Welsh Journals

Cowbridge IN April 1972 and May 1973, evidence of Roman occupation was observed on three sites in Cowbridge. Site A (SS 99347473). A trench dug for cables produced sherds of Romano-British grey and black ware, second-century samian, and animal bones in a layer of grey clay flecked with charcoal about 3 ft. below the surface and overlaid by medieval deposits. This layer was traced for a distance of about 180 ft. from the line of the High Street northwards to the site of the town wall. Site B (SS 99417469). Demolished shop premises on the north side of High Street (subsequently investigated by Mr. G. Beaudette of the Barry and Vale Archaeological Group). About 3 to 4 ft. below the surface an extensive black soil layer, 1 to 2 ft. thick, rested on grey clay mixed with charcoal. The layer produced sherds of Romano-British red and grey ware (mostly second-century types), a bone hairpin, and fragments of flanged roofing tiles. Particles of burnt clay (? or daub) were also observed throughout the layer. It is noteworthy that potsherds of the late first and early second century were also found on the south side of the High Street during the laying of a water-pipe in 1962 (Site C. SS 99597459). These were found in 'a seam of black earth' 2 ft. 6 in. below the surface (Western Mail, 16 May 1962). Site D (SS. 99307472). In the vicinity of the 'Old Hall' on the south side of the High Street, traces of Roman occupation were observed during building development. Trenches cut against the south wall of the 16th-century outbuilding adjacent to the west side of the Old Hall revealed rich Roman deposits over 3 ft. deep. The sections showed first a black soil layer 2 ins. deep below which there was a 6 in. layer of white substance (? decayed lime mortar, possibly a floor). This rested on a 10 in. clayey layer flecked with charcoal and small fragments of tile, beneath which was a rubble deposit, the total depth of which was not ascertained. These layers produced sherds of amphora, grey and black burnished ware, and fragments of second-century samian. The Roman deposits here lay almost immediately below the surface, the usual medieval and post medieval deposits being conspicuously absent and, presumably, having been removed when the grounds of the Old Hall were landscaped in the last century.