Peter Guest

The Priory Field excavation was a research, training and engagement project that investigated a large courtyard store-building in the legionary fortress of Isca at Caerleon. This was the first legionary store excavated to modern standards in the Roman Empire. The excavation exposed the building’s main entranceway and two small adjoining rooms, as well as four squarer storerooms. The coins and pottery provide an excellent chronological sequence for the store, which was constructed around AD 90-110 and remained in use until the end of the 3rd century, after which it fell into a derelict state before being partially demolished and levelled by around 350. Debris from the building’s collapse and demolition sealed the floors of two store rooms, one of which was littered with military finds, many of which survived in a very fragile condition. These included the highly fragmentary remains of a rare example of an elaborately decorated horse’s headpiece, at least one set of dismantled lorica segmentata body armour, as well as another set of unusual scale armour. Two new buildings were constructed among the ruins of the old and partially demolished legionary store, including one 3 room cottage-like building. Radiocarbon dates demonstrate this building was constructed and in use between 430 and 600. This is the first new structure at a Roman site definitively dated to the post-Roman 5th and 6th centuries from Wales (and, arguably, from Britain), and it has an important story to tell about life in Isca after the ending of Britannia, c. 410.

The frontiers of the Roman Empire together form the largest monument of one of the world’s greatest ancient states. They stretch for some 7,500 km through 20 countries which encircle the Mediterranean Sea. The remains of these frontiers have been studied by visitors and later by archaeologists for several centuries. Many of the inscriptions and sculptures, weapons, pottery and artefacts created and used by the soldiers and civilians who lived on the frontier can be seen in museums. Equally evocative of the lost might of Rome are the physical remains of the frontiers themselves. The aim of this series of books is not only to inform the interested visitor about the history of the frontiers but to act as a guidebook as well. The remains of the Roman frontiers in Wales are unique in the Roman Empire. Unlike the well-known defensive linear boundaries such as Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall in northern Britain, the forts and fortresses in Wales formed a dynamic offensive frontier designed to deal with the fierce natives. More than 60 stone and timber fortresses, forts and fortlets are known, some of which seem to have been occupied for only a few years, while others remained in use for far longer. They tell the story of the long and brutal war against the Celtic tribes and, after their final and complete victory, the army’s policy of ‘occupation-in-depth’ when up to 25,000 legionaries and auxiliaries were stationed in Wales. We hope the readers of this book will enjoy discovering the fascinating story of the Roman conquest of Wales almost 2,000 years ago.