Excavation at Bantham, South Devon, and Post-Roman Trade in South-West England

• Published in: Medieval archaeology 2011-01, Vol.55 (1), p.82-138
• Main Authors: Reed, Stephen, Bidwell, Paul, Allan, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0076-6097; 1745-817X
• DOI: 10.1179/174581711X13103897378447

Excavation at Bantham Ham in 2001 examined a sequence of post-Roman occupation with radiocarbon dates centred on the late 5th and 6th centuries. Despite the limited area of exposure, a major and unusually well-preserved assemblage of Mediterranean amphorae was recovered; among sites in the British Isles, the quantity of ceramics is second only to that from Tintagel. This assemblage is of great significance in the study of links between western Britain and the Mediterranean in the post-Roman period, raising questions about the date, duration and character of trading patterns, and about their late-Roman antecedents. Associated finds of vessel glass and evidence of ironworking are discussed; the glass is interpreted as reflecting elite drinking rituals. Study of well-preserved bone, shell, charcoal and charred plant macrofossils allows consideration of aspects of the economy and environment of the site.