Life on the edge of Rome's empire

May 9 2005 By Tony Henderson, The Journal

Visitors can step back in time 10,000 years

Visitors can take a walk through 10,000 years of Redesdale history at the Brigantium archaeological reconstruction site in Rochester.

The centre has been created by Lord Redesdale, who studied archaeology at Newcastle University.

An Iron Age roundhouse has been built, based on a settlement excavated at nearby Woolaw.

That consisted of four stone-built roundhouses in a rectangular area enclosed by a stone wall.

The Brigantium structure is currently the only stone-built roundhouse in Britain.

A mixture of clay, straw and water was used to make wattle for the inside wall, which is draught- proof and also reflects the heat from the central hearth.

A rocky outcrop on the site has been used to demonstrate a hunter-gatherer rock shelter and also a rock cavity shrine which was found at nearby Yardhope on the Otterburn military range.

An image of a warrior god, holding a spear and shield, which was carved into the rock at Yardhope, has been replicated. The site also includes re-constructions of an early Bronze Age burial cairn, excavated at Dour Hill in the area, cup and ring carvings, a four-poster stone circle, Roman graves, a section of cobbled Roman road, and a dowsing trail.

A willow maze is in the process of growing and will be opened in July.

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How to get there

Brigantium is on the A68 at Rochester, north of Otterburn.

There is a café and the site is open until around 5pm daily. Admission is £2.50 adults, £1.50 children and concessions, £7 family. Telephone (01830) 520-801.

Bremenium is a short walk over fields from Brigantium. It can also be reached by car via the minor road which leaves the A68 on the edge of Rochester village.