Another significant archaeological discovery has been unearthed at Carlisle’s Roman Bathhouse site in the Cricket Club grounds.
In preparation for the dig opening to volunteers and the public from this Saturday (21 September) the site has been opened up again revealing another carved stone Roman head.
The artefact was found today (Thursday, 19 September) while exploring part of a newly discovered, monumental Roman building, south of the bathhouse.
It was in the same place as an urn discovered in July which contained the cremated remains of a young woman.
This stone head is 18cm x 13cm, has been much more delicately carved and is more detailed than the previous two monumental heads discovered at the site in 2023.
At about a third of size of the previous monumental heads, it resembles a more Classical Roman style of sculpture. Not much is yet confirmed but it is thought to be of a woman, it has been found in the area of a possible burial ground, and the woman has a very particular hairstyle reminiscent of the kind worn by the Empress Julia Domna who popularised the style, which would indicate a date contemporary with the bathhouse.
The award-winning community archaeological dig, Uncovering Roman Carlisle aims to discover more of the remaining mysteries of the site. The dig will be held between Saturday 21 September and Sunday 20 October, Monday to Saturday of each week.
The autumn excavation will once again be able to provide free and easy access opportunities for Cumberland residents to take part in archaeology and heritage, or for groups, schools, and individuals to visit a live archaeological excavation.
It hopes to expand understanding of the south of the site, where the Roman cremation urn was discovered on the last day of the excavations in June. It will also further explore the sheer size of the bathhouse, which is yet to be confirmed.
Tours of the site will be held between 10am and 3pm each day, groups over ten are encouraged to contact URC through the new website and make a booking, but smaller groups or individuals can just walk up. Schools and education groups are encouraged to visit the site - with more than 1,200 engaging with the URC education programme so far in 2024.
More information and how to book as a volunteer can be found at the Uncovering Roman Carlisle website: Https://www.uncoveringromancarlisle.co.uk
Uncovering Roman Carlisle has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Wardell Armstrong LLP alongside Cumberland Council, Tullie, and Carlisle Cricket Club have worked together to promote the site and would like to get as many people to visit in this incredible project as possible.
The funding aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. The project will allow members of the public to take part in the community excavation or visit free of charge.
Frank Giecco, Technical Director at Wardell Armstrong, said:
“Through support from Cumberland Council with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, we were able to come back to the site again this year and we couldn’t turn down the chance to welcome more volunteers, and to continue to explore more of what is becoming one of the most significant sites on the Roman frontier.
“The building is now estimated at 50m x 60m. We have an added mystery too with what was going on to the south of the Roman road, and the discovery of this beautifully carved and detailed Roman woman’s head. There was a large building we discovered, with military finds, two intact beakers (probably funeral offerings), a lot of animal bones, and a Roman cremation urn, which was discovered while straightening up a trench at the end of the last phase.
“I cannot emphasise how astounded we are by the discoveries from this site, the amount, the quality, and how unique so many of them are. So many people have given their time, both professional archaeologists and scientists, and also local residence and together we’re piecing together a fascinating and internationally important place here in Carlisle. We have called it a bathhouse but it’s more than that, it’s a leisure centre, an HQ, and more. It resembles a Thermae, a collection of different offices, religious and social spaces, leisure, and administrative rooms.
“I am always so proud of what we have been able to achieve and of all the ongoing public support that the diggers, the public, and academic community, have contributed and continues to give so much. Come and visit, or if you’re able to join in and help build Carlisle Roman story.”
It is the largest known building on Hadrian’s Wall, with more than 4000 significant finds. Five thousand people visited in May/June 2024, with more than 300 volunteers joining in between May and June this year to help.
Hundreds of volunteers have been offered over 3,000 volunteer places in past phases of the project since 2021. URC has so far won four awards, three archaeological achievement awards from the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) and an award from the Society for Museum Archaeology for the 2023 exhibition. URC featured on the most recent series of Digging for Britain with Dr Alice Roberts. URC will feature in the 2024 series of Great Railway Journeys, promoting Carlisle.
Discoveries by The Diggers has been essential in uncovering over 4000 significant finds.
These finds are evidence that Carlisle has a very high status monumental building, with a connection to the Roman Imperial family.
Among these discoveries are; over 700 Roman coins from centuries of occupation. A large amount of painted wall plaster, military finds (such as arrow heads, spear tips, and parts of swords and daggers), 400+ hair pins, Imperial stamped tiles (tiles literally fit for an emperor), North African style vaulting tubes for roof construction, hundreds of stunning glass beads, gaming pieces, even a rare Roman doll’s foot.
Significantly, 70 intaglios have been discovered in the drains. These are magnificently carved gemstones which dropped from Roman signet rings when the glue holding them melted in the bathhouse heat. In 2023, a sample of Tyrian Purple – a type of very expensive purple dye used for the clothes of the Roman Imperial Family, or in high status buildings was discovered, providing strong evidence for an Imperial connection. Two monumental and unique carved stone heads discovered by a volunteer on their first ever excavation. Recently in May – June 2024, the foundations for a possible monumental building were discovered to the south of a Roman road where a Roman cremation urn was discovered.
Hundreds of volunteers have already contributed to the dig. Limited spaces are available for volunteers. No prior experience in archaeology is needed, just enthusiasm in learning about Carlisle’s past. Find out more at: Https://www.uncoveringromancarlisle.co.uk