A VAST stretch of one of Britain’s first Roman roads has been uncovered in the depths of a forest. The 1,900-year-old highway was constructed to run from London to Exeter and experts believe it was intended to show the might of the Roman Empire.
The road, which is 85ft wide and stands on 15ft earthworks, has deep ditches on either side. Forestry Commission staff had been aware that it existed but because it was so densely covered by trees, they were unable to find it.
They called in Peter Addison, from English Heritage, who located the section and was stunned by its scale. The Norway Spruce fir trees in Puddletown Forest, in Dorset, were cleared and the size of the half-a-mile long excavation is now there for all to see.
Mr Addison said it is the biggest Roman road he has come across and that it was designed to make a statement. While more research needs to be done on the road, it is thought that it might be from the first century, shortly after the Roman invasion.
If it was built in the early days of the occupancy, its scale would have been chosen to intimidate the locals. The road has a central cobbled “street”, which would have been used for rapid troop movements, and outer “droving” roads for livestock, as well as ditches for water drainage.
Mr Addison said: “It is absolutely huge and unlike anything I have ever seen. Here you have a large road with huge ditches either side. It is thought this was a road made early in the occupation and not used for long. If so, then it would have been incredibly impressive to the locals.”
The Forestry Commission says the areas will not be replanted and it is thought the road will be grassed over.
Author: Geoff Maynard | Source: Express/UK [February 05, 2011]