There is scope for suggesting that Red Hill was a site of considerable importance in the Ro period. Its location on a prominent hill-top site commanding the junction of the Soar with the Trent and overlooking the flood plain to the N, would be suitable either for a trading or temple site and the Soar itself could have marked the W boundary of Coritanian tribal territory at some time in the Ro period. The finds of Samian, metalwork, glass and coins are above average in quality and quantity for this part of the Trent Valley. There are finds from all centuries, but coin evidence would suggest a greater importance in the late Ro period. (1)
Fieldwalker/detectorist information is suggestive of a ribbon development along a north-south road. (2)
No archaeological features visible on surface of field although some Ro pottery was found, particularly towards the S end of the site. However, cliff erosion on the W side of the site about mid-way down the length of the field, revealed layer in section and perhaps building foundations. The farmer is worried about erosion, particularly because of the bungalows at the base of the cliff. (3)
Previous evaluation work had identified deep urban style stratigraphy … This stage has identified industrial practices, field systems and a possible cemetery. The frequency of imported pottery and fine tablewares from a variety of sources indicates a thriving community with extensive trade links. The pottery seems to indicate a C2-C3 date for the site, with coinage continuing into C4. (4)
See M8869 for IA settlement.

A Romano British occupation site at Red Hill,
Ratcliffe-on-Soar, which has been much mutilated and badly
recorded over the years. The type of finds, hill top siting
and plan of a building are suggestive of a Romano Celtic temple
site.
Throsby records burials in the gypsum mines c 1750-90 and others
were found in building the adjacent railway tunnel. From 1919
onwards T W Armitage collected material including Roman coins,
brooches, pottery and tiles. Much of this was sold or lost
including a bird brooch of c 250 BC(7). Some went to Long
Eaton Libary, some to Leicester Museum and most of the pottery to
Nottingham County Museum.
Houldsworth carried out trial excavations on top of Red Hill
at SK 494306. The finds were 1st to 4th cent and included a
burial and evidence of a building. Notes of these excavations
are in Nottingham Castle Museum.
A votive lead tablet (to Jupiter asking for help in recovering
property) was found in 1960, (described in 6) in the area SK
494304. The East Leake Arch Group found some building remains
in this area in 1963 including fragmentary stone floors and
also a second votive lead tablet (to an unidentified deity).
Greenfield carried out emergency excavations on behalf of
MPBW in 1963. Trial trenches in area SK 494304 revealed the plan
of a building suggesting a Romano Celtic temple or shrine.
Finds included a third votive lead tablet and coins. IA and RB
occupation and postholes were also found in this area. IA pottery
also came from area SK 498305. A mound in area SK 494306 was
excavated and RB occupation which appeared to be associated with
timber structures was found. The Iron Age pottery was classified
A & Trent Valley AB. (5)

<1> Thoroton Society, 1982, TTS, p 31 (Published document). SNT395.

<2> Liddle P, 12/07/1993, Letter (Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester) (Unpublished document). SNT882.

<3> Samuels JR, 1987, AM107 (Unpublished document). SNT1232.

<4> Birmingham Archaeology, 2006, Red Hill Marina, Ratcliffe on Soar. An Archaeological Watching Brief, pp 30-32 (Unpublished document). SNT2394.

<5> Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<6> Thoroton Society, 1963, TTS, p. 21-24 (Published document). SNT377.

<7> EMAB eds, 1963, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, Vol 7, 1964, p. 26 (Published document). SNT157.

<8> Williams B C J, 1963, Bulletin of the Loughborough and District Archaeological Society, p. 15 (Published document). SNT6101.

<9> Williams B C J, 1964, Bulletin of the Loughborough and District Archaeological Society, p. 53-55 (Published document). SNT6102.

<10> Soc of Ants of London, 1945, Antiquaries Journal, p. 114-117 (Published document). SNT82.

<11> Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1963, The Journal of Roman Studies, p.122-124 (Published document). SNT6104.

<12> RAF, 1953 , Air photos, F22 58 Fr.0047 (Aerial photograph). SNT1165.

<13> Society for Promotion of Roman Studies, 1933, The Journal of Roman Studies, p.196 (Published document). SNT6103.

<13> Challis AJ and Harding DW, 1975, Later Prehistory from the Trent to the Tyne BAR 20, part 2, 6, 37, 38 (Published document). SNT545.

<14> EMAB eds, 1974, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, vol 10, p. 43 (Published document). SNT161.

<15> EMAB eds, 1979-82, East Midlands Archaeological Bulletin, p. 21 (Published document). SNT164.

<16> Thoroton Society, 1982, TTS, p. 14-48 (Published document). SNT395.

<16> Eleanor Scott, 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain, P. 155, NT27 (Published document). SNT6105.

<17> Thoroton Society, 2003, TTS, p.17-40 (Serial). SNT1740.

<18> Whitwell JB, 1982, The Coritani (BAR 99), p. 293 (Published document). SNT1421.