Big Roman Dig - They came, they saw... Top 30 Roman Sites

Part of a Roman town house discovered in Dorchester, showing rooms, column and well © B.Wilson/Ancient Art & Architecture Collection
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Introduction
Situated some 8 miles north of Weymouth on the southern Dorset coast, Dorchester is a classic example of a Romanised tribal city. Close to the vast and impressive Iron-Age hillfort of Maiden Castle, Dorchester was in effect a regional capital constructed to a classical Roman design and built to replace the tribal stronghold of Maiden Castle as an administrative centre for the surrounding population of the Durotriges people.

Archaeology
Dorchester has developed and expanded so that now most of its Roman archaeology lies beneath the surface the town. However, excavations and assessments have been a continuing theme since the 1970s and a great deal has been discovered about the Roman town's origins and plan. The area would have been quickly conquered early in the invasion and archaeologists have found that stone buildings replaced earlier wooden ones by the second century; a development associated with the fortification of the town. Metalled roads and shops have been found together with a substantial bath-house complex which was fed by an aqueduct system stretching off to the north-west, tapping the River Frome some 9km (5.6 miles) away. The Romans also cleverly reused a Neolithic henge monument, called Maumbury Rings, as an amphitheatre for games and entertainment. The remains of a 4th-century town house, which can be seen next to the County Hall featuring some interesting mosaics depicting geometric patterns. Dorchester Museum also has a fine Roman collection which includes further mosaics discovered in the area.

Extra info
Dorchester OS grid ref: SY6990.
Dorset County Museum can be found in High West Street, Dorchester. Call 01305 262 735 for further information or view their website at http://www.dorsetcountymuseum.org. The nearby pre-Roman stronghold of Maiden Castle is an English Heritage site. Look at www.english-heritage.org.uk for further information.

Examples from the cache of handmade iron nails found at the abandoned fort at Inchtuthill © Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library
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Introduction
The Roman legionary fortress of Inchtuthil, near Perth, is a remarkable archaeological discovery. It was built during a phase of aggressive military action against the northern tribes as Agricola, the British governor of the time, fought to expand the frontier and subdue the Caledonians. This large site is particularly intriguing as it was only used for a short period and was then systematically demolished and abandoned as the Roman army was withdrawn.

Archaeology
Inchtuthil was a fortress mainly constructed out of earthworks and timber, but instead of being later rebuilt in stone, this one was abandoned around AD87 just 3 years after its founding. History tells us that trouble in the Danube caused the Romans to withdraw forces and as a result this northern stronghold was vacated. This, together with the fact that no later development occurred on the site, gives us a unique insight to the plan of an early phase fortress and a snapshot of Roman lives in the later first century. Excavated in the 1950s and 60s, the fortress was found to hold over 200 buildings from workshops to barrack blocks associated with the XX Legion. A stone bath-house was also uncovered outside the defences, an ideal situation considering the common fire risk from such a place. Inchtuthil is best known for its hoard of nails. Over 7 tons of handmade, iron nails were buried on the site, presumably because they could not be transported at the time of the retreat. These would have been highly prized by the locals had they known where to find them. Iron was a valuable resource and 7 tons would have made a large number of weapons and tools. The withdrawal must have been a desperate disappointment for the Romans for them to leave such a resource behind.

Extra info
Inchtuthil OS grid ref: NO1239.
The University of Aberdeen's virtual museum includes images of some Inchtuthil handmade nails. Look at www.abdn.ac.uk/virtualmuseum/index.php for more details.

Chysauster Iron Age village houses © John P.Stevens/Ancient Art & Architecture Collection
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Introduction
Situated east of Mulfra, about 3 miles north of Penzance, Chysauster 'Iron-Age' village is a fantastic, tiny settlement of eight stone houses which continued in use through the Roman period virtually untouched by classical Roman life. The site represents a native settlement of a Cornish community who continued to live and work in their own remarkable style during Roman governorship.

Archaeology
The remains at Chysauster are centred on small houses which follow a natural and organic ground plan. A roughly oval shape up to 30 metres across, each dry-stone walled home contains a central courtyard off which curved and rounded chambers of different sizes can be seen. Originally each of the houses would have featured a timber roof possibly covered with turfs or thatch. A fougou is also on the site. This is an underground chamber used either for storage or possibly even religious purposes. All of the archaeological evidence points to the Chysauster inhabitants as being mixed livestock and arable farmers with their somewhat remote location on the edges of the empire allowing them to continue their lives in relative seclusion. The robust build of the structures also means that they have survived, whereas many lowly native homes in the rest of Britain have not. This site serves to remind us that not all people in Roman Britain lived in villas and not everyone adopted the Roman way of living.

