Cox Street - River Excavations

September 1933

COX STREET EXCAVATIONS (Continued)

The last sentence in my last article on Cox Street Excavations ran, "Strange it seems but up to the present no buttons have been found." Less than 24 hours after the article had been printed one button was found; this has only one hole in the centre, and at each side a small indented circle was made round the hole, and the rough edge caused through breaking the button out of the circle was partly rubbed off. Most of the bones used are in as sound condition as when used six or seven centuries ago.

Since writing the first article about this site, in which I mentioned the Earl's Mill, the oak beams, morticed out and pegged, on which little doubt exists that the first mill-wheel was placed - this timber is to be seen amongst other things preserved.

Is it probable that a Roman road ran through this site? With Mancetter on the north, and Baginton on the south, where so many Roman relics have been found of late, it is quite possible. Whatever may be the answer, it would appear that the Romans crossed here before any bridges were made. In my first article I mention that about six feet of rubble was under the river. Beneath this, in the gravel bed of the river was found a coin of Emperor Galinus, A.D. 253-288, a bronze ring, jet ring, toilet set for nails and ears, surgeon's needles, pottery, iron handles, bronze for beating-out, shears, etc. Who knows what may lie beneath the earth at no great distance from here. It is thought by some that Roman kilns lie beneath Jeffry Woods Cross. The British Museum report about these finds says, "The smaller things may be the contents of a Roman lady's satchel."

Thirteenth century counters were found in great numbers, and one would think by the large quantities found that they were manufactured here. Brass needles, ladies' hat pins, small pins, pins with large heads, and shining like gold, a brass cross, ladies' dress holders, bone pins, bone needles, boots by the score, boot laces, pottery, rings, brass harness buckles, and iron buckles; a font which the monks or friars carried when performing the rite of private christenings, with a six-pointed star decoration. All these things, and others far too numerous to mention, have been found, and at present await a home where all people interested may view them at their leisure.

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