HER Record
HER ID: 23605, Hayling Island Temple
HER Summary: Iron Age and Roman temple with post-temple Saxon settlement activity.
HER Category: Monument
HER Web Link: No link available
Investigation Activities
Type: Excavation
Description: The excavation report for 1976 also contains a consideration of previous archaeological work on the temple that took place between 1897-1907. During 1976, three parts of the temple were investigated: the cella porch, the NE corner of the temenos and its ambulatory and the eastern wing of the ambulatory. The 1977 excavation continued to look at the central part of the temple and the cella, the porch and the monumental entrance to the temenos. During 1978 the SE part of the tremenos continued to be examined. The 1979 excavation concentrated on the NE sector of tremenos courtyard. The 1980 excavation took place in four areas within the Roman temenos courtyard with the chief aim being to examine the Iron Age temple enclosure which forms the prototype of the Roman temenos. During 1981 and 1982 attention was concentrated on the Iron Age phases SE of the cella.
Date Range: 1976 - 1982
Type: Excavation
Description: Following the 1999 geophysics survey, excavation was undertaken on a series of pits. Six wide and deep pits were found in a crescent inside the oval shaped area. The upper fills of the pits contained limestone facing blocks from the walls of the Roman temple.
Date Range: 2001 - 2001
Type: Deposited
Description: Finds of possible Iron Age votive material made during excavation of the Roman temple site on Hayling Island suggest that the site was also an Iron Age ritual centre. The votive material includes deposits of pig bones and others of C1 BC Republican Roman imported items.
Date Range: 1 - 42
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: A geophysical survey was undertaken by English Heritage on the 18/9/79 to test the magnetic response of an area close to the Roman temple prior to excavation.
Date Range: 1979 - 1979
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: The geophysical survey carried out by King Alfred's College, Winchester, produced an oval of what looked like ten large post pits immediately to the south of the temple complex. Further geophysical surveying showed that the main temple sites and the oval-shaped area were themselves all enclosed by a roughly square ditch or pallisade.
Date Range: 1999 - 1999
Type: Radiocarbon
Description: Radiocarbon dates (documented in King & Soffe, 2013) were produced from material in one of the post holes, providing dates of 410-110BC - perhaps indicative of re-use of timber during the first phase of construction. Further material from several pits, including the central pit from the Second Iron Age Phase, provided dates of 20-330AD, 650-780AD & 650-900AD
Date Range: 2013 - 2013
Type: Research
Description: Advice Report from English Heritage. (Decision not to schedule the site)
Date Range: 2014 - 2014
Type: Excavation
Description: Hayling Island Temple was excavated by Downey, King and Soffe between 1976 and 1982. From the time a period of post excavation and other survey techniques have occured in an attempt to gain a full understanding of the site.
Date Range: 1976 - 1982
Type: Excavation
Description: The excavation report for 1976 also contains a consideration of previous archaeological work on the temple that took place between 1897-1907. During 1976, three parts of the temple were investigated: the cella porch, the NE corner of the temenos and its ambulatory and the eastern wing of the ambulatory. The 1977 excavation continued to look at the central part of the temple and the cella, the porch and the monumental entrance to the temenos. During 1978 the SE part of the tremenos continued to be examined. The 1979 excavation concentrated on the NE sector of tremenos courtyard. The 1980 excavation took place in four areas within the Roman temenos courtyard with the chief aim being to examine the Iron Age temple enclosure which forms the prototype of the Roman temenos. During 1981 and 1982 attention was concentrated on the Iron Age phases SE of the cella.
Date Range: 1976 - 1982
Type: Excavation
Description: Following the 1999 geophysics survey, excavation was undertaken on a series of pits. Six wide and deep pits were found in a crescent inside the oval shaped area. The upper fills of the pits contained limestone facing blocks from the walls of the Roman temple.
