Stock farming at the fenland edge (Milton, week 9)

A happy archaeologist! © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
A whetstone © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
Whetston, glass and a coin © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023

The past week spent at Milton has provided us with some insightful discoveries. We appear to be near, but not on top of, a major villa complex. The density and quality of finds remain at a level consistent with significant high-status occupation and associated cattle farming and dairying. A substantial amount of cattle bone continues to be unearthed from the enclosure ditches, suggesting at least a portion of the herd was slaughtered for its meat. A lower proportion of other domesticates (sheep/goat, pig, fowl etc.) likely derive from kitchen waste, and, in addition, at least a portion of the diet includes scallops, oysters and marine fish.

Soil samples have produced an interesting balance of wild/cultivated seed grains. The majority have been barley grains with some naked wheat and possible einkorn spikelets. There has been no evidence for crop processing, although the wild seeds derive from crop contaminants, suggesting little effort in processing for human consumption and perhaps were imported onto site for use as animal feed.

The network of ditches under investigation represents a series of animal enclosures with an overall grid-like pattern. These enclosures were laid out, modified, expanded, subdivided, and re-laid out at various points during the occupation, serving either the requirements of the villa estate or for commercial purposes, and reflecting changes in local markets or the regional economy at different times. Comparable Roman sites often yield large quantities of split meat-bearing limb bones, as well as deposits primarily composed of head and foot bones. These findings are often indicative of butchery for meat, and utilisation of bone marrow, but also of secondary production of skins for hide/leather tanning and bone/horn for carving.  At present the assemblages at Milton suggest these raw materials were generated, perhaps for market, but craft waste or associated processing evidence has not yet come to light.

Uncovering the box flue tile © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
Close-up of the box flue tile © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
OSL Sampling © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023

Few tools have yet been identified. A whetstone was found this week that would have been needed for sharpening tools such as blades, but is a common artefact associated with nearly all agricultural or crafting activities related to blade maintenance. In addition to the animal bone, we continue to recover a remarkable number of finewares alongside occasional specialist ceramic building materials such as box flu tile, which is typically associated with warm air underfloor and wall cavity heating systems known as hypocausts. Such tile is usually only associated with prestigious buildings, particularly villas and bathhouses, and their condition suggests that although heavily broken up, the tile has not travelled far from the demolished structure.

In conjunction with the digging activities being undertaken, we have collected samples for Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL). This valuable technique is used in archaeology, particularly in the study of geomorphology, to date sediments where artefacts are absent. The occupation and abandonment of Roman sites are well dated by their pottery deposition; however, we have now also started to encounter earlier pits, possibly waterholes that may derive from prehistoric activity long before the Roman settlement was conceived. We will use OSL to establish a chronology of this site development and the OSL dating facilitates the comparison and correlation of early features, helping to establish regional chronologies and investigate connections between cultural groups where occasional artefacts arise. Additionally, it contributes to understanding the time periods of changing past environmental conditions, which are crucial for interpreting interaction between humans and their surroundings.

As our exploration progresses, we anticipate further discoveries that will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the historical context and activities undertaken at Milton.

Photogram (original) © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
Photogram (enhanced) © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023
Combined plan with overlay of activity © Copyright ARS Ltd 2023

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Previous update (week 8).

Next update (week 10).

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