A Roman cemetery at Brougham

At the beginning of this year Archaeology News reported on the excavation of a sizeable Roman cemetery at Brougham. Situated some miles south of Carlisle in the historic county of Westmoreland Brougham has both the site of a Roman camp, and a splendid, if ruined, medieval castle. It is well worth a visit.  

 

There is a detailed account of the history of the site from Roman times onwards on Wikipedia at Brougham_Castle

The discoveries at the Roman cemetery are described at a Large Roman cemetery excavation at Brougham reveals diverse burial practices on Britain’s northern frontier

Life in Luguvalium

The continuing excavations at the very productive Cricket club site in Carlisle - Luguvalium to the Romans - continues to yield a rich haul of Roman artefacts. The most recent - including a military diploma or discharge plaque -  are indicated in a report from BBC News at Finding personal Roman items in Carlisle a 'real connection'

Wikipedia gives a useful introduction to the Roman city - the furthermost in the Empire in the north-west, and almost at the end of Hadrian’s Wall  - at Luguvalium

Making ink on Hadrian’s Wall

Archaeonews recently reported on a study of the ink used in the letters and notes written on slivers of wood at Vindolanda, just behind Hadrian’s Wall. 

The results of the non-invasive scientific analysis can be read in Roman Soldiers at Vindolanda Secretly Made Their Own Ink — Using Techniques Forgotten in the Mediterranean

Sculpture from the barracks at Vindolanda

Almost a year ago The Independent reported the discovery at the site of Vindolanda of a portion of a Roman panel from the gateway to the barracks building. Dated to 213, after the end of the Severan Wars, it depicts the goddess Victoria ( Victory ). From the photograph it appears to have the rather chubby characteristics of Roman provincial culture rather than the high art of Rome in its Classical metropolitan heyday, but it has a rugged charm and is a link to the cultural life of its time and location.

 

The article can be seen at Ancient Roman statue found at Hadrian’s Wall by amateur archaeologists  

A terracotta female head from the fort at Magna

A recent story from BBC News reported the discovery of a striking Roman terracotta female head which was found during the excavation of the site of the Roman fort at Magna, near Haltwhistle.

The account can be seen ‘Wonderful' Roman terracotta head found during Magna Fort dig

Excavations at Bremenium Fort

The ongoing excavations at the site of the Roman fort of  Brenenium on the northern extension of Dere Street, linking Eboracum ( York ) to Hadrian’s Wall and then northwards to what is now southern Scotland were reported upon last autumn by Heritage Daily in Major discoveries at Bremenium Roman Fort

One find in particular was featured by Archaeology Magazine in Carved Jewel Uncovered at Roman Fort in Northern England

A gold coin linking East and West from Antonine Scotland

Another archaeological discovery from the Antonine era at Newstead in southern Scotland which links the area to the wider Roman world is a gold aureus of Trajan m, minted to commemorate his victory over the Parthians in the war of 114-117. Once again the reach of Roman military might can be seen linking Scotland to the Near East through the image and power of a the Emperor.

Archaeology News reported on the discovery last year. and the coin was about to go on display at the Trimontium Museum in the Scottish Borders. Tha article can be accessed at Rare Roman gold coin found in Scottish Borders to be displayed

Mithraism in second century Scotland

Excavations in 2010 at Inveresk, close to the northern coast of East Lothian uncovered two very handsome altars intended for the worship of Mithras. The Eastern mystery cult of Mithras was, of course, particularly popular with the Roman military. They date from the second century occupation of this part of Scotland, and are evidence for the most northerly Mithraiam known in Britain. 

The two altars have been acquired by the National Museum of Scotland and will feature in a forthcoming exhibition at the NMS in Edinburgh.

This is reported upon by BBC News in Ancient Roman altars to go on display in Edinburgh

There is a little more information in the Wikipedia entry for Inveresk