Researchers Unearth a 2000-Yr-Old Whole Roman Town in England, Term it the Most Valuable Discovery
Archaeologists were stunned by the discoveries they made during their excavations in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The excavations at the south-eastern part of the A417 in Gloucestershire were being done as part of the Missing Link Scheme, stated BBC. Researchers found a whole town while exploring Ermin Way on the site. As per examinations, the town had connections to several Roman-era settlements in Cirencester and Gloucester. For archaeologists, this Roman-era finding is their most valuable discovery in this project. "Our Roman settlement site was one of the standout areas of our work on the A417 project," Alex Thomson, from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology said.
Researchers have found evidence of a mutatio – or horse-changing station in the town, according to The Guardian. As per experts, the structure could have been used for rest by travelers using Ermine Way to go to Cirencester in Gloucestershire and Silchester in Hampshire. "We knew that we would find good archaeology, but what was revealed exceeded all expectations," Thomson said of the findings. "Being able to look at a Roman roadside settlement in such extensive detail is a rare opportunity. It’s clear that the structures we’ve recorded helped serve the passing trade on a busy Roman highway – it really could be a 2,000-year-old service station.”
Archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology claim that the structures they recorded in the city contributed to the trade activities on the Roman highways, according to BBC. They believed the place was a stopping point for businessmen and travelers going to the trading places through the Roman highway. The "service station" part of the city has been identified to be two buildings containing traces of horse bones, bridles, and hipposandals (Roman counterpart of horseshow) by the experts. "I think it was quite a simple building, consisting of a couple of rooms. One was likely a workshop room and the other more an accommodation, maybe for the people that were running the building," Thomson explained. “There may have been other buildings associated with it elsewhere where people could stay. It’s quite a nice stopping point between Gloucester and Cirencester, about halfway after a tricky climb up the Cotswold escarpment out of the Severn Valley.”
Archaeologists unearthed several artifacts like ovens, Roman coins, 420kg of pottery, brooches, and an animal bone from the town, stated BBC. All of these items shed light on the daily lives of inhabitants who lived in this settlement two millenniums ago. Researchers also spotted a 60mm (2in) tall representation of Cupid cast made from copper alloy at the site, the Guardian stated. As per examinations, the town occupied eight hectares of area. In the settlement, archaeologists uncovered quarry pits that possibly were used by ancient Romans in the construction of Ermin Street, a key route in south-west Roman Britain.
Archaeologists through their findings at the site have concluded that Gloucestershire was an important location for the Roman Empire to facilitate their expansion after 43 A.D., according to BBC. The administration constructed multiple roads through the city to enlarge their influence in the South of England. Through the relationships and tasks completed through these routes, the authorities managed to establish large settlements in places like Cirencester.
Researchers hope the structures and items recovered from the site give them more knowledge regarding the history of the region. "Being able to explore the traces left by our ancestors provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the story of the Cotswolds and leave a lasting legacy of knowledge for the local community," Jim Keyte, National Highways' archaeology project manager for the A417 added.