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Beneath the elegant Georgian architecture of Bath, remains of the Roman baths and temple precinct can still be found © Mick Aston
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Introduction
Apart from two Iron-Age communities who lived on the fringes of what we now call Bath, and a few pre-Roman votive offerings found within the city, it looks as if the site of modern Bath existed as a dramatic, steamy, spring cluster before the invading Roman army happened upon what they considered a magical place.
Archaeology
The city of Bath is covered by a remarkable variety of classical architecture built in the local, creamy-coloured, oolitic limestone. Under this beautiful facade lies some fantastic Roman archaeology which starts at the time of the invasion itself, AD43. Bath of course is famous for its bathhouses and Roman bath houses needed to be continually stoked and heated, consuming tons of fuel and often presenting a serious fire risk. For this reason many Roman bathhouses are actually found outside settlements. However, in Bath the Romans discovered three natural springs which spewed forth tens of thousands of litres of hot water between 40 and 50 degrees centigrade every day. The town which grew around the springs was known to the Romans as Aquae Sulis and was a centre of religious activity based around the god Sulis Minerva; a combined native and classical deity.
Extra info
Bath OS grid ref: ST7564.
Look at www.romanbaths.co.uk for further information or call 01225 477 785 to contact the baths directly.
Introduction
Roman Dover was a bustling Channel port which acted as a vital economic and military hub because it was one of the closest points in Britannia to the rest of the European continent.
Archaeology
Dover, or Dubris, was occupied throughout the Roman period. The port became an administrative centre and home for the Classis Britannica, the Romano-British navy. Excavations have revealed extensive settlement of the area and continued development. Three successive forts were established here with the final defences being incorporated into the line of Saxon Shore Forts running from Portchester to Brancaster. The most impressive structural evidence includes a Roman lighthouse within the grounds of the later Dover Castle. This still stands to a great height though the upper section is medieval. Within Dover itself a fine example of a town house was discovered, which still contains its garish painted wall plaster panels, known as the Painted House.
Extra info
Dover OS grid ref: TR3141.
Dover Museum is located in Market Street. See www.dover.gov.uk/museum for further information. The Roman painted house is in New Street, call 01304 203 279 for details. The Roman lighthouse is within Dover Castle which is under the care of English Heritage.
Look at www.english-heritage.org.uk for further information.
Introduction
Starting out as an Iron-Age settlement for the Catuvellaunian people, St Albans became a model Roman town and one of the most successful in the country.
Archaeology
Excavation has been widespread in St Albans, to the extent that the plan of the walled town complete with the different insula sections (like American 'blocks' divided by streets) is well known. The Romans called St Albans Verulamium, a corruption of an earlier native name. Situated on the Watling Street Roman road between London and Chester, Verulamium appears to have held an important status as it continued to be a working town well after the Roman occupation was withdrawn. It's a classic example of Roman town planning; formal, tidy, and complete with a forum basilica, baths, shops and plenty of temples. Archaeological remains which can be seen today include a remarkable and very rare Roman theatre complete with stage and banked areas which would once have held the cheering crowd. Standing remains of the town walls with their alternating courses of brick and flint bands can also be seen in some places. Verulamium Museum has exceptional examples of mosaics, painted plaster and other finds associated with the Roman buildings discovered in the town.
Extra info
St Albans OS grid ref: TL1407.
St Albans Verulamium Museum is in St Michaels Street.
See www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/verulamium_museum.htm for further information or call 01727 751810.
The amphitheatre, 'Isca' at Caerleon © John P.Stevens/Ancient Art & Architecture Collection
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Introduction
Home to the Second Legion Augusta, one of the most famous Roman legions based in Britain, the legionary fortress at Caerleon boasts some fascinating unspoilt archaeology.
Archaeology
Known to the Romans as Isca, the village of Caerleon in South Wales has been a centre of archaeological investigation since antiquarian times. Much of the plan of the massive legionary fortress is now known and the remains that can be seen today are among the best in the country. The modern Roman Legionary Museum, with its lively displays and reconstructed barrack rooms, sits over the site of a senior officer's house, while a short walk down the high street takes you to a neat undercover preservation of the military bathhouse. The foundations of barrack blocks, ovens and latrines are also visible in the western corner of the fortress. However, the most impressive remains are those of the amphitheatre. Its high stone retained banks surround a central arena which must have witnessed astounding spectacles in the past.
