ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered pottery, animal bones and ancient roads during the biggest Roman excavation undertaken in Monmouth.
Expert Steve Clarke,68 and his team from Monmouth Archeaology have spent four months excavating several trenches during a road works scheme to replace gas mains.
The finds provide further evidence of what is believed to be one of the oldest forts in Wales, 25 years older than the fort at Caerleon.
Mr Clarke, MBE, said items dating from pre-Norman times to the Medieval era, as well as mid first Century Roman bowls made in Gaul (France) during the First and Second Centuries, are among those found in St John’s Street, Agincourt Street, Glendower Street Almshouse Street, Granville Street and Wyebridge Street.
"We found vessels made in the Severn Valley area during the First Century AD and amphorae (ceramic storage vessels) made in Spain used to export fish sauce," said Mr Clarke.
Two lost streets, made using iron slags from Roman and Medieval furnaces were uncovered more than a metre below ground in Almshouse Street and Wyebridge Street.
"A medieval road below the modern Almshouse Street was found to have sealed earlier medieval and Roman remains while the most exciting medieval feature was what appeared to be a cess pit," said Mr Clarke.
The pit, which was sealed by one of the earlier roads, contained medieval pottery and preserved organic remains.
"The extent and shape of how the town looked is coming together as a result of the finds.
"We found hundreds of pieces of pottery which will take months to examine and archive with the help of specialists," he added.
Author: Kath Skellon | Source: South Wales Argus [October 26, 2010]