What Was The Roman Invasion Of Britain Actually Like? | Digging For Britain | Unearthed History

This paragraph introduces a British archaeology program showcasing the year's most significant discoveries from hundreds of excavations across the UK. It highlights the collaborative efforts of archaeologists and the importance of their work in unraveling the nation's history. The narrative moves to the west of England, where army veterans join the quest for Anglo-Saxon warriors, and discusses the implications of finding Britain's earliest leprosy hospital and a lost Roman masterpiece. The setting is the Dorset County Museum, known for its collection of Thomas Hardy's study and notebooks, as well as significant Bronze Age artifacts. The focus then narrows to a Bronze Age burial site at Barrow Clump, which is being excavated due to damage caused by badgers. The urgency of the excavation is emphasized, leading to the discovery of a fragile Bronze Age burial pot, emphasizing the excitement of the find.

The second paragraph delves into the meticulous work of osteoarchaeologist Jacqueline McKinley, who lifts a Bronze Age collared urn with care, noting its cord decoration. Another significant find is a larger food vessel, carefully extracted and bandaged for support. The narrative shifts to the analysis of human remains found within these urns, providing insights into the sex and status of the individuals, suggesting they were likely male and of high status. The antiquarians' traditional view of burials as chieftains is challenged by the diverse remains found. The paragraph also introduces Operation Nightingale, a unique project where military veterans participate in archaeology as a form of therapy. The veterans' experiences and the therapeutic value of archaeology are discussed, along with the discovery of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Barrow Clump, providing a link between the past and the present through the veterans' personal stories.

This section details the discovery of a shield boss and spearhead at an Anglo-Saxon burial site, suggesting the presence of warriors. The team ponders the reason for the concentration of male burials with shields, likening it to a symbolic Saxon Shield Wall. Despite numerous graves, the team has yet to find a sword, a highly prized Saxon item. The importance of discovering a sword and the process of extracting it are emphasized. The paragraph concludes with the live X-ray of a discovered sword, revealing it to be pattern-welded, a sign of high status and craftsmanship. The individual buried with the sword is believed to have been a person of power and wealth, adding to the mystery and significance of the find.

The focus of this paragraph is on the examination of an Anglo-Saxon sword found in a grave, which is a significant artifact from the 6th Century. The team is eager to determine if the sword is pattern-welded, indicative of high status. The sword's beauty and its remnants, including copper from the scabbard and possible wood from the handle, are described. The X-ray confirms the pattern welding, revealing the intricate crisscross pattern in the blade, a sign of both strength and decoration. The paragraph also discusses the practical use of the sword as a weapon, emphasizing its purpose beyond its prestige. The individual buried with the sword, along with a shield and spear, is believed to have been an important figure, possibly a local king or warrior chief, reflecting the social structure and burial practices of the time.

The paragraph discusses the discovery of a Roman ballist bolt embedded in a vertebra, providing evidence of the Roman invasion of Britain. The violent nature of the individual's death, including a head wound and an attempted beheading, is detailed, painting a picture of the brutality of the Roman conquest. The contrast between this violent encounter and the peaceful coexistence suggested by other archaeological findings is highlighted. The paragraph also describes the gradual Romanization of the local population, as evidenced by the presence of luxury goods like chicken and wine, and the slow integration of Roman culture over three centuries. The complexity of the transition from Iron Age to Roman rule is emphasized, challenging the traditional black-and-white narrative of the Roman invasion.

This section focuses on the ongoing archaeological work at a site in Dorset, where the transition from Iron Age to Roman Britain is being explored. The team conducts a geophysical survey and discovers a large square enclosure with small pits, which could be a shrine, temple, or agricultural enclosure. The discovery of rectangular cuts that turn into graves suggests the presence of a Roman burial site. The graves are aligned east-west, indicating they are not Christian, and the presence of coffins and grave goods, such as spindle whorls and hobnails, suggests a Roman influence. The team uncovers five graves, including those of three females and two males, which are believed to be late Roman and contemporary with a nearby 4th Century villa. The artifacts found, such as pottery, are expected to provide a more accurate dating of the burials and potentially link them to the villa's occupants.

The paragraph discusses the discovery of a worn pottery vessel in a grave, suggesting the burials are of a sub-Roman population that still clung to remnants of the Roman world. The vessel's wear indicates it was used for an extended period before being buried, dating the burials to the mid-5th Century. The theory that the bodies at Maiden Castle were natives resisting the Romans is brought up, with a possibility that the excavated bodies are their descendants. The potential for DNA analysis to establish a connection is mentioned. The paragraph also explores the evidence of Roman villas and the question of whether the inhabitants were indigenous or migrants from the Roman Empire. The Romano-British people's lifestyle after the Roman army's departure in 410 AD is considered, with the dig at Chedworth revealing a grand reception hall with a large mosaic, indicative of wealth and a connection to the wider Roman culture.

This section describes the unexpected discovery of a large, intricate mosaic at the Chedworth Roman villa, which was initially thought to be a second-century bath house. The mosaic, along with other finds such as wall plaster, suggests a grand and wealthy Romano-British presence. The complexity of the mosaics indicates a desire to be part of the wider Roman culture, with imagery of Roman gods and legends. The question of whether the villa's owners were locals who prospered from Roman occupation or Roman officials is left open. The mosaics found in the county museum are also mentioned, with their themes of rebirth and celebration providing insight into the beliefs and status of the villa owners.

The paragraph discusses the excavation of St. Mary le Moline, one of the earliest leprosy hospitals in Britain, near Winchester. The hospital's cemetery contains a high percentage of individuals with leprosy, providing valuable insights into the disease during the Middle Ages. The condition of the skeletons, including severe bone loss, reveals the devastating effects of leprosy. Contrary to the traditional view of leprosy sufferers as outcasts, the graves at St. Mary le Moline show signs of respect and care, with well-constructed grave sites. The discovery of a pilgrim's scallop shell in one grave suggests that leprosy sufferers were not always marginalized and could have been individuals of status. The hospital's evidence, including a chapel and medical provisions, challenges the view that leprosy sufferers were excluded from society.

The final paragraph details the excavation at Ippleton in Devon, which is expanding the known boundaries of Roman Britain in the west. The discovery of a well-preserved Roman road and a growing number of graves indicates a Romano-British cemetery. The graves' alignment with the road and the presence of a mysterious artifact, possibly a cosmetic case, add to the intrigue. The findings, including a brooch and beads, suggest a Roman presence dating from the 1st to the 4th century and continuing into the post-Roman period. The radiocarbon dating of the latest burial places it between the 7th and 8th centuries, indicating a long-lasting cemetery. The excavations at Ippleton are described as a revelation, contributing to a rewriting of the history of the Romans and the Dark Ages in the southwest of Britain.