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Archaeologists cracking Roman history along Dere Street, one of Britain’s oldest roads

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2021-07-19 15:30:04

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Final archaeological findings, as part of a major road upgrade in the north of England, have unearthed remains that cast new light on the Roman history of the region.

The concluding research, which focuses on Cataractonium – a Roman fort and town that has since evolved into Catterick, North Yorkshire – charts discoveries as part of Highways England’s £400m A1 Leeming to Barton upgrade.

More than 62,000 objects have been recovered from the town, which have provided rare insights into the civilian and military population, along with 2.8 tonnes of animal bone and 2.5 tonnes of pottery.

The finds include many rare and exotic items imported from the Mediterranean and North Africa, including the earliest pistachio nut known in Britain, incense burners, ivory bracelets, and a carnelian intaglio depicting Hercules and the lion that would have been set into a finger ring.

Other discoveries include a carved phallus on a reused bridge stone, a brooch depicting a hare, and an Anglo-Saxon dog burial.