Date Range: 2001 - 2001
Type: Deposited
Description: Finds of possible Iron Age votive material made during excavation of the Roman temple site on Hayling Island suggest that the site was also an Iron Age ritual centre. The votive material includes deposits of pig bones and others of C1 BC Republican Roman imported items.
Date Range: 1 - 42
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: A geophysical survey was undertaken by English Heritage on the 18/9/79 to test the magnetic response of an area close to the Roman temple prior to excavation.
Date Range: 1979 - 1979
Type: Geophysical Survey
Description: The geophysical survey carried out by King Alfred's College, Winchester, produced an oval of what looked like ten large post pits immediately to the south of the temple complex. Further geophysical surveying showed that the main temple sites and the oval-shaped area were themselves all enclosed by a roughly square ditch or pallisade.
Date Range: 1999 - 1999
Type: Radiocarbon
Description: Radiocarbon dates (documented in King & Soffe, 2013) were produced from material in one of the post holes, providing dates of 410-110BC - perhaps indicative of re-use of timber during the first phase of construction. Further material from several pits, including the central pit from the Second Iron Age Phase, provided dates of 20-330AD, 650-780AD & 650-900AD
Date Range: 2013 - 2013
Type: Research
Description: Advice Report from English Heritage. (Decision not to schedule the site)
Date Range: 2014 - 2014
Type: Excavation
Description: Hayling Island Temple was excavated by Downey, King and Soffe between 1976 and 1982. From the time a period of post excavation and other survey techniques have occured in an attempt to gain a full understanding of the site.
Date Range: 1976 - 1982
Historic Events
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: A rectangular roman building with a central, circular feature was first examined by Talfound Ely between 1898 and 1908. The building re-excavated in the late 1970s appears to be a temple site with a temenos courtyard and a central circular cella. The building was constructed in 50-60AD, enlarged in the mid 2nd century and probably demolished after the end of the 2nd century AD. The plan of the new Roman temple was very similar to that of the older Iron Age structure that had occupied the land before. The central circular building (the cella), which had a porch on the east side, was the equivalent in stone of the Iron Age shrine. Although it was a little larger (thus preserving the Iron Age features) it would probably have served the same ritual function. A raised stone flag floor may have been present inside the cella as broken pieces of Horsham stone were found amongst the debris. The courtyard (temenos) around the temple seems to have been simple with an entrance in the east and the main focus of ritual activity, in continuance of pre-Roman acitivity. The votive deposits are similar to those found in the earlier Iron Age temple apart from metal, of where there is considerably less. The superstructure of the temple appears to have employed a variety of imported stone. In the area around the porch wattle and daub fragments were found along with fragments of plaster that had been painted variously red, red with white stripes, white, blue, yellow and black. Parts of two sheep skeletons were found near the cella porch. The inscribed stone is unusual as it mentions the Roman army (Naevianus, of the 9th legion Hispana, who had dedicated an altar...).
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Occupied
Classification: Settlement
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations also produced evidence of C8-C9 Saxon occupation. Finds came from cess pits and ditches with structural evidence only surviving in the south-east corner of the site (one corner of an enclosure) and the north-west where post holes were located.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Excavated
Classification: Pit
Form: Unknown
Description: Numerous small pits containing Iron Age material were found during excavation. The contents are thought to be mostly votive material.
Date Range: -66 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Enclosure
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations to follow up geophysical survey took place in 2001 and to the south west of the Iron Age and Roman temple site a magnetometer survey revealed an oval feature measuring 25x20 consisting of 10 pit features. The pits were filled with burnt debris dating to the Early medieval Period and walling which belonged to the Roman temple. It is considered that a specific selection of material was made for the burning of the pits and radio carbon dates of AD650-780 and AD 650 - 900 were obtained for the material.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Built
Classification: Enclosure
Form: Unknown
Description: The post holes for a timber fence type enclosure were located during excavations of the Roman Temple site. The fence line was made of upright, earthfast planks with squared posts at the corners and at intervals along the sides. This Iron Age enclosure lies immediately within the Roman courtyard.
