The Finds: Introduction

The focus of the finds reporting here is, first, on the evidence for dating the sequence of buildings on the 'House 1' site. This has turned out to depend primarily on the evidence of the samian and coarse pottery, less so on that of the coins, 'small finds' and glass. Second, there are reports that contribute to understanding the materials used in the buildings: types of stone, ceramic tile, wall plaster and iron nails. Third, the studies of the material culture contribute to our understanding of status and function, particularly in relation to Timber Buildings 1 and 4, where a significant proportion of finds appear to have been lost during the lifetime of the buildings. With the other buildings it is harder to identify contemporary occupation layers as opposed to make-up and levelling layers, or instances of votive or structured deposits of material culture or animal remains, such as those associated with Timber Building 3. Fourth, therefore, the reports on the 'small finds', pottery, animal and human bone, and the plant remains all make contributions to understanding the role of votive or 'ritual' deposition in the construction and life of the buildings. Finally, the reports on the 'small finds', pottery, glass and the animal bone, in particular, all have wider contributions to make in respect of 1st to 3rd century AD society and economy of Calleva.

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