It is believed the bathhouse might have been reused in the medieval period as a house
Posted on 05/15/2013 8:00:56 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists are to explore the remains of a Roman naval base in Cumbria in the hope of finding evidence of a civilian settlement from more than 1,800 years ago.
The fort, often referred to as Glannaventa, was built to protect the North West from Irish invasion and was occupied from AD 120 through to the 4th Century.
Sited at the edge of an eroding cliff overlooking the River Esk, parts of the fort and settlement are believed to have been reused to build the village of Ravenglass and the early Muncaster Castle.
Over the centuries the Roman remains have been damaged by a railway cutting and by coastal erosion at the western end.
All that is left today is an earthwork platform overgrown by trees and shrubs.
But this is not the case for the fort's bathhouse, also known as Walls Castle, which survives today as standing masonry.
Archaeologists believe the bathhouse might have been reused in the medieval period as a house, which is why the ruins remain today.
The ruins were first recognised as Roman in 1876, but they were thought to be of a villa rather than a bathhouse.
It was not until 1919 that Walls Castle was identified as a bathhouse.
The building provided relaxation for the Roman soldiers and for civilians who lived in the settlement outside the fort.
Much like a modern-day spa, it would have been used for swimming and bathing as well as various sports.
Over the years excavations at the site have uncovered finds such as a piece of samian ware (a type of luxury Roman pottery), fragments of a mortarium (a kitchen vessel similar to a mortar) as well as fused glass, bones, tiles and bricks.
But little is known about the site's history.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
It is believed the bathhouse might have been reused in the medieval period as a house
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A shame it was never identified for preservation before now.
The Romans didn’t keep the building’s drawings and permits?
I've been to Ravenglass many times. Its a lovely little place, with its own private narrow gauge railway (the ratty) and some very picturesque waterfalls. I'm glad the archeologists have finally been given the go ahead to dig though.
Any US archeology students fancy a good field trip? :)
roman_bath_house
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