Description
A survey of the evidence of early human occupation in the district before the arrival of the Romans is followed by a brief history of their conquest, their occupation of the north of England and the construction of a network of roads and forts by governor Agricola around AD79. A chapter on Roman roads focuses on the road from Chester to York which passed through Saddleworth. Its method of construction, alignments and the survey techniques used by the Romans are described and detailed section maps of its route through the district are included. Archaeological excavations of the road are also described.
The two Roman forts at Castleshaw are explored in detail, from their first discovery and mapping in the eighteenth century through to the Victorian excavations by local amateurs in the 1890s and the series of professional investigations that have followed since then. What these excavations tell us about the forts, their occupants and their purpose are presented in detail and brilliantly illustrated. A following chapter describes investigations proving the existence of a short term civilian settlement adjacent to the forts and surmises about the positioning of an as yet undiscovered bath house and cemetery.
Roman finds both in the Castleshaw fort area and in other parts of Saddleworth are listed and illustrated, and the significance of a number of stamped tiles found at Castleshaw, possibly indicating the origins of the Roman forces stationed at Castleshaw, discussed. Finally the case for Rigodonum being the Roman name for Castleshaw is argued. The book includes a Glossary and extensive Bibliography.
