Calleva Atrebatum

Calleva Atrebatum

Site plan of Calleva Atrebatum
Shown within Hampshire
Alternate name	Silchester Roman Town
Location	Silchester, Hampshire, England
Region	Britannia
Coordinates	51°21′26″N 1°4′57″W / 51.35722°N 1.08250°W / 51.35722; -1.08250Coordinates: 51°21′26″N 1°4′57″W / 51.35722°N 1.08250°W / 51.35722; -1.08250
Type	Settlement
Area	Approximately 40 ha (99 acres)
History
Builder	Atrebates tribe
Founded	Late 1st century BC
Abandoned	5th to 7th century AD
Periods	Iron Age to Roman Empire
Site notes
Management	English Heritage
Website	Silchester Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre
OS grid reference: SU639624

Calleva, formally Calleva Atrebatum ("Calleva of the Atrebates"), was an Iron Age oppidum and subsequently a town in the Roman province of Britannia and the civitas capital of the Atrebates tribe. Its ruins are now known as Silchester Roman Town and are beneath and to the west of the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, which is just within the town wall and about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east of the modern village of Silchester, in the English county of Hampshire close to the boundary with Berkshire. Reading is some 9 miles (14 km) north-east and Basingstoke is 5 miles (8.0 km) south. The Ordnance Survey grid reference is SU639624.

Evidence for the presence of a Late Iron Age oppidum at Silchester is derived from numismatic evidence and archaeological excavations over the 20th century. Coins of the British Q series link Silchester with the seat of power of the Atrebates, and coins stamped with COMMIOS have been used to associate Calleva Atrebatum with the historical figure Commius, who is thought to have fled to Britain from Gaul. The Late Iron Age oppidum was situated on the edge of a gravel plateau, underlying the subsequent Roman town. The Inner Earthwork, constructed c. 1 AD, enclosed an area of 32ha, and a more extensive series of earthworks were present in the wider area. Small areas of Late Iron Age occupation have been uncovered on the south side of the Inner Earthwork and around the South Gate. More detailed evidence for Late Iron Age occupation was excavated below the Forum-Basilica. Several roundhouses, wells and pits were present on a north-east - south-west alignment, dated to c. 25 BC - 15 BC. Subsequent occupation, dated to c. 15 BC - AD 40/50, consisted of metalled streets, rubbish pits and palisaded enclosures. Imported Gallo-Belgic finewares, amphorae and iron and copper-alloy brooches show that the settlement was high status. Also distinctive evidence for food was identified, including oyster shell, a large briquetage assemblage and sherds from amphorae which would have contained olive oil, fish sauce and wine. Further areas of Late Iron Age occupation have been uncovered by the Insula IX 'Town Life' Project. Excavation of the Late Iron Age phases have provided evidence for a substantial boundary ditch c. 40 - 20 BC, a large rectangular hall c. 25 BC - AD 10 and the laying out of lanes and new property divisions c. AD 10 - 40/50.