Street of the Dead (Binchester, County Durham) | S15E02 | Time Team
TLDRIn a quest to uncover the civilian settlement of Vinovia, archaeologists stumble upon a Roman brick with ancient names, hinting at a lost world. Their investigation reveals not only the civilian settlement but also an earlier, larger Roman fort and a row of mausoleums, the first to be excavated in Britain for over 150 years. The dig provides insights into the lives and deaths of Roman soldiers, with finds including a possible cremation burial and a mysterious circular feature. The team's discoveries push back the history of Vinovia to the beginning of Roman occupation in northern England and offer a glimpse into the rituals and beliefs of the era.
Takeaways
- 🏺 The team discovered a piece of Roman brick with a list of names, suggesting the presence of soldiers from the fort of Vinovia.
- 🛡️ Vinovia, also known as Binchester, was one of the largest Roman forts in northern England and was part of a strategic military route.
- 🏠 The archaeologists aimed to explore the civilian settlement, or 'vicus', which was crucial for the soldiers' needs but was largely overlooked in previous studies.
- 🕵️♂️ The team relied on historical plans and geophysical surveys to guide their excavation, hoping to uncover the lost world of Vinovia.
- 🗺️ The fort's layout included barracks, kitchens, stables, a bathhouse, and was surrounded by a massive stone wall, with the civilian settlement beyond.
- 🏢 The excavation revealed traces of an early timber fort, suggesting a Roman presence dating back to the first century AD.
- 🏰 The team found evidence of a possible mausoleum, which could be the final resting place of a Roman commander.
- 🏺 Excavations uncovered a number of Roman artifacts, including a cremation pot and a coin that could date the ditches to the late first or early second century.
- 🔍 The geophysics team conducted extensive surveys, revealing a complex landscape that included multiple mausoleums and potential early fortifications.
- 🎉 The dig concluded with the discovery of a significant Roman landscape, including an earlier fort and a row of mausolea, providing insights into the Roman occupation of northern England.
Q & A
What is the significance of the Roman brick with names inscribed on it?
-The inscribed names on the Roman brick suggest that it was used as a makeshift list by soldiers, possibly recording the names of soldiers stationed at Vinovia, one of the largest Roman forts in northern England.
What was the purpose of the civilian settlement called 'Vehicus'?
-The Vehicus was a civilian settlement attached to the Roman fort that provided essential services and goods to the soldiers, such as food, warm clothes, and entertainment.
Why have archaeologists largely overlooked the Vehicus until recently?
-The Vehicus has been almost entirely overlooked by archaeologists due to the focus on excavating within the fort itself. The civilian settlement outside the fort's walls has only recently gained attention.
What is the significance of the road called 'Deer Street' in the context of the Roman military presence in Britain?
-Deer Street was a major Roman road that ran from York through Hadrian's Wall to the far north of the empire. It was lined with forts, serving as the backbone of the Roman military presence in Britain.
What did the Reverend Hoople's 19th-century exploration of the Vehicus area reveal?
-Reverend Hoople produced an interesting plan of buildings and sketches of what he found in the Vehicus area. However, the accuracy of his findings is questionable due to the lack of substantiation and potential influence of antiquarians.
What is the significance of the discovery of a possible mausoleum during the Time Team excavation?
-The possible mausoleum is significant as it might be the resting place of a Roman commander and represents an architectural feature that has not been found on Time Team before, indicating a potential new area of historical study.
What evidence suggests that the discovered ditches could be part of an earlier fort?
-The ditches discovered during the excavation extend around the fort, suggesting they are not just an annex or part of the Vehicus but could indicate a much larger earlier fort, potentially pushing the history of Vinovia back to the beginning of the Roman occupation in the north of England.
What is the significance of the discovery of the coin featuring Emperor Vespasian?
-The coin featuring Emperor Vespasian provides a strong dating clue, indicating that the ditches in Trench Two belong to an early fort, as Vespasian was an emperor from the late 1st century, which aligns with the period of early Roman occupation.
What does the discovery of the small piece of pottery from 70 to 85 A.D. suggest about the history of Vinovia?
-The small piece of pottery dated between 70 to 85 A.D. provides evidence of an early, previously unknown fort at Vinovia, dating back to the very beginning of the Roman invasion of the north, which is a significant historical revelation.
What was the purpose of the Roman taverna set up at the end of the excavation?
-The Roman taverna was set up as a celebration of the findings and hard work of the team over the three days of excavation. It was meant to replicate the kind of establishments that would have existed in the Vehicus, providing a tangible connection to the past.
Outlines
🧱 Discovering Roman Soldier Names on Ancient Bricks
A piece of Roman brick reveals a list of names from nearly 2,000 years ago, likely soldiers from Vinovia, one of the largest Roman forts in northern England. The fort's soldiers relied on the civilian settlement, Vehicus, for necessities. Despite its historical significance, the Vehicus has been largely overlooked by archaeologists. This segment explores the civilian life and structures outside the fort, based on a plan by Reverend Hoople from 1891. The goal is to uncover the lost world of Vinovia's Vehicus within three days.
