Roman Binchester: new results and new perspectives
- Date
- 31 Mar 2015
- Start time
- 7:30 PM
- Venue
- Tempest Anderson Hall
- Speaker
- Dr David Petts
Roman Binchester: new results and new perspectives
A joint lecture with the Yorkshire Archaeological Society, Roman Antiquities Section
David Petts, Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Durham
Over the last six years a team of archaeologists from Durham has been uncovering the archaeology of the Roman fort at Binchester (County Durham). In the course of their work, they have revealed a barrack block and latrine and parts of the thriving civilian settlement that grew up at the fort gates. Work in this latter area has unexpectedly uncovered one of the best preserved Roman bath-houses in Roman Britain, with walls standing up to 2 metres high. These buildings and the artefacts found within them are helping the team to gain a better understanding of military and civilian life in Northern England during the Roman period
Report
Nineteenth- and twentieth-century excavations of the Roman auxiliary fort at Binchester (Vinovia), near Bishop Auckland, where Dere Street once crossed the river Wear revealed the commanders headquarters and a rectangular bathhouse with intact hypocaust. The various buildings had been much altered for different uses at least into the later fourth century. One of the best-preserved in Britain, the bathhouse walls stand up to two metres high. Artefacts recovered at the site include quantities of jet and glass, a fine carved and inscribed Roman altar, and an early Christian silver ring, inviting interpretation of changing religious beliefs. The garrison had included a Spanish cavalry unit as well as infantry.
Durham archaeologists have been investigating two new trenches over the past six years and have uncovered a corner tower, latrine and barrack block. Part of the area excavated included the civilian civil settlement. It was hoped the seventh and final season, in June and July 2015, would give further evidence of post-Roman occupation through the fifth century.
Bob Hale