Date Range: -66 - 42
Type: Excavated
Classification: Cess Pit
Form: Unknown
Description: Eleven cess pits were found during the 1979 and 1980 excavation. They contained Roman destruction deposits and Saxon occupation material such as pottery and bone combs.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Occupied
Classification: Site
Form: Unknown
Description: Pre Iron Age phase (Phase 1) referred to at the site but not discussed.
Date Range: -2200 - -801
Type: Excavated
Classification: Post Hole
Form: Unknown
Description: A row of Saxon post holes were revealed during excavations. They were packed using stone rubble from the demolished Roman buildings.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Rebuilt
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: There appears to be a gap in coin deposition in the early first century AD and it is possible that the temple declined for a period before the next phase of activity. The second phase of Iron Age activity at the site is considered to date to the early deacdes of the first century. The alterations to the temple made the appearance of it move from an open air structure to a covered building. This second phase of occupation on the site used the same outer enclosure, but the inner enclosure was demolished to make way for a large circular structure (which to all intents and purposes took on the appearance of a roundhouse). The remaining gully of this circular structure was 9.2m in diameter, an entrance way to the east side was also recorded which took on the form of a projecting porch. In a central location within the structure a pit was recorded and used as pit for depositing votive objects. Excavation of the pit revealed it had a flat rectangular bottom measuring 0.8x0.4m, a completely rotary quern was found within the pit. In the centre of the eastern end entrance evidence suggests that an upright standing stone was positioned here and is considered to be a marker for the temple.
Date Range: 0 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations revealed a circular timber building below the circular Roman cella. It was Iron Age in date, probably constructed circa 50BC and was in use until the erection of the Roman building mid C1 AD. It is thought that this building also served as a temple, an interpretation verified by the votive offerings and its position beneath the Roman temple. Human sacrafice is attested to at contemporary temples in France but at Hayling Island, although human remains are present, they are scattered and broken and difficult to interpret. The coins were plated, rather than made of solid gold or silver, and it is thought that this indicates that they were made deliberately as temple offerings. Identified by King and Soffe (1998) as Phase 2b. The pit from Phase 2a apparently continued in use and the circular structure that replaced the rectangular inner enclosure seemed to have been constructed around it. This structure appears to have been identical with contemporary domestic roundhouses and was typified by them as being a 'house for the gods'. during this phase the outer enclosure was also reorganised, resulting in a deeper, more clearly aligned ditch, though in roughly the same position. The eastern entrance was slightly inturned with over deep terminals and it was suggested that these may have formed post or stone holes, possibly for substantial sarsens, evidence of which was recorded in the later Romano-British phases.
Date Range: 10 - 65
Type: Created
Classification: Post Hole
Form: No information available
Description: Two post holes have been tentativley dated to the first phase of Iron Age Temple, position 2.5m to the east of the pit. Is is considered that they may be entrance posts to the most sacred area of the temple. Whilst these post holes have been attributed to the first phase of the Templeradiocarbon dates for the charred remains of the timbers suggest a date of -410-110 BC suggesting that the timbers had already been in use before being reused as part of the Temple.
Date Range: -100 - -25
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: No information available
Description: Hayling Island Temple has two Distinct Iron Age phases, the first temple is dated to the early-mid first century BC and had three main elements, an enclosure which measured 25mx25m with an entrance alligned to the east, an inner enclosure which also had its entrance alligned in an easterly direction and a pit towards the western of theinner enclosure. It is considered that the outer enclosure was of a wattle and daub construction whilst the inner enclosure has the remians of large postholes which would have probably supported a wooden fence. The pit seems to be the main foci of this phase - it measured 2.5mx1.7m and was 0.65m in depth, however the fill suggests a later date than this first phase of Temple and as such it has been speculated that a smaller pit mayhave been located here during this first phase of temple. The pit contained, what are considered to be offerings,including broaches and coins.
