The first task of the invading Roman forces was to build a network of magnificent roads across the countryside to facilitate both trade and the rapid movement of troops.  Such a road was driven between Winchester and the new Roman city at Old Sarum and ran through Buckholt, across Houghton Down, down through Bossington Farm, over the River Test and passed close by where Horsebridge station stands today and up over the hill at Ashley.  In 1783 a pig of lead was found in Bossington, a little west of the place where the road crosses the Test.  Now in the British Museum, it bears the inscription in Latin: “British (lead), the property of the Emperor Nero, consul for the fourth time on 1 January; pontifex maximus and consul from 1 July; Desilverised. The stamp of Cnaeus Pascus”.  It can therefore be dated to the second half of 60AD.  There is much evidence for Roman Bossington, but little is known about Houghton at this time. However two Roman coins have been found in Houghton which would suggest that Roman occupation of the village was every bit as early as at Bossington.