Caistor Roman Town (Venta Icenorum)
The new research project
Summary
Reconstruction of how Caistor Roman Town may have looked in the 4th century AD © Daniel Voisey.
In late 2005, Dr William Bowden of the University of Nottingham’s Department of Archaeology approached the Norfolk Archaeological Trust with a view towards starting a long-term research project at the site. The project will use a range of archaeological techniques to attempt to fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge about the Roman town and its surroundings.
The reconstruction above shows the town as it might have looked in the 4th century AD. Much of what is shown in this image is merely reasonable conjecture, based on what is known of Caistor and of similar sites elsewhere.
Further information
The project will focus on:
1. The origins of the site
Much of the evidence from previous research suggests that the Roman town was established on a previously occupied Iron Age centre rather than a new site. However, the nature and extent of this site remains to be determined. Triple ditches to the south and west of the town along with finds of early Roman military equipment suggest there may have been a military base on the site prior to the town.
2. The development of the town in the later 1st and 2nd century
Our understanding of the early Roman town is largely based on aerial photographs which demonstrate the presence of a street grid thought to be laid out in the later 1st century. However, the known public buildings apparently date to the second half of the 2nd century, although it is possible that the masonry structures revealed in the excavations replaced earlier wooden buildings. The nature of occupation in the other city blocks or insulae (where little is apparent from the aerial photographs) is also unclear. Therefore, it is unknown to what extent the rest of the town was ever fully occupied or what forms that occupation took.
3. The nature of the late Roman town
The town of the 3rd century and later is also little understood. In particular the precise date of the defensive wall has not been established, although some believe it dates to around AD 275-80. Shortly after this date the forum seems to have been rebuilt, its predecessor having been completely destroyed or demolished. The presence of industrial processes such as glass making, however, shows that the town was changing during the 4th century (like other towns in Britain and Europe).
4. The end of the town and the nature of occupation in the post-Roman period
Coin finds show that Caistor survived in some form into the 5th century. Saxon cemeteries that have been identified to the north-west, north and east suggest that occupation of the area continued until as late as the 8th century. The location and extent of this later occupation is unknown, but the evidence suggests that the end of Roman life at the site may have been less sudden than is often believed.
The project will also look at the landscape and environment around Venta Icenorum.
Related pages on this website
External links
Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Services
Visit the website for more information on displays and educational resources (www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk).
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Countryside and Heritage Development Manager |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | lcc@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533945 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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