Though approximately 5,000 strong it's not believed that the whole legion would have been based here at any one time as units would have been constantly posted to different areas, much as regiments today have individual units sent to different parts of the world as needs be. Though it was a thriving military base with a substantial associated civilian settlement for some 200 years, Caerleon was largely abandoned by the military at the end of the 3rd century.
Extra info
Caerleon OS grid ref: ST3490.
The Roman Legionary Museum at Caerleon is a part of the National Museum of Wales. Look at www.nmgw.ac.uk/rlm or call 01633 423 134 for more information. The Roman baths and amphitheatre are under the care of CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments. Look at www.cadw.wales.gov.uk for further information.
The still high town walls of Calleva Atrebatum at Silchester © Ronald Sheridan@Ancient Art & Architecture Collection Ltd
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Introduction
The excavations of Silchester at the end of the 19th century, and a continuing programme of work by Reading University, have given archaeologists a fascinating insight to life in a walled Roman town. Because the site was not further developed after the Roman withdrawal the archaeology has been exceptionally well preserved.
Archaeology
Known to the Romans as Calleva Atrebatum, Silchester was originally a settlement belonging to the pro-Roman Atrebates people, a tribe who called on Rome to save them from their intimidating Catuvellaunian neighbours just prior to the invasion. The upstanding remains that can be seen today include the town walls which, though they have been robbed of practically all of their facing stone, still stand to a great height: a testimony to the strength of Roman concrete. An amphitheatre can also be seen to the east which has typical north and south entrances and east and west facing alcoves. All that remains within the walls today is grassland, but excavation and aerial photography have shown that some classic Roman town planning took place here. All the expected public buildings, such as baths and forum basilica, are present together with a variety of shops, workshops and townhouses. Though the site was heavily defended, its importance couldn't be sustained, as after the Roman withdrawal it fell into decline and was eventually abandoned shortly into the 5th century.
Extra info
Silchester OS grid ref: SU6261.
The story of Silchester and many finds from the excavations can be seen at Reading Museum.
Look at www.readingmuseum.org.uk or call 0118 939 9800 for further information.
Reading University also have an excellent online resource at www.silchester.rdg.ac.uk.
Introduction
The Roman remains of Lincoln signify what was once a prominent fort and later settlement founded within the lands of the native Corieltauvi people of the East Midlands, a tribe thought to have been sympathetic to the Roman administration.
Archaeology
Invaded by the Ninth Hispana Legion, sent north shortly after the initial landings of AD43, Lincoln was first established as a legionary fortress, a defensive base in a region close to surrounding tribes. Archaeology has shown that a settlement grew around the fortress which then expanded on the thriving economy created by being associated with the occupying soldiers. As the conquest of Britannia continued and the frontier moved north, Lincoln became converted from a fortress town to a colony, or colonia, for retired soldiers to make their home. By the close of the first century AD Lincoln was an established centre of administration and wealth. After some 200 years of occupation Lincoln became a regional capital and excavations have shown that Christianity became more accepted here in the fourth century as a series of churches were built prior to the decline of the settlement following the Roman withdrawal in the early fifth century.
Extra info
Lincoln OS grid ref: SK9771.
Much of Roman Lincoln can be traced by walking the boundary of the old city walls. The City and County Museum also have a great collection of material. Look at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ccm or call 01522 552 222 for further information.
Vindolanda Roman fort, Bath House © Ronald Sheridan@Ancient Art & Architecture Collection
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Introduction
Ongoing excavations at this fascinating fort at Chesterholm on Hadrian's Wall have provided archaeologists with some of the most intriguing finds of Roman Britain.
Archaeology
The environmental conditions at Vindolanda mean that this site has something preserved in abundance which many other sites rarely see; organic material. Work by Dr Robin Birley and his staff over the last 30 years has uncovered a remarkable selection of preserved wooden writing tablets, which account for both the administration of the fort and personal letters from the soldiers based there. The variety of notes include musings on army food, tallies of daily military routines and even requests for new socks. Other organic material includes perfectly preserved leather sandals and shoes, wood, woven cloth and other textiles. The fort was occupied by various auxiliary units from France, Holland and Belgium from the first to the fourth century. Today the site features a full-size replica of a section of Hadrian's Wall and an excellent visitor centre. Seasonal excavations and summer schools are also promoted by the Vindolanda Trust.
Extra info
Vindolanda OS grid ref: NY7766.
The site of Vindolanda is under the care of the Vindolanda Trust. See their website at www.vindolanda.com or call the nearby Roman Army Museum directly on 01697 747 485 for further details.
Introduction
Situated north of Sevenoaks and just south of Swanley (J3, M25) by the River Darenth, Lullingstone Roman villa is a fine example of an early villa based in a rich area of the country which was repeatedly developed and upgraded until it became a formidable, luxury, country home.
Archaeology
Excavations by archaeologist G K Homer in the 1960s uncovered the substantial villa complex of Lullingstone, which remains visible. A special structure has been built over the site which allows the visitor to view the foundation walls and mosaics from a raised gallery. Of particular interest is the mosaic including a fine image of Europa reclining on the bull Jupiter, while a cupid tries to restrain the beast by holding its tail, all surrounded by geometric shapes. A painstaking programme of archaeological reconstruction work has enabled thousands of wall plaster fragments to be rejoined in a puzzle of gigantic proportions. The result was a reconstructed Roman wall surface with pictures of early Christian symbolism and depictions of people in prayer. This made Lullingstone villa, in what appears to be its later stages of development, quite an unusual building; an early church house.
Extra info
Lullingstone OS grid ref: TQ5265.
Lullingstone Roman villa is under the care of English Heritage. Look at www.english-heritage.org.uk or call 01322 863 467 for more information.
Introduction
Like Maiden Castle (also in Dorset), Hod Hill is another example of a Durotregan hillfort in the west country which was taken by force during the early stages of the invasion.
Archaeology
The Durotriges were certainly adverse to Roman rule and appear to have fought some particularly tough battles against the Second Legion Augusta as the Romans rolled through their territory around AD43-44. Like Maiden Castle this site suffered as a result of putting up resistance to the invaders. The archaeological evidence points towards Hod Hill being a thriving community. Unlike many hillforts where signs of occupation are few, Hod Hill appears to have been a large defended town of several hundred roundhouses enclosed by defensive earthwork banks and ditches. The distribution pattern of ballista bolts and other Roman projectiles found inside the hillfort indicate that a concentrated display of torsion artillery firepower was directed at a large roundhouse within its own enclosure inside the defended town. The lack of damage elsewhere suggests that the Romans made an example of what must have been the chieftain's house or main meeting hall, enough to subdue the defenders into surrender. A temporary Roman fort was then constructed within the original Iron-Age defences.
Extra info
Hod Hill OS grid ref: ST8510.
Hod Hill is free to visit and stands within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. See www.dorsetaonb.org.uk for further details.
Introduction
Situated by the River Dee, Chester was a military base of fortress size. It soon attracted a supporting civilian settlement and became a large and influential town.
Archaeology
Traces of the Roman town walls of Chester can still be found on the northern and eastern sides, though much of the Roman remains now lie under the medieval city. The strategic position of Chester is particularly important because it protects Roman interests between the boarders of the fractious Brigantes in the north and what appear to be the equally feisty Deciangli of North Wales to the west. The first defensive works here were probably built around the late 40s AD and the fort was expanded into a fortress home some time around the late 80s AD for the Twentieth Legion after they were pulled back from their fort on the fringes of the empire at Inchtuthil. Chester was then continually occupied throughout the Roman period until it suffered decline after the Roman withdrawal. The most substantial remains that can be seen today are those of the elliptical amphitheatre by St John's church in the south-east. Half of the site is currently exposed while continuing work is underway to investigate the hidden remains.
Extra info
Chester OS grid ref: SJ4066.
Roman finds from Chester can be seen at the Grosvenor Museum. See www.chestercc.gov.uk or call 01244 402 008 for further information. Also see www.chester.gov.uk/amphitheatre/index.html to follow the ongoing work at the amphitheatre.
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In AD 60 life was getting more and more harsh for the Iceni. 
