Camerton Settlement

Iron-work and Minor Settlement

This is the site of a small Romano-British town together with associated Prehistoric and early medieval remains, located in fields north and south of the modern A367. Partial excavation between 1926 and 1956 has provided a detailed account of these remains. Activity in the Neolithic period (4400-2400 BC) is attested by evidence of isolated features and dispersed finds.

Camerton Settlement in the Bronze Age

In the Bronze Age (2400-650 BC) two round barrows (burial mounds) were constructed on the hilltop south of the modern road. One of these barrows survives to a height of over 6m.

Camerton Settlement in the Iron Age

Evidence of the Iron Age (650 BC-43 AD) occupation includes a ditched enclosure at the eastern end of the monument and more scattered features elsewhere on the site.

Camerton Settlement in the Roman Period

Around AD 47 the Fosse Way Roman road between Bath and Exeter was constructed over the Iron Age settlement. About this time the first buildings of timber were erected mainly on the north side of the road. Stone buildings were erected c. A.D. 180, also on the north side of the Fosse Way and timber outbuildings on the south side.

Early in the third century fire destroyed some of these buildings resulting in a re-building in the latter half of that century. At the same time iron smelting and pewter industries also resulted in further building. Building was resumed in the early fourth century. The site appears to have been abandoned e

Iron smelting industry at Camerton

In latter half of the third century the iron smelting and pewter industries also resulted in further building. Building was resumed in the early fourth century. The site appears to have been abandoned

By the 3rd century AD, the settlement featured a small-scale iron smelting industry. Poorer building in the next century indicates decline and by the 5th century the site was occupied by squatters. The area immediately north of the Romano-British town was used as a cemetery by the Anglo-Saxons during the 6th and 7th centuries AD.

RIB 180 - Fragmentary dedication

…]anus built it in the consulship of … and Quintianus.

[...]ANVS
[...  ]ONDEDIT
[...] ET QVINTIANO COS

The consulship of Cn. Claudius Severus and L. Ti. Claudius Aurelius Quintianus (A.D. 235) would suit the style of lettering. The consulship of M. Magrius Bassus and L. Ragonius Quintianus (A.D. 289) seems less likely.

Possible Romano-British Temple at Camerton

CAMERTON : unmethodically dug by J. Skinner in 1814-15 (Fig. 98). Building with several irregular rooms in semi-circular court with frontage of 75 ft. No precise parallel. Part of dedicatory inscription dated (probably) 235 [vide RIB 180 supra], skirt and feet of stone statue, pedestal with feet of four figures, large column capital, stone spearhead, painted plaster, pottery, etc., five coins (British and Vespasian to Constantine). All points to small shrine of unusual type.” (Lewis 1966 p.96)

References for Camerton

  • Chronology of the Ancient World by E.J. Bickerman (Thames & Hudson, London, 1980);
  • Temples in Roman Britain by M.J.T. Lewis (Cambridge 1966);
  • The Roman Inscriptions of Britain by R.G. Collingwood and R.P. Wright (Oxford 1965).

Map References for Camerton

NGRef: ST6856 OSMap: LR172

Roman Roads near Camerton

Fosse Way: NNE (8) to Aqvae Svlis (Bath, Avon) Fosse Way: SSW (8) to Shepton Mallet (Somerset)

Sites near Camerton Settlement