Extra info
Chysauster OS grid ref: SW4735.
The village is under the care of English Heritage. Look at www.english-heritage.org.uk for further information or call 07831 757934.

Introduction
In AD139 Hadrian died and Antoninus Pius became the new Roman emperor. As is often the case, Antoninus found that some military action and expansion of the empire would add kudos to his reign and subsequently renewed actions took place in the Scottish Lowlands. After some four years of fighting a new frontier was established between the Firth of Forth in the east and the Clyde in the west.

Archaeology
An interesting point is that Hadrian's Wall was largely abandoned after the Antonine Wall was established. The structure of the new wall was more basic and less substantial than Hadrian's Wall, but it still served as a comprehensive method of controlling the landscape. In addition to the dry-stone rubble bank encased in turfs, any attacker also faced a formidable ditch to the front. The II, VI and XX legions all played a part in the wall's construction, which also featured 19 forts spaced along its 37-mile length. The wall was abandoned by AD163 as the Empire reoccupied its old positions on Hadrian's Wall. This was mostly due to the requirement for a rapid reaction force further south following uprisings by native tribes in Northern England.

Extra info
Antonine Wall OS grid ref: NS7075.
Visit the Antonine Walkway Trust's website at www.antonineway.com for a useful list of walks which highlight parts of the Antonine Wall. The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre at Melrose has an exhibition about life on the frontier. Look at www.discovertheborders.co.uk/places/66.html or call 01896 8222651 for further information.

Introduction
Ravenglass is renowned for having some of the most impressive Roman building remains in the country. This Cumbrian coastal setting was originally the site of an early second-century navy fort and supply base known to the Romans as Glannoventa.

Archaeology
Today there is nothing to see of the original Roman fortified supply base, but the remnants of the military bath-house are outstanding. Originally set outside the fort, the bath-house walls still stand at up to 4 metres tall and follow a zig-zag angular plan hinting at the complicated structure of the original building. Both round-topped arches and high-quality courses of facing stone can still be seen. Lead seals found near the baths indicate that the First Cohort of the Aelian Fleet were based here, a part of the Classis Britannica, or the Roman Naval British fleet.

Extra info
Ravenglass OS grid ref: SD0895.
The site is under the care of English Heritage and is open and free of charge to access. Look at www.english-heritage.org.uk for further information.

Introduction
Peterborough was an important centre of ceramic production in Roman Britain. It also hosted a nearby fort at Longthorpe which probably housed half a legion. The surrounding clay lands of the Nene Valley were fully exploited by the industrious Romans to great effect.

Archaeology
Apart from the Longthorpe fort, the key Roman aspect of the Peterborough area is its pottery. Known to archaeologists as Nene Valley Ware, this fine and often colour- coated pottery was produced throughout much of the Roman occupation of Britain and was widely traded. Examples have been found on Roman excavations from southern Cornwall to the far reaches of the north on the Antonine Wall. Production in the area is basically split into two categories: fine wares, such as tableware and decorated pieces were made from the mid second century until the Roman withdrawal in the early fifth; coarse wares, which are less widely distributed (including mortaria, a type of mixing and grinding bowl) were made from the mid-first century until the end of Roman rule. Roman industrial-sized kilns have been discovered both associated with Longthorpe fort and elsewhere in the Peterborough area.

Extra info
Peterborough OS grid ref: TL1597.
Good Roman collections can be seen at Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery Look at www.peterborough.gov.uk/page-488 or call 01733 343329 for further information.

The Museum of London's preserved Roman amphitheatre at the Guildhall yard © Museum of London
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Introduction
Before the Roman invasion of AD43 the most important large town, or capital, in the south-east was Colchester. Of London there was little of note. The sprawling metropolis we know today was started by the Romans who after conquering Colchester made the new settlement of London their administrative centre.

Archaeology
During the Roman invasion, forces stopped at the Thames to build a bridge. Archaeologists have since discovered that the Roman bridge was actually very close to the current London Bridge. This vital crossing became part of a thriving supply and trading port which quickly grew to become one of the biggest in the country. London was also a centre of power as the governor of Britannia was based here. Most of the archaeological remains are now well and truly underneath two thousand years of building development, but traces can be found, such as bits of the city walls around the City of London. The Temple of Mithras can also be seen in Queen Victoria Street behind a railing. It was reconstructed here after being discovered by developers working in Walbrook. Visitors to London shouldn't miss the outstanding Roman amphitheatre preserved under the Guildhall Yard, City of London. This remarkable display uses atmospheric audio and lighting to bring the sounds and action of gladiatorial combat back to these ancient remains.

