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Part of the original 2000 year-old Roman Road has been unearthed at Stretton Sugwas.
Archaeologists came upon the find as part of an archaeological survey and investigation project ahead of Herefordshire Council’s major works to improve the "modern-day" Roman Road. Further archaeological investigations will take place during the construction works.
The preserved cobbled roadway at Stretton Sugwas runs parallel, and partly underneath, the existing road.
The old roadway was unearthed along with cremated human remains (bone fragments and ash) buried in the side of the road, luxury Roman pottery for formal dining use, fragments of glass from Roman bottles, and iron working by-products such as furnace slags and waste.
The original Roman Road ran from the former Roman Town at Kenchester to the settlement at Stretton Grandison, and formed an artificial causeway across the landscape.
The road would have enabled rapid communication and travel between key locations in this part of the Roman Empire.
Julian Cotton, Herefordshire Council's Archaeological Advisor, said: "Archaeological surveys and investigations are often undertaken by Herefordshire Council to ensure sites of historical significance are preserved or documented for future generations.
"In this case because of the sensitive nature of some of the remains, it is particularly important that thorough investigation takes place, as was anticipated in planning the road improvements."
The survey and investigation project is being undertaken by the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service of Worcestershire Council, supervised by the scheme consultants, Halcrow.
Herefordshire Council's Archaeology Service has developed and is monitoring the project.
The Roman Road Improvement Scheme has been designed using techniques intended to minimise any damage to archaeological remains.
Unavoidable areas of sensitivity have already been identified by an intensive programme of trial works, and will be archaeologically excavated prior to the road construction.
Roman Road found....Under Roman Road
12 February 2004
Part of the original 2000 year-old Roman Road has been unearthed at Stretton Sugwas.
Archaeologists came upon the find as part of an archaeological survey and investigation project ahead of Herefordshire Council’s major works to improve the "modern-day" Roman Road. Further archaeological investigations will take place during the construction works.
The preserved cobbled roadway at Stretton Sugwas runs parallel, and partly underneath, the existing road.
The old roadway was unearthed along with cremated human remains (bone fragments and ash) buried in the side of the road, luxury Roman pottery for formal dining use, fragments of glass from Roman bottles, and iron working by-products such as furnace slags and waste.
The original Roman Road ran from the former Roman Town at Kenchester to the settlement at Stretton Grandison, and formed an artificial causeway across the landscape.
The road would have enabled rapid communication and travel between key locations in this part of the Roman Empire.
Julian Cotton, Herefordshire Council's Archaeological Advisor, said: "Archaeological surveys and investigations are often undertaken by Herefordshire Council to ensure sites of historical significance are preserved or documented for future generations.
"In this case because of the sensitive nature of some of the remains, it is particularly important that thorough investigation takes place, as was anticipated in planning the road improvements."
The survey and investigation project is being undertaken by the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service of Worcestershire Council, supervised by the scheme consultants, Halcrow.
Herefordshire Council's Archaeology Service has developed and is monitoring the project.
The Roman Road Improvement Scheme has been designed using techniques intended to minimise any damage to archaeological remains.
Unavoidable areas of sensitivity have already been identified by an intensive programme of trial works, and will be archaeologically excavated prior to the road construction.