Details

This site is composed of a series of earthworks representing the remains of
part of a substantial farming settlement of the Roman period. It lies beside
the modern A10 and close to the Roman road Akeman Street. The site covers
approximately 2.6ha and consists of a group of raised rectangular areas laid
out in a regular pattern and standing to a height of about 0.8m. A number of
trackways divide the platforms, and shallow depressions within the raised
areas are considered to be the remains of house foundations. Finds of pottery
and evidence of crop marks from aerial photographs indicate that this
settlement extended both to the west alongside Akeman Street and to the east
of the existing area of earthworks, although this area has been extensively
disturbed by ploughing. Pottery dated to the second, third and fourth
centuries AD has been found in areas adjacent to the site, indicating the
extensive and fairly long lived nature of the settlement.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.
It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features,
considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

In Roman Britain the majority of the population lived in the countryside and
were engaged in farming. Many small farmers lived in rural settlements whilst
larger farms were often centred around a Romanised farmhouse or villa. In the
second century AD a major scheme of land drainage was implemented in the
fenland area and many farming settlements became established alongside the
Roman roads. Very few villas are known in this area as the region was
probably administered as an Imperial Estate.
Trackways ran at right angles from the Roman roads and led to settlements
which varied in size and design. All were associated with a regular pattern
of fields utilised for arable farming, stock rearing and horticulture.
Chittering is one of very few Romano-British fen-edge rural settlements
surviving as earthworks. Its importance is emphasised by its proximity to a
major Roman road and trackways providing good communications with other
settlements in the vicinity. Since the site has not been ploughed there is
considerable potential for the survival of below ground archaeological
remains.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Books and journals
Phillips, C W , 'Royal Geographical Society Research Series' in The Fenland in Roman Times, (1970)
Other
CUCAP, ANB 11-14,

Source: Historic England