Archaeologists at the Sizewell C development on the Suffolk coast of England have uncovered a concentrated area of Roman industrial activity, shedding light on how the landscape was used nearly 2,000 years ago.
The work, carried out by Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA), took place during excavations for the Sizewell Link Road, which will bypass Middleton and Theberton. Although earlier finds in the area point to prehistoric and Anglo-Saxon occupation, this section is different. Here, the evidence points clearly to Roman industry.
The site lies on gentle ground just south of Middleton. Across a relatively small area, excavators recorded corn dryers, pottery kilns, metalworking zones and features thought to be settling tanks. Taken together, these remains suggest a working landscape used for production and trade over a long period.
One structure stands out: a large corn dryer with an unusual layout. Instead of the common T-shape, this one has a more intricate plan. A central chamber connects to a flue that loops around and returns into the building, with smaller channels branching off. This design would have helped spread heat evenly. Corn dryers were used to reduce moisture in grain so it could be stored without spoiling. They could also be used in malting, a process linked to animal feed and beer production.
Finds from inside the dryer include tiles, nails, lava stones, small snail shells and a complete sheep or goat skull. Several large storage vessels were also recovered, some decorated. Soil samples have been taken for analysis to identify the crops processed there.
Close by, a pottery kiln was found in good condition. One flue survived intact and the inner lining remains well preserved. While no complete pots were left in place, a number of pottery fragments have been collected and are being examined. A coin found beneath the kiln floor dates to the reign of Emperor Gallienus (AD 253–268), helping to place the activity in time.
A nearby building adds further evidence of industry. Measuring at least nine by five metres, it includes a metalworking surface on its eastern side. Slag and hammerscale recovered from the area indicate ironworking. The building likely served as a smithy where tools and other items were made or repaired, using both imported iron and recycled material.
There are also signs that the site was connected to wider trade networks. Samian ware from Gaul and amphorae from elsewhere in the Roman world point to goods moving in and out of the area. A trackway runs nearby, although its alignment suggests it is medieval rather than Roman. Even so, it shows the landscape continued to be used long after the industrial activity had ended.
Two spreads of burnt flint, measuring around ten and sixteen metres in length, remain harder to explain. Their shallow depth and composition are unusual for Roman sites. For now, their purpose is uncertain and further study is underway.
Overall, the discoveries show that this part of the Suffolk coast once supported a busy industrial zone focused on grain processing, pottery production and metalworking. The findings add a new layer to the history of the area and highlight its long-standing role as a place of work and production.
Sources : Oxford Cotsworld Archaeology