UCL joins Cardiff University to unearth Caerleon’s Roman past

An archaeological excavation project co-directed by Dr Andrew Gardner (UCL Archaeology) and Dr Peter Guest from Cardiff University is taking place in Caerleon this summer. The project is an investigation of the remains of Isca, the Second Augustan Legion's permanent fortress in Britain. It has been made possible due to the generous support of Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment division, the National Roman Legion Museum, and the Caerleon community. The team will be excavating the remains of a monumental courtyard building - possibly Isca's main warehouse where the supplies and provision needed by soldiers in the fortress were stored. Work began on the site two years ago when a large rectangular area was dug to a depth of about 30 to 40 cms - just enough to reach the top