The A66 is today a busy road vital for the region’s economy but excavations just outside Penrith near Brougham Castle are uncovering, settlements, and artefacts, revealing how this modern crossing point was an important transport route buzzing with Roman life nearly 2,000 years ago.
The archaeological dig is happening as part of the A66 Northern TransPennine upgrade which is delivering vital improvements to road safety, traffic flow, and tourism access across northern England with the section between Scotch Corner and Penrith due to be upgraded to dual carriageway.
The Archaeological excavation taking place is shedding light on the Romans’ strategic use of the same route for trade, travel, and infrastructure nearly two thousand years ago.
Archaeologist have already uncovered part of a Roman settlement directly east of Brocavum roman fort.
The settlement includes large stones used as building footings, stone slabs acting as structural plinths, cobble surfaces (one of which included a Neolithic stone axe) and extraordinary artefacts! There are likely several phases of use and demolition within this area, which is yet to be untangled.
Excavations have also uncovered a collection of Roman artefacts, each offering a window into day to day life in the newly uncovered Roman community.
Among the standout discoveries is a Roman silver denarius of Caracalla, issued around AD 196, alongside heaps of pottery and ironwork. Some finds have been both surprising and personal, such as a tiny copper-alloy phallus, a traditional Roman charm for luck and protection, and a finger ring of the same metal.
One of the most striking discoveries is a blue intaglio – a small, carved gemstone – once used to seal letters and documents. Its design, engraved in reverse, would leave a perfect impression in wax, a practice common across Roman society.
This Saturday Oxford Cotswold Archaeology who are carrying out the Archeological work along the A66 for National Highways are opening up the past to the public giving people a chance to see a live excavation in action and some of the history of the area they have uncovered already.
The event in Saturday will allow people to get involved with hands-on activities for all ages. Meet the archaeologists uncovering history beneath your feet as part of A rare chance to explore where ancient roads meet modern highways
Those attending will get the opportunity be part of a rare moment where modern engineering and ancient archaeology meet, uncovering layers of time as the routeway is reshaped for the future.
To Discover where ancient and modern worlds intersect you will need to book one of the limited spaces available on Saturday Book online via this link
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