Archaeologists have discovered exceptionally well-preserved remains of an Iron Age village.
This village evolved into a bustling ancient Roman trading town. One of the recently uncovered artifacts includes a gemstone along with over 300 Roman coins, glassware, and a well – located in what is now the South Northamptonshire district of England.
According to approximately 80 archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), there are numerous artifacts and ancient architectural structures that span different time periods.
Roman coins discovered during the archaeological excavation at Blackgrounds, England.
James West, site manager at MOLA, stated: “What you will see is a range of different activities involving workers and traders.”
Archaeologists have been aware of Blackgrounds’ history since the 18th century, but it was not until the HS2 survey and excavation that they recognized the site’s significant preservation potential.
For instance, they discovered that during the Iron Age, the village had over 30 roundhouses located near a road. Over time, the settlement prospered and expanded. During the Roman period, the inhabitants of Blackgrounds constructed new stone buildings and roads.
The transition from an Iron Age village to a Roman town occurred rapidly, likely because the residents of Blackgrounds remained in place, adapting to the ways of the Roman Empire – a process referred to as Romanization. This included the adoption of Roman customs, products, and construction techniques, according to archaeologists.
The excavation revealed that the settlement was divided into several distinct areas, including a domestic zone with building foundations and an industrial zone featuring workshops, kilns, and preserved wells. Part of Blackgrounds had fired red clay, a sign that burning activities took place at the site – for instance, bread ovens, metalworking workshops, or pottery kilns.
Other artifacts reflecting the prosperity of Blackgrounds include Roman-style textile accessories, decorative ceramics, and a Roman snake-headed brooch. The archaeological team also found galena, a mineral containing lead sulfide that ancient Romans crushed and mixed with oil to create cosmetics.
The research team also excavated a set of shackles similar to those found in Great Casterton, a village in the East Midlands of England. Although these newly discovered shackles were not found in human burials, their presence suggests that Blackgrounds may have had enslaved individuals or engaged in criminal activities.