Date Range: -100 - -25
Type: Created
Classification: Hearth
Form: Unknown
Description: A number of Iron Age hearths were uncovered during excavation of the Roman Temple site. They are thought to have been the focal points for ritual activity on the site.
Date Range: -100 - 42
Type: Created
Classification: Furnace
Form: No information available
Description: In the interior of the oval feature two furnaces were located. Their use and function is unclear but it is considered that they may be associated with the preperation of salt. It is also considered that these pits and furnaces may be the remains of a pagan ritual site - which is rare for England and unique for Hampshire.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Created
Classification: Tessellated Floor
Form: No information available
Description: Within the southern side room of the porch was laid a black and white tessellated pavement.
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: A rectangular roman building with a central, circular feature was first examined by Talfound Ely between 1898 and 1908. The building re-excavated in the late 1970s appears to be a temple site with a temenos courtyard and a central circular cella. The building was constructed in 50-60AD, enlarged in the mid 2nd century and probably demolished after the end of the 2nd century AD. The plan of the new Roman temple was very similar to that of the older Iron Age structure that had occupied the land before. The central circular building (the cella), which had a porch on the east side, was the equivalent in stone of the Iron Age shrine. Although it was a little larger (thus preserving the Iron Age features) it would probably have served the same ritual function. A raised stone flag floor may have been present inside the cella as broken pieces of Horsham stone were found amongst the debris. The courtyard (temenos) around the temple seems to have been simple with an entrance in the east and the main focus of ritual activity, in continuance of pre-Roman acitivity. The votive deposits are similar to those found in the earlier Iron Age temple apart from metal, of where there is considerably less. The superstructure of the temple appears to have employed a variety of imported stone. In the area around the porch wattle and daub fragments were found along with fragments of plaster that had been painted variously red, red with white stripes, white, blue, yellow and black. Parts of two sheep skeletons were found near the cella porch. The inscribed stone is unusual as it mentions the Roman army (Naevianus, of the 9th legion Hispana, who had dedicated an altar...).
Date Range: 43 - 409
Type: Occupied
Classification: Settlement
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations also produced evidence of C8-C9 Saxon occupation. Finds came from cess pits and ditches with structural evidence only surviving in the south-east corner of the site (one corner of an enclosure) and the north-west where post holes were located.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Excavated
Classification: Pit
Form: Unknown
Description: Numerous small pits containing Iron Age material were found during excavation. The contents are thought to be mostly votive material.
Date Range: -66 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Enclosure
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations to follow up geophysical survey took place in 2001 and to the south west of the Iron Age and Roman temple site a magnetometer survey revealed an oval feature measuring 25x20 consisting of 10 pit features. The pits were filled with burnt debris dating to the Early medieval Period and walling which belonged to the Roman temple. It is considered that a specific selection of material was made for the burning of the pits and radio carbon dates of AD650-780 and AD 650 - 900 were obtained for the material.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Built
Classification: Enclosure
Form: Unknown
Description: The post holes for a timber fence type enclosure were located during excavations of the Roman Temple site. The fence line was made of upright, earthfast planks with squared posts at the corners and at intervals along the sides. This Iron Age enclosure lies immediately within the Roman courtyard.
Date Range: -66 - 42
Type: Excavated
Classification: Cess Pit
Form: Unknown
Description: Eleven cess pits were found during the 1979 and 1980 excavation. They contained Roman destruction deposits and Saxon occupation material such as pottery and bone combs.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Occupied
Classification: Site
Form: Unknown
Description: Pre Iron Age phase (Phase 1) referred to at the site but not discussed.
