Roman and medieval occupation at Shoppenhanger Manor, Maidenhead

Excavation confirmed the presence of an enclosed Roman settlement within the western part of a development site at Shoppenhanger Manor, Maidenhead. Two concentric curvilinear enclosure ditches were found. Small quantities of residual prehistoric material found in these ditches indicated a long sequence of activity in this location. The ditches themselves represented distinct, but chronologically close, phases of development of 1st to early 2nd century AD date. Most dateable material was recovered from the fills of the inner ditch. The only surviving evidence of internal features was three small ditch segments which may relate to structures or internal divisions. Limited evidence of later Roman activity included a mixed deposit of pottery from the upper fills of the inner ditch, which indicated that activity continued into the 4th century. Wider evidence of later Roman activity around the site was represented by finds of brick and tile, which suggested the presence of a substantial building. Extensive truncation and disturbance, associated with medieval activity and the construction of the former Manor House, was evident across the site, and intrusive medieval and post-medieval material was present within disturbed Roman features. A ditch and a pit represented the only features of confirmed medieval and post-medieval date, together with a chalk block-lined medieval well recorded during the later watching brief.