Digging for Roman clues

Nov 22 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A DIG due to start in Newcastle next month may help solve a Roman mystery.

In February, trial archaeological trenches on the site of Newcastle University’s new music building uncovered Roman pottery.

“It was a surprise as there has been no previous evidence of Roman occupation such a long way from the fort at Newcastle,” said Richard Annis, project director at Durham University’s Archaeological Services.

The Roman fort is located under the Castle Keep in Newcastle, and in August, Richard and his team excavated remains of its civilian settlement and cemetery at nearby Clavering Place.

Excavations will resume on the site in January.

Trial trenching has also uncovered medieval remains on Newcastle University’s campus near Percy Street, which at that time would have been a main road north out of the New Gate at Newcastle.

One theory is that medieval buildings were going up to escape crowded conditions inside Newcastle’s town walls, and to serve travellers using the road north.

It is hoped that the dig, which starts on December 1 on the university’s Herschel and Haymarket car parks, will produce more evidence.

The dig is in advance of building work on the university’s £50m INTO building, which will provide accommodation and teaching facilities for foreign students.

Another archaeological survey of the site for the new Medical Sciences building at the university also revealed evidence of a waterwheel pit and millrace from the late 18th Century, when the site was occupied by a snuff mill designed by eminent civil engineer John Smeaton.

Development work on the Great North Museum site opposite the university has uncovered an 18th Century well.

Further examination of a Roman woman’s stone coffin uncovered at the Clavering Place dig has produced jet beads to match a jet hair pin discovered earlier.