Archaeology from Bronze Age to Roman Times

        ¤ Bronze Age activity in Pucklechurch ¤

The Bronze Age evidence in Pucklechurch to date is the large tumulus on Shortwood Hill which first appears on the 1880 OS map. Investigation of this feature has been limited due to its position on the side of the road, being cut by a hedge, and lying under 1.2m of grasses. Further survey work is required on this burial mound to give it a definite dating. A programme of basic field walking and geophysical survey would ascertain whether it had been robbed at its core or remains intact. It is included in the list of Gloucestershire Barrows by Grinsell and O’Neil, who confirm that it is 27 paces in diameter and 4ft high. For the time being, this mound remains one of Pucklechurch's mysteries.

A stone artefact, possibly a saddle quern and another stone item found in the area running out of Pucklechurch towards Hinton could also be dated to this early period.

¤ Roman activity in Pucklechurch ¤

The abundance of Roman evidence in Pucklechurch is well supported by archaeological finds. Pucklechurch lies to the east of the Roman road from Bitton to Berkeley, with a possible road running east-west through Hinton. Roman and other finds from the area are in private possession which includes three Roman coins, two indistinct but one from the reign of Constantine (dated by Avon Archaeology).

Also, a bronze seal box lid or pendant with beading, hinge and oval 'shield' of uncertain date was found in a nearby field, which could be Roman or medieval, and an early medieval iron spur. The finding of a Roman spoon has also been mentioned but cannot be verified at present. The abundance of Roman evidence in Pucklechurch is well supported by archaeological finds.

¤ Early Medieval Iron Spur ¤

In 1968 an excavation at the edge of the parish boundary towards Hinton was organised by Mr Charles Brown of Bristol University, as a result of quantities of Roman ceramic ware being found in one of the fields. A lead coffin of Roman date was uncovered during the excavation but was regretfully stolen during the night, and the bones scattered. After some research was done, it was discovered that these bones were from a young woman aged about 24 years, and that the density of Roman finds suggested more than just 'activity' but a possible settlement of sorts in the parish.

Romano-British activity has also been found in excavations that have taken place in Pucklechurch itself, the first being in 1994 in the Parkfield Road area by the Cotswold Archaeological Trust. The evaluation established Roman features as the first evidence in the village of Roman occupation. The remains were structural as well as industrial, as fragments of slag were also found dating to the 1st.or 2nd. Century AD; otherwise only post-Roman tiles and two fragments of medieval tile were found.

Also in 1994 evidence of boundaries or drainage ditches from the Romano-British period dated to 2nd. to 4th. Century AD were found, and some masonry debris was uncovered including a dwarf column base, 2 fragments of quernstone, and a fragment of slab table top. The earliest feature was a linear ditch or gulley which had been back-filled in the 5th. Century, possibly due to a change in water levels, as a high water table had been caused by the natural clay lying on the limestone, possibly occurring in the Roman period.

In 1998 further investigation revealed several rectilinear ditches dated to the Romano-British period, and some modern pits. As a result of this and previous work, the presence of small ditched paddocks or agricultural enclosures from the Roman period is suggested. The whole central area showed signs of a settlement nucleus. There is evidence of a very high archaeological potential of the areas adjacent to this site and a geophysical survey undertaken in 1999 established the existence of rectilinear gullies or ditches of Romano-British date, undoubtedly associated with the similar examples found in 1998.

It is concluded that the Roman finds in Pucklechurch and environs confirm a strong Roman presence from the 1st./2nd. to 4th./5th. Centuries AD and definite occupation levels, bearing in mind that Pucklechurch is only about 1.6 km east of the Roman Road from Bitton. There is a distinct possibility of Roman villas in the vicinity of Pucklechurch.