Archaeologists working on the site at Ipplepen. Photograph: University of Exeter
Posted on 06/22/2016 11:47:22 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The discovery of a few muddy coins in a Devon paddock by a pair of amateur metal detector enthusiasts has led to the redrawing of the boundary of the Roman empire in south-west Britain.
Previously it had been thought that Ancient Rome’s influence did not stretch beyond Exeter but the find has resulted in a major archaeological dig that has unearthed more coins, a stretch of Roman road and the remnants of vessels from France and the Mediterranean once full of wine, olive oil and garum -- fish sauce.
The far south-west of Britain has long been seen as an area that clung to its independence but the discovery at Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot, 20 miles south-west of Exeter, has led to the conclusion that Roman influence was strongly felt here.
It is also fair to surmise that the Roman road probably did not stop at Ipplepen but would almost certainly have carried on towards the modern town of Totnes and possibly even further south and west.
Danielle Wootton, the Devon finds liaison officer, said she was intrigued when the metal detectorists Jim Wills and Dennis Hewings told her about the Roman coins they had found in the Ipplepen paddocks...
A geophysical survey was commissioned, which revealed the presence of ring ditches, which are associated with iron age roundhouses -- and the Roman road...
The conclusion is that the road was probably built by the Roman army in the 50s AD and improved and restored over the next 300 years. Probably as interesting as the road are the pieces of pottery that continue to be unearthed almost every day.
There are ordinary, coarse sherds that would have come from everyday cooking pots and bowls. But there are also pieces of "samian ware" ...
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Archaeologists working on the site at Ipplepen. Photograph: University of Exeter
Cool!
I own some Roman coins. Does that mean the Roman Empire held sway over Cody, Wyoming or does it just mean someone here has/had some Roman coins?
I have some Canadian coins. The Canadian empire must have included South Carolina.
What an interesting find-it seems that anytime remnants of that horrible fish sauce is found, Romans were almost certainly there...
Probably so, must have been popular of course, but more of an acquired taste.
:’) If you find a Roman road while putting in a flower garden, we’ll have a GGG topic about it right away.
Some local Brit might have had the coins, but I can’t imagine anyone but the Romans would be putting garum/fish sauce on their food-the modern version made in the Far East is bad enough-the smell alone could make a hungry bear puke...
The Romans made a downpayment on the Medicine Wheel, but couldn’t find their way back.
The Romans in Ireland
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1173950/posts
So what have the Romans ever done for us?
Ireland’s links with the Roman empire are being investigated in a new archaeological project in which science plays a large part
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2897613/posts
The Lowly Amphora (and ancient contact across the oceans)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3295687/posts
Romans In Brazil During The Second Third Century?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1038045/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1248340/posts
Ancient Romans In Texas?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/665767/posts
The Roman Head From Tecaxic-Calixtlahuaca, Mexico: A Review Of The Evidence
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1304316/posts
Do you have a Canadian Road? Poor choice of headline.
We keep fish sauce around the house. We have some great Asian recipes that are just not the same without it. I bottle goes a long way though since the flavor and aroma can be overpowering if not used in small does.
Few years ago a Papyrus was found somewhere in England bearing several names. Interesting that a few names were Greek, others Latin, and others Celtic.
Roman Britain was just like any other province in the Empire.
I also have roman coins. However I don't have remnants of a roman road or roman vessels on my property and they do at this site.
But I still feel my claim to the imperial throne is strong.
The only place further south and west of Devon is Cornwall, so that is really getting close to Lands End which is a real place at the tip of the Cornwall peninsula.
As for those who comment upon how foul Garum fish sauce is, remember this is ANCIENT Rome, no refrigeration and it was the only common ‘spice’! If your meat is already slightly rotting, and its your only meal, Garum is probably a good thing because you are used to it and so don’t mind the meat is bad as well.
Perspective!
Many claimants and actual occupiers of the Roman Imperium, had less than happy endings. This does not take into account their bodyguards, food tasters and other servant life expectancies. [grin!]
Do you speak of Mắm nam? My eyes water at the thought.
I wonder if they developed fish sauce on their own (the Romans) or learned it from some unknown far east contact?
That was the first thing that struck me about the article.
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