Extra info
London OS grid ref: TQ3281.
Check out the Museum of London for its fine Roman collections. Find details at www.museumoflondon.org.uk or call 0870 444 3852 for further information.

Bas-relief of a centurion from Roman Colchester

Introduction
Colchester, was the largest tribal town in the south-east before the Romans arrived in AD 43. It was a centre for the native Trinovantes people and had become a successful and lucrative trading base. The relative ease with which the Roman army took control of Colchester has been taken by some to indicate that the Trinovantes were perhaps open to the idea of becoming Romanised, however, we shouldn't forget that they probably had little choice, being the first big town to face some 40,000 invading soldiers.

Archaeology
Probably best known for the accounts of the emperor Claudius taking the town himself, complete with a detachment of elephants, during a quick 16-day visit to his fighting legionaries, Colchester was soon appreciated as a vital centre of control for the region. Work was started as early as AD 44 on a fortress which was to dominate the area. As Roman expansion moved across the south-east the site was turned into a coloniae; a settlement for retired Roman soldiers. Coloniae were a clever part of the Romanisation of Britain. Old soldiers stood as an example to the local populace as to what it was to be, build, look and live as a Roman. They also acted as a useful reserve of experienced men. Excavations in Colchester have identified large parts of the Roman town together with evidence for its destruction during the first century Boudiccan revolt. The town was rebuilt and by the 3rd century was a thriving place with townhouses, shops and even a chariot-racing circus.

Extra info
Colchester OS grid ref: TL9925.
The various Colchester museums can be contacted via www.colchestermuseums.org.uk. Of particular interest is the Castle Museum which holds many Roman finds.

Introduction
The small village of Caerwent on the A48 between Chepstow and Newport offers a remarkable insight into how Romanised Britons lived in a civitas capital, or regional centre of administration. Unlike many Roman centres which have since developed into large towns, the village environment has allowed much of the Roman archaeology to remain unmolested.

Archaeology
Probably the most striking element of Caerwent is its curtain wall. This still stands on the southern side to a great height and includes bastion towers complete with their facing stones. A series of painstaking excavations conducted by the National Museum of Wales has uncovered and preserved a street of shops, a temple, a courtyard house and a wonderful example of a basilica and attached market forum. Under the care of CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments the foundations of all of these structures can be seen for free whilst wandering the village. A centre for the local Silures people, Caerwent became a shining example of how to live as a Roman. Caerwent co-existed for a time with the large legionary fortress of the Second Legion Augusta at Caerleon, just 8 miles away. An inscribed statue base to the former commander of the Second Legion, Tiberius Claudius Paulinus, can be seen just inside the porch of St Stephen and St Tathan church.

Extra info
Caerwent OS grid ref: ST4690.
Parking in the village is limited.
Material from Caerwent can be seen at the National Museum of Wales in Cathays Park, Cardiff and at Newport Museum. See www.nmgw.ac.uk for further information and additional material on the Roman Legionary Museum at Caerleon.

The Baths of Damp Heat in the west wing of Chedworth Villa © National Trust Photographic Library/Ian Shaw/Bridgeman Art Library
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Introduction
Chedworth is a fine example of a rich Roman villa country estate. Situated at Yanworth near Cheltenham, this impressive array of remains includes some wonderful mosaics and even a shrine.

Archaeology
A villa the size of Chedworth represents a powerful symbol of wealth within the rich Cotswold landscape. Developed throughout the Roman period from the second century, the plan of Chedworth grew from a single dwelling to a double courtyard design, surrounded by residential and administrative wings. The complex was fed by a spring around which a shrine was built. The shrine bares an early Christian symbol scratched into the masonry, a sign of the new religion being adopted in the West. Two bath-houses are associated with the villa which offer both the traditional three-phase bath and also a Turkish-style dry-heat bath. The opulence of the owners is reflected in the high quality of mosaic floors and hypocaust under-floor heating found in several rooms. A museum building stands in the centre of the site.

Extra info
Chedworth OS grid ref: SP0513.
The villa is in the care of the National Trust. Call 01242 890256 for further information or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.