Date Range: -2200 - -801
Type: Excavated
Classification: Post Hole
Form: Unknown
Description: A row of Saxon post holes were revealed during excavations. They were packed using stone rubble from the demolished Roman buildings.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Rebuilt
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: There appears to be a gap in coin deposition in the early first century AD and it is possible that the temple declined for a period before the next phase of activity. The second phase of Iron Age activity at the site is considered to date to the early deacdes of the first century. The alterations to the temple made the appearance of it move from an open air structure to a covered building. This second phase of occupation on the site used the same outer enclosure, but the inner enclosure was demolished to make way for a large circular structure (which to all intents and purposes took on the appearance of a roundhouse). The remaining gully of this circular structure was 9.2m in diameter, an entrance way to the east side was also recorded which took on the form of a projecting porch. In a central location within the structure a pit was recorded and used as pit for depositing votive objects. Excavation of the pit revealed it had a flat rectangular bottom measuring 0.8x0.4m, a completely rotary quern was found within the pit. In the centre of the eastern end entrance evidence suggests that an upright standing stone was positioned here and is considered to be a marker for the temple.
Date Range: 0 - 42
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: Unknown
Description: Excavations revealed a circular timber building below the circular Roman cella. It was Iron Age in date, probably constructed circa 50BC and was in use until the erection of the Roman building mid C1 AD. It is thought that this building also served as a temple, an interpretation verified by the votive offerings and its position beneath the Roman temple. Human sacrafice is attested to at contemporary temples in France but at Hayling Island, although human remains are present, they are scattered and broken and difficult to interpret. The coins were plated, rather than made of solid gold or silver, and it is thought that this indicates that they were made deliberately as temple offerings. Identified by King and Soffe (1998) as Phase 2b. The pit from Phase 2a apparently continued in use and the circular structure that replaced the rectangular inner enclosure seemed to have been constructed around it. This structure appears to have been identical with contemporary domestic roundhouses and was typified by them as being a 'house for the gods'. during this phase the outer enclosure was also reorganised, resulting in a deeper, more clearly aligned ditch, though in roughly the same position. The eastern entrance was slightly inturned with over deep terminals and it was suggested that these may have formed post or stone holes, possibly for substantial sarsens, evidence of which was recorded in the later Romano-British phases.
Date Range: 10 - 65
Type: Created
Classification: Post Hole
Form: No information available
Description: Two post holes have been tentativley dated to the first phase of Iron Age Temple, position 2.5m to the east of the pit. Is is considered that they may be entrance posts to the most sacred area of the temple. Whilst these post holes have been attributed to the first phase of the Templeradiocarbon dates for the charred remains of the timbers suggest a date of -410-110 BC suggesting that the timbers had already been in use before being reused as part of the Temple.
Date Range: -100 - -25
Type: Built
Classification: Temple
Form: No information available
Description: Hayling Island Temple has two Distinct Iron Age phases, the first temple is dated to the early-mid first century BC and had three main elements, an enclosure which measured 25mx25m with an entrance alligned to the east, an inner enclosure which also had its entrance alligned in an easterly direction and a pit towards the western of theinner enclosure. It is considered that the outer enclosure was of a wattle and daub construction whilst the inner enclosure has the remians of large postholes which would have probably supported a wooden fence. The pit seems to be the main foci of this phase - it measured 2.5mx1.7m and was 0.65m in depth, however the fill suggests a later date than this first phase of Temple and as such it has been speculated that a smaller pit mayhave been located here during this first phase of temple. The pit contained, what are considered to be offerings,including broaches and coins.
Date Range: -100 - -25
Type: Created
Classification: Hearth
Form: Unknown
Description: A number of Iron Age hearths were uncovered during excavation of the Roman Temple site. They are thought to have been the focal points for ritual activity on the site.
Date Range: -100 - 42
Type: Created
Classification: Furnace
Form: No information available
Description: In the interior of the oval feature two furnaces were located. Their use and function is unclear but it is considered that they may be associated with the preperation of salt. It is also considered that these pits and furnaces may be the remains of a pagan ritual site - which is rare for England and unique for Hampshire.
Date Range: 410 - 1065
Type: Created
Classification: Tessellated Floor
Form: No information available
Description: Within the southern side room of the porch was laid a black and white tessellated pavement.
Date Range: 43 - 409