📸 Surveying the Unsurpassed Areas of Vinovia
The team investigates the unscheduled areas of Vinovia, searching for evidence of the Vehicus. Aerial photographs and geophysical surveys suggest potential archaeological features, including an annex and a road extending from the fort. The team opens a second trench to explore these features, uncovering ditches and Roman artifacts such as Samian ware, which indicates the presence of Roman structures. Discussions with a historian reveal skepticism about identifying a potential temple or mausoleum.
🏺 Unearthing Ditches and Pottery in Vinovia
The team opens a trench over a site previously dug in the 19th century, finding only rubble instead of the expected stone buildings. However, another trench reveals wide ditches and Roman artifacts, including a mortarium and greyware pot, suggesting Roman occupation. The survey extends to the north, uncovering the extent of the ditches. Historical context indicates the fort was built to guard a river crossing, and the Vehicus likely extended along both sides of the road. Despite setbacks, the team continues to search for significant structures.
💀 Investigating Potential Roman Cremation Burials
The team discovers a potentially inverted cremation urn in the possible mausoleum trench. The discovery suggests a burial and adds weight to the theory of the site being a mausoleum. Geophysical surveys show double ditches around the fort, hinting at an earlier, larger fort. The discovery timeline may push Vinovia's history back to the beginning of Roman occupation in northern England. Excavation strategies for the remaining days are debated, balancing between the new fort, the Vehicus, and the potential mausoleum.
🔍 Pursuing Evidence of an Early Roman Fort
The team continues to excavate the potential mausoleum and trench areas, finding Roman artifacts and pottery that could date back to the late 1st or early 2nd century. A coin from the trench supports the dating of the ditches to an early fort. Geophysical surveys reveal the settlement likely extended on both sides of the fort. Despite the challenges of limited archaeological evidence, the team remains optimistic about uncovering more significant finds.
🕵️♂️ Confirming Early Roman Occupation in Vinovia
The discovery of a coin from the reign of Emperor Vespasian strengthens the dating of the trench to the late 1st century. The search for military structures continues, aiming to confirm the presence of an early fort. Geophysical results suggest a pattern of settlement around the fort. The excavation extends to uncover more features, including a potential road and building foundations, providing further evidence of early Roman activity in Vinovia.
🏗️ Reconstructing the Layout of Vinovia
Excavations reveal traces of timber structures and cobbled roads, indicating an early Roman fort. Finds include pottery dating back to the early Roman period, providing historical context of Roman military campaigns in northern England. The team faces challenges in confirming the exact layout of the fort and settlement but remains committed to uncovering significant archaeological evidence.
🔎 Deciphering the Structure of a Roman Mausoleum
The team investigates a geophysical anomaly, initially believed to be circular but revealed to be a square feature, likely part of a Roman mausoleum. The structure's masonry and columns indicate a significant burial site. The trench is extended to uncover more walls and door sockets, confirming the mausoleum's construction for an important individual. The findings contribute to understanding Roman burial practices and structures.
🗺️ Mapping the Early Roman Fortifications
Excavation of the extended trench reveals evidence of a rampart and oven, indicating the fort's layout. Pottery finds date back to the early Roman occupation, aligning with historical accounts of Roman military campaigns in the region. The team's efforts confirm the existence of an early timber fort, adding to the understanding of Roman military strategy and settlement patterns in Vinovia.
🏛️ Unveiling a City of the Dead in Vinovia
The dig concludes with the discovery of a row of mausolea, the first found in Britain for 150 years. The team uncovers a well-preserved mausoleum with intricate stonework, likely built for a high-ranking individual. The excavation reveals a previously unknown Roman fort, dating to the early period of Roman occupation in northern England. The findings highlight the significance of the site, transforming the understanding of Vinovia's historical landscape.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Roman Brick
💡Vinovia
💡Vehicus
💡Deer Street
💡Excavation
💡Reverend Hoople
💡Geophysics
💡Mausoleum
💡Samian Ware
💡Rampart
Highlights
Discovery of a Roman brick with ancient names inscribed on it.
Investigation of the civilian settlement (vicus) at Vinovia, often overlooked by archaeologists.
Excavation of the fort at Vinovia, revealing its strategic importance along Dere Street.
Unearthing of a potential temple or mausoleum with intriguing geophysical results.
Finding of a Roman greyware pot possibly indicating a burial site.
Revelation of a large land slip affecting the fort's structure.
Identification of a possible early Roman fort through geophysics and pottery finds.
Uncovering of a coin that provides a date for the ditches to the late 1st or early 2nd century.
Recognition of the significance of the mausoleum as a part of Roman culture.
Discovery of a cremation burial with an inverted urn, suggesting a ritualistic practice.
Finding of a piece of Samian pottery that indicates the early presence of Romans in the area.
Misinterpretation of the geophysical data leading to the unexpected discovery of a square structure.
Reconstruction of a decorated Samian bowl providing insights into individual potters and historical events.
Unveiling of the internal structure of the mausoleum, including a beautifully crafted entrance.
Final confirmation of the early Roman fort's existence through further archaeological evidence.
Celebratory enactment of a Roman ritual at the end of the excavation.
Overall success of the dig in uncovering a lost landscape and pushing back the history of Vinovia.
Transcripts
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