead Archaeologist for HS2, said: “As we near the end of our archaeological field work between London and Birmingham, we have made some unprecedented discoveries, which we will continue to share with communities near our works. The opportunity to carefully examine a site such as Blackgrounds, and map out a long history of the site, brought to life through artefacts, building remains and roads, has enabled us to provide a more in depth understanding of what life was like in rural South Northamptonshire in the Iron and Roman Age.”

The history of the site, from the Iron Age to the Roman era, features in the new BBC Digging for Britain series, hosted by Professor Alice Roberts. The episode featuring the Blackgrounds dig aired on BBC Two on Tuesday, 11th January at 8 pm.