The construction of modern infrastructure often reveals unsuspected treasures of the past. In Great Britain, in Gloucestershire, roadworks have uncovered a major Roman site, shedding light on a pivotal period in British history. Excavated by the team Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, in partnership with National Highways and Historic England, this site extends over eight hectares along Ermin Street, a key route linking Cirencester to Gloucester during the Roman Empire.
These excavations, carried out as part of the A417 Missing Link project, have uncovered structures and artefacts linked to Roman travel, trade and daily life, revealing a strategic stopover almost 2,000 years old. This discovery offers a unique perspective on the organization and impact of Romanization in Britain, a region once key to the expansion of the Empire.
A strategic stopover on Ermin Street in Britain
Gloucestershire was at the forefront of Roman expansion in Britain after the invasion of 43 AD. The Romans quickly established a network of roads, facilitating the spread of their influence and the development of important colonies. The site discovered near Gloucester is located on Ermin Street. It is one of the most important Roman roads in Britain. This route linked major centers such as Cirencester, a crucial commercial and administrative hub, Gloucester, a strategic military point, and Silchester, a thriving town of the time. Alex Thomson, project manager for Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, points out that this route played a key role in trade and travel…Read more on Science et vie
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