Archaeological excavation, salvage recording and watching briefs were undertaken at Metchley Roman fort, Birmingham in 1999-2001 and 2004-2005. The areas investigated were located mainly to the west of the Roman military complex. The earliest features may have belonged to a construction camp (Phase A/ Phase 1A), preparatory to the layout of the first fort (Phase 1B), around AD 48. The western defences of this fort comprised double-ditches and a turf rampart. A new discovery was a palisade trench forming a western annexe or enclosure (Phase 1C) which may have been associated with the on-site manufacture of pottery, specifically mortaria. Most importantly, the excavations provided the first structural evidence for a civilian settlement at the site (Phase B).

Between June 2000 and April 2004 four sites within the City of Worcester were subjected to archaeological investigation by Birmingham Archaeology (formerly Birmingham University Field Archaeology Unit) and Mike Napthan Archaeology. The results from these four sites are documented in this volume. One site is located to the northeast of the historic city core at St Martin's Gate. The three remaining sites are located to the north of the city in an area known as The Butts. Archaeological excavations were undertaken at 8-12 and 14-24 The Butts, and an evaluation at 1 The Butts. At all four sites, the stratigraphy is characterised by Roman and post-medieval deposits, with a distinct lack of intervening material. Ditch features relating to Civil War remodelling of the city's defences were located at St Martin's Gate, 8-12 The Butts, and 14-24 The Butts, and it seems that this and later activity was responsible for the disturbance and removal of earlier material.