Old Police House, Rocester, Staffordshire: Archaeological Evaluation 2006

Birmingham Archaeology was commissioned by Dr R.V.H. Aldridge to undertake a programme of trial trenching ahead of the proposed construction of a new doctors surgery at the Old Police House, Rocester, Staffordshire. The proposed development area covers approximately 0.13 hectares. A total of 3 trenches and 3 test-pits were excavated across the site totalling 72m that provided a 5.5% sample of the total area. Trenches were located to evaluate the archaeological remains across the site and to assess the levels of truncation caused during the construction of the Old Police House. The majority of the archaeological evidence is dated to the Romano-British period, more specifically the 2nd century AD. It seems likely the archaeological remains identified across the site may represent the eastern section of the vicus, or civilian settlement, previously identified in archaeological work immediately to the west. The recovery of animal bone with butchery marks (and the presence of probable rubbish pits on the site) suggests near-by occupation and the discard of domestic waste.