University of Southampton Team Discovers Ancient Roman Shrine in Iron Age Hillfort Near Nesscliffe, Shropshire, Led by Dr. Paul Reilly
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
5 minutes read. Updated 6:40PM GMT Fri, 9August, 2024
A team of researchers has uncovered what they believe to be a Roman shrine amidst the ruins of an Iron Age hillfort. The excavation took place near Nesscliffe in Shropshire, England, where archaeologists stumbled upon a circular arrangement of worn stones surrounded by post holes.
Dr. Paul Reilly, a research fellow at the University of Southampton, spearheaded the excavation. He noted that the formation suggested a ritualistic practice, with people having circled the site repeatedly. The discovery has been deemed “spectacular” by Historic England, highlighting its significance in understanding the region’s ancient history.
The site, believed to date back to around 500 BC, has been subject to five rounds of excavation by a mix of amateur and professional archaeologists. The latest visit, set to be their final one, will involve an additional week of searching, focusing on locating more post holes. This effort is expected to provide further insights into the site’s historical context.
Evidence suggests that the shrine was constructed during the Roman occupation of Britain, which spanned from the 1st to the 4th centuries AD. Pottery fragments discovered in the vicinity support this dating. Catherine Wood, a volunteer archaeologist from nearby Great Ness, described the find as thrilling. The team discovered post holes of various sizes, indicating that a wooden structure might have once stood over the shrine.
“We don’t yet know what kind of structures were present, so it remains a puzzle,” Wood remarked. She has been involved in archaeology for the past three years and finds the experience profoundly rewarding. “I was overwhelmed when I realized that the last person to occupy this space lived over two-and-a-half thousand years ago,” she added.
Dr. Reilly hopes to enhance public understanding by installing information boards featuring artists’ renditions and 3D reconstructions of the site. Additionally, any artifacts uncovered will eventually be donated to the Shrewsbury Museum, enriching the region’s cultural heritage.
