Holt Roman Settlement

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of an extensive Roman industrial settlement occupying the slopes above the river Dee floodplain to the north-east of the present town of Holt. Excavations were undertaken from 1907-1915. Much pottery and many coins have since been recovered from the site. The excavations revealed a range of buildings including a massive bank of eight tile and pottery kilns, a further tile or pottery kiln with an adjacent 'workshop', a walled compound enclosing long barracks type buildings and a luxurious house and a separate bathhouse. The site appears to be an industrial works serving the legionary fortress at Chester. The house would be for the supervisor, possibly a centurion, whilst the barracks accommodated soldiers seconded from their units. Examination of the pottery and coins indicates that it was working between about 85AD and 135AD. Later material indicates some form of activity up to the later fourth century, although there is little indication that manufacturing continued beyond the mid second century. The site may have remained legionary or imperial territory, possibly as an estate centre. No surface features survive and the site is manifest mainly in a scatter of tile and pot, with indications of some excavated structures apparent from the air.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.