First Romano-British Vineyard Found
Date: Tuesday, November 21 @ 19:55:52 MST
Topic: Burgundy and me
As the result of gravel extraction by Pioneer Aggregates, the site of the first proven Roman vineyard in Britain has been discovered at Wollaston near Northampton. Situated in the Nene Valley, the site of over 10 hectares (25 acres) has been confirmed by the identification of vitis pollen from the now decayed Roman vines. Its dating has been estimated as 2nd - 3rd century A.D.
A team led by archaeologist and excavator, Ian Meadows of Northamptonshire County Council and by palaeo-ecologist Tony Brown of Exeter University's School of Geography and Archaeology, has identified 3 vineyards altogether in the area.
The team found a regular pattern of bedding trenches 5 yards apart, which conform to descriptions of how to lay a vineyard out by classical authors such as Columella. There is also evidence at Wollaston of individual root balls
every 1.5 yards. The site is on a flood plain, which is believed to have been drier in Roman times and the calcareous soil should have provided hospitable conditions for vines.
Tony Brown described the Nene Valley as being 'full of Roman sites with a Roman road crossing the river and the ruins of a large villa nearby.' He added that it helped explain the amphorae production in the vicinity and considered it a possibility that the vineyard supplied the Roman Army further north.
The search continues for wine production implements such as pruning knives, but it is unlikely that they will have survived due
to the nature of the local soil.
www.wineontheweb.com
|
|