What they found

For this programme, Time Team worked closely with county archaeologist Jane Bramm in an attempt to discover when this previously unexcavated Roman fort was constructed.

Excavation across the supposed defensive ditches revealed evidence for two phases of turf ramparts, with stone backing; a road running along the back of the ramparts; and a three-metre-deep defensive ditch. Both phases of the defensive ramparts were dated to the second century AD.

Geophysics covered most of the fort area and indicated the presence of the main roads, gates, ditches, possible barracks buildings and the Principia, over which two trenches were placed. One trench revealed the foundations of a stone wall and two phases of pink mortared floor surface. Another revealed a cobbled surface, sealing a midden and the remains of timber foundations. Pottery from both phases, found in both trenches, was dated to the second century AD; evidence for burning was also discovered.

Test pits were excavated over other features, including a 5m x 10m anomaly. This revealed a clay-lined wall. Burning debris was discovered across the fort site. This indicated that the second phase of the fort had been demolished when the Romans left. Finds were scarce, suggesting that the Romans had kept the site clean.

Landscape analysis revealed the presence of an annex. This, together with the alignments of the defensive ditches, indicated the possible presence of a first-century fort.

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