Archaeological Discovery

Archaeologists have made an exciting discovery beneath a bus station in Exeter, England: the remains of a Roman fort dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain. The fort was found during a survey of the area ahead of redevelopment.

Roman Fort’s Features

The fort, which likely served as a satellite of the larger military fortification Isca Dumnoniorum, features three defensive ditches, coins, pottery, and imported Samian tableware. The ditches are typical of those seen in Roman military compounds, with one featuring an “ankle breaker” pit designed to deter attackers.

Significance of the Discovery

The discovery of the fort is significant because it provides new insights into the Roman occupation of Exeter and the region. Stephen Rippon, a landscape archaeologist at the University of Exeter, described the find as a “complete surprise” and noted that there was no prior evidence of the fort’s existence.

Exeter’s Roman History

The discovery of the fort adds to the growing body of evidence that Exeter played a pivotal role in the Roman conquest and subjugation of Britain. Previous archaeological discoveries in the area include an ancient fortress and bathhouse, as well as multiple forts of varying size and significance.

Roman Legacy in Exeter

After the Romans left Isca Dumnoniorum and its network of smaller forts around 75 A.D., Exeter became the region’s capital and was transformed into a civilian town. Public baths and defensive stone walls were introduced over the coming decades. However, by 360, the village had started to shrink, and in 410, the Romans abandoned Britain completely. Exeter remained sparsely occupied until 928, when settlers once again returned to the area.

The Fort’s Location

The exact location of the fort in relation to the bus station is still being determined. However, Andrew Pye of the Exeter City Council notes that the discovery demonstrates “just how much of the city’s history can still survive in unlikely places,” including those damaged by wartime bombing and modern concrete foundations.

Ongoing Research

Archaeologists are continuing to excavate the site and study the artifacts that have been found. The discovery of the fort is expected to shed new light on the Roman occupation of Exeter and the region, and to provide valuable insights into the lives of the soldiers who were stationed there.

Discovery of Exceptional Graves

Archaeologists excavating a site in southwest England have uncovered an extraordinary set of 50 Roman-era burials, providing a glimpse into the progressive adoption of Roman burial practices by Iron Age Britons. The burials date to the Roman occupation of Britain, which spanned from 43 to 410 A.D.

Notable Construction and Offerings

The graves exhibit a notable level of construction, with most being lined with stone walls and closed with flat rock slabs. One grave stands out with its unique tent-like structure created by leaning rock slabs against each other, a style resembling Roman graves found in Spain and Italy.

Offerings found within the graves further indicate the influence of Roman customs. These offerings include coins, a ceramic pot, and a carved bone likely used as a knife handle. Additionally, a chicken wing was discovered inside a pot buried with an older woman, who was originally laid to rest with her head resting on a pillow.

Evidence of High Status and Nearby Roman Villa

The elaborate construction and offerings suggest that the individuals buried at the site were of high status. Archaeologist Steve Membery notes that the graves have been “built” rather than simply cut into the ground, indicating a significant level of care.

Archaeologists believe the burials are linked to a nearby Roman villa, although the villa itself has yet to be located. However, they have unearthed signs of outhouses and a barn that may be associated with it.

Cultural Transition from Iron Age to Roman Customs

The burials provide evidence of the gradual cultural transition from Iron Age traditions to the adoption of more Roman customs. Earlier tombs feature bodies laid flat in a small space, while later graves include more elaborate offerings and construction techniques.

This transition is further supported by the discovery of Iron Age roundhouses, a Bronze Age barrow, and a Roman building on the site. Archaeologists have been able to examine generations of a community whose existence spanned over 500 years, capturing the cultural evolution that occurred during the Roman occupation.

Roman Invasion and Occupation

The Roman Period in Britain began after Julius Caesar’s first attempt to conquer the British Isles. The invasion, driven by a desire for political power, saw the Roman army landing in southeast England and pushing north and westward.

In the southwest, the Romans faced fierce resistance from tribes based out of Iron Age hill forts. However, they eventually emerged victorious, although intermittent rebellion continued in northern regions like Scotland.

Southern Britain was the only area where the landscape began to take on a distinctly Mediterranean character, with towns being built by local gentry who transformed themselves into Romanised gentlemen within a generation or two.

Archaeological Significance

The discovery of these high-status Roman burials provides valuable insights into the lives and customs of Iron Age Britons during the Roman occupation. The burials showcase the progressive adoption of Roman practices, the construction of elaborate graves, and the presence of a nearby Roman villa.

The site also offers a glimpse into the cultural transition that occurred during this period, as well as the broader context of the Roman invasion and occupation of Britain.

Discovery and Significance

Amateur archaeologists Richie Milor and David Goldwater made a remarkable discovery during annual excavations at Vindolanda, a Roman fort in northern England. They unearthed a rare sandstone carving depicting a nude horseman, the first of its kind found at the site. The carving is believed to date back to the fourth century A.D.

Experts at the Vindolanda Charitable Trust are studying the carving to determine its significance. The lack of inscriptions or identifying marks makes it challenging to identify the figure depicted, but its attributes suggest it may represent either Mercury, the god of travel, or Mars, the god of war.

Attributes and Symbolism

The horseman’s nudity is a key clue in identifying the figure. According to historian Jeffrey M. Hurwit, nudity in ancient Greek and Roman art often symbolized divine or heroic status. The horseman’s spear, a common attribute of Mars, further supports this interpretation. However, the possibility of Mercury is raised by the presence of two circular features on the horseman’s head, which could represent wings, a symbol associated with the god.

Context and Speculation

The discovery of the carving near fourth-century calvary barracks suggests a connection to military deities. Soldiers stationed at Vindolanda may have created their own depiction of Mars or Mercury, or even a deity combining characteristics of both.

Historical Background

Vindolanda, located about a mile south of Hadrian’s Wall, was established as a permanent Roman outpost in the late 80s A.D. It played a crucial role during the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, providing supplies and workers. The fort was occupied by Roman soldiers until 370 A.D., when they withdrew as part of Rome’s departure from Britain.

Archaeological excavations at Vindolanda have yielded numerous notable finds, including wooden tablets with handwritten notes from Roman soldiers, sandals, combs, textiles, swords, arrowheads, ceramics, bronze statues, and even a leather mouse and boxing gloves.

Ongoing Research and Exhibition

The newly discovered horseman carving is a significant addition to Vindolanda’s archaeological treasures. Experts continue to study the carving, seeking to unravel its mysteries and shed light on the beliefs and practices of Roman soldiers stationed at the fort.

The carving will be exhibited at the Vindolanda Museum through September 24, providing visitors with an opportunity to view this rare and enigmatic artifact firsthand.

Discovery and Significance

During the excavation of a highway in Lincolnshire, UK, archaeologists stumbled upon a remarkable find: a 2,000-year-old Roman roof tile bearing the imprint of a cat’s paw. This discovery provides tantalizing evidence of the presence of cats in Roman Britain and sheds light on their relationship with humans.

Excavation Details

The find was made by researchers from Network Archaeology, who were excavating the route of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass. The roof tile was crafted from red clay and set out to dry in the sun when a cat inadvertently stepped on it, leaving its mark.

Animal Prints on Roman Tiles

The cat paw print is not an isolated discovery. At the same site, archaeologists have also found roof tiles with deer hoof marks and dog prints. These animal prints suggest that the buildings were likely part of a compound owned by wealthy Romans, who may have kept cats to control rodents and other pests.

Evidence of Domestication

The presence of cat paw prints on Roman roof tiles raises the question of whether these cats were domesticated or wild. While the Romans are known to have kept cats as pets, it is also possible that the print could come from a native wild cat species that was exploring the drying tiles.

Historical Context

This is not the first time a British cat has left its mark on history. In 2015, a set of cat prints was found on a Roman roof tile dated to around 100 A.D. during excavations in Gloucester. Cat prints are relatively rare on Roman tiles, making this discovery particularly significant.

Cats in Medieval Manuscripts

Cats have also made their presence known in other historical documents. In 2013, a researcher discovered a medieval manuscript in Croatia that included paw prints left by a cat walking over the document. These paw prints provide further evidence of the long and intertwined relationship between cats and humans.

Archaeological Significance

The cat paw print on the Roman roof tile is just one of tens of thousands of finds that have been made during the excavation of the Lincolnshire Eastern Bypass roadway. Other discoveries include flints from hunter-gatherers, arrows and ax-heads from Neolithic hunters, and Bronze-age burials containing human ashes.

Roman Villa and Graves

Excavations from the Roman era have also revealed evidence of a large Roman villa, including stone-lined wells and a fish pond. Several Roman graves were also found, providing insights into the lives and customs of the people who lived in this area during the Roman period.

Medieval and Pre-Modern Finds

In addition to the Roman remains, the excavations have also uncovered a Medieval malthouse and a pre-modern farmhouse, along with dozens of other finds. These discoveries provide a comprehensive picture of the history of human settlement in this region, from prehistoric times to the present day.

Conclusion

The discovery of the cat paw print on the Roman roof tile is a fascinating glimpse into the past. It highlights the enduring presence of cats in human society and the importance of archaeological research in uncovering the rich tapestry of our history.