Southwell Archaeology- the site of Southwell Community Archaeology Group (SCAG)

A brief description of the Roman and medieval
remains at Church Street Southwell

Early settlement in the vicinity comprises the Romano-British remains identified as a villa by Daniels in 1959. Excavation partly exposed two apparent wings; a south range containing at least four rooms with mosaics, and an east range with bathhouse suite, richly decorated with painted plaster, lying 30 m to the south-east of the current groundwork.

Signs of early 6th century Anglo-Saxon occupation were also discovered, comprising an urn and several possibly contemporary post-holes.

A 2004 investigation by Lee Elliot [Trent & Peak Archaeological Unit] revealed the first evidence for a possible northern range to the large courtyard villa proposed by Daniels, following his discovery of apparent eastern and. southern wings.

This gives a north to south dimension of 90m, exceeding the 180 x 220 feet extent proposed by Daniels putting Southwell firmly amongst the larger sized villas within the East Midlands, with the courtyard plan and richly painted bath suite suggesting a building of much greater pretension than the simpler "winged corridor" villas found at Mansfield Woodhouse and Norton Disney.

The new evidence for a north range reinforces the impression that this was a building of some substance. Structural finds included box flue and pilae tiles, as well as a possible bipedalis brick, all suggest the presence of a hypocaust within the north range. Further finds included roof tile, waterproof plaster (opus signinum), painted plaster fragments and red, white and greyish blue tesserae for a mosaic. Similar tesserae were used in the composition of the mosaics in the south range, which from the limited dating evidence available and through the affinity with styles elsewhere, were dated to the mid to late 4th century AD.

Evidence for development in the post-Roman period focuses largely in the Minster, following the granting of the estate of Southwell to Oskytel, Archbishop of York in AD 956. By the mid-11th century this included the establishment of an archiepiscal residence, the apparent construction of a church and the foundation of a college of secular canons with associated prebends and communal fraters.
Medieval burials found beyond the present limits of the Minster Yard suggest it once extended further east, incorporating the remains of the villa, the existing grounds of the Vicars Choral and parts of the Minster School lying on the South side of church Street.

Little new development has occurred in this area since the late medieval period with the exception of rebuilding and alteration work on the prebendal mansions and the construction and now recent demolition of the Minster School.

As a consequence of the investigation by Daniels in 1959 the East Wing was designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was excluded from the construction area of the Minster School.

The Minster School has recently relocated to a new site on Nottingham Road. The site on Church Street has been acquired for residential development. Planning Permission was granted in 2003 by Newark and Sherwood District Council despite various objections. The permission was for 13 dwellings including the site of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

A new application has been lodged by the current owner of the site for 37 dwellings, again with a proposal to place a building on the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Southwell Community Archaeology Group's Concerns

Southwell Community Archaeology Group [SCAG] is a non political group drawn from the wider community with the principal aim of promoting and preserving the archaeological heritage of Southwell.

Many organisations and individuals have lodged objections to this application including SCAG.

The grounds of our objection are:-

1. Adverse impact on the Scheduled Ancient Monument [S.A.M] and important Roman villa remains outside the S.A.M.

2. Detrimental effect on the archaeology on the remainder of the site subject to the application.

3. The inadequacy of the proposed educational information point.

4. The lack of comprehensive planning for the site and its resultant adverse impact on the wider archaeological heritage and tourism potential of the Roman villa.

We say archaeology by its very nature presupposes that the physical fabric of society is on a continuum and we are wholly alive to this. Progress and development is inevitable. The fundamental objection to these proposals is to the seemingly wanton disregard of significant archaeological remains and their importance to the rich heritage of this part of Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.

Huge strides have been and continue to be taken to promote the history of the area and we believe that the Roman villa site in its larger context must take its rightful place in this.

The whole climate of the importance of heritage to the local and national identity has changed in recent years.

" Present and future generations would benefit enormously from safeguarding the known remains and preserving others, so that they can be made available to all. To do otherwise would be a tragic waste of a potentially valuable tourism and heritage asset" [Julian Henderson - Professor of Archaeology Nottingham University].

SCAG's immediate aims are to ensure that:

• No part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument Roman villa site is subject to new building or permanent cover.
  
• The Scheduled Ancient Monument Roman villa site is left undisturbed and clearly recognisable in the public view either by identification on the surface or permanent exposure
  
• The Scheduled Ancient Monument Villa Site is a green finger and focal point for developing a proper understanding of the Roman phase of Southwell's original development and heritage.
  
• Full archaeological survey (including excavation as required) of the whole former school site is carried out.

We are working in partnership wherever possible with all those concerned to secure these objectives.

Looking forward

Firing the Imagination

SCAG believes that the prospect of telling the story of past human settlement in Southwell will fire the imagination of the community. We are confident we can draw upon the help, enthusiasm and energy of local residents, volunteers, organisations.

Project Ideas

• Geophysical survey of the adjacent playing fields to complement the investigation work on the development site.
  
• Review of all archaeological reports, archival research and known finds to provide a composite record and guide to the archaeological story of Southwell, drawing in Roman, Early Medieval, High Medieval and post Medieval, including the Civil War phases - this will provide the key for further initiatives.
  
• Survey of the gardens of The Residence and gardens of the houses in Vicar's Court - with permission of The Dean and Chapter.
  
• Further investigation of the Scheduled Ancient Monument Site area.
  
• Development of specific projects with the local schools, young people and other interested groups.
  
• Finds identification days to give an insight into what has been found, over time, throughout the town.
  
• Investigation of the feasibility of restoration and conservation of known finds and artefacts.
  
• Construction of a small "garden" with appropriate information to permanently mark the villa site for future generations.
  
• Production of replica mosaics - possibly as a pavement on an appropriate site.
  
• Production of a Virtual Tour of the Roman villa area.
  
• Outcomes will include guidebooks, schools information packs, tourism and other literature, visual displays to the benefit of local people and tourists.