Iron Age, Roman, and medieval activity from investigations at Abingdon Museum lift pit

Excavation in advance of the installation of a new lift at Abingdon Museum revealed three ring gullies cutting the natural deposits. The gullies suggest the presence of round houses which probably pre-date the foundation of the late Iron Age oppidum. The gullies were apparently not contemporary and indicate an extended period of occupation, possibly from the early Iron Age. The gullies were cut by a series of fairly substantial post holes, possibly representing a structure, perhaps of middle Iron Age date. The excavation confirmed the presence of a series of early Roman compacted gravel surfaces revealed within an evaluation trench, the uppermost surface being of limestone cobbles. The artifactual evidence indicates intensive settlement in the first and early second centuries AD with a change in the settlement pattern in the later Roman period. [Abridged Publication Abstract]