It’s week 13 of our work at Milton and as we draw nearer to the culmination of our archaeological endeavours, the site continues to generously unveil its secrets.
If you’ve been following the story so far, the unfolding narrative revolves around an esteemed Roman farmstead that centred its activities on the practice of animal husbandry.
The unearthing of the associated intricate enclosure systems has proven to be immensely fruitful, granting us access to a treasure trove of animal bone specimens adorned with unmistakable butchery marks. The presence of artefacts like whey strainers and cheese presses too serves as compelling evidence of dairying activities within this captivating environment. Moreover, the abundance of fine table wares and the remarkable discovery of a partially intact bone comb this week continue to support the notion these enclosures were integral to a Villa estate.
Our investigations have shed light on the idea this site did not experience a singular epoch of Roman occupation. Instead, it seemingly bore witness to cycles of expansion and contraction, indicative of its dynamic history. The reappearance of certain enclosures after a period of reutilisation, alongside instances of noticeable expansion, offers valuable insights into the profound interrelation between the farmstead’s growth and the urban development of Duroliponte (present-day Cambridge).
Originally an Iron Age hillfort, Duroliponte likely housed a modest Roman military station around AD 70. However, the settlement underwent a significant transformation, evolving into a civilian centre, approximately fifty years later. Despite facing a decline during the 3rd century, the town experienced a resurgence when fortified walls were established a century later, sparking a period of renewed expansion. This symbiotic growth pattern observed in Duroliponte likely reverberates in the historical trajectory of the Milton site. The remarkable abundance of animal bone assemblages recovered from our excavations suggests a substantial scale of commercial production, tantalisingly providing glimpses into the economy and lifestyle of the Roman inhabitants who once thrived here.