Period: Late Iron Age and Roman times (c. 100 BC - AD 500)

Project title: Comparing micro-refuse assemblages from known activity areas to those from the Late Iron Age/Roman site of Silchester, Hampshire, UK.

Researcher: Rowena Yvonne Banerjea, University of Reading, England.

E-mail: r.y.banerjea(at)reading.ac.uk

Year: 2007

Abstract:

The remains of the Roman town of Silchester have been excavated very thoroughly. Even traces of past activity that are so small they can only be seen under the microscope have been investigated.

Using a microscope it is possible to see the particles, which the soil contains. These particles can reveal which activities have taken place on the site, although they can be difficult to interpret. For example, iron particles were found around some hearths in the town, but is this because iron was smith on the hearths or that food was prepared in iron vessels?

In this project samples will be examined from places where iron has been worked or food prepared.

These modern samples will then be compared with the original samples and in this way they will help us to understand which activities took place where in the Roman town.

Reference number: HAF 21/07