Roman-Era Settlement and Medieval Longhouse Unearthed in Wales

A team of archaeologists from the University of Chester, Heneb: the Trust for Welsh Archaeology and the Portable Antiquities Scheme has uncovered the ruins of a Roman settlement and a rare Medieval longhouse in Wrexham, North East Wales.

The archaeologists unearthed structural features and materials dating to the Roman era and the early Medieval period during an excavation at a site near the Holt Roman tile and pottery works in Wrexham, North East Wales.

They also found the structure of an early Medieval longhouse — a long, narrow, building for communal dwelling.

“We were very hopeful of finding evidence of Roman life due to previous discoveries and geophysical surveys in the area, not to mention the presence of the legionary tileworks a few fields away, but did not expect our excavations to uncover what is believed to be an early Medieval longhouse,” said Dr. Caroline Pudney, senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Chester.

“The discovery of a Roman settlement is extremely important in building a bigger picture of Roman Wrexham and although early Medieval longhouses have been found in other parts of Wales, to unearth evidence of such a building in North East Wales is extremely rare.”

The team also unearthed a trackway, structures, building materials, ceramics, including a stamped legionary tile, and a fragment of a brooch.

“While we are yet to begin the post-excavation investigations, during which all the findings will be analyzed, the samples processed and scientific dating obtained, this is potentially a very exciting new find for the region, which could help us to fill in current gaps in understanding about the construction and use of Medieval longhouses,” said Chris Matthews, project archaeologist and geophysicist with Heneb.

“The dig followed trial trenching carried out by the Holt Local History Society between 2013 and 2017, during which a significant quantity of Roman ceramics and other objects were recovered.”

“An examination of these artifacts led to Heneb and the University of Chester undertaking geophysical surveys which further enhanced the site’s archaeological potential.”

“Despite unfavorable geological conditions, the surveys, which comprised high-resolution magnetometry, revealed a clear outline of a gridded settlement and road system, as well as distinct rectangular structures just outside the settlement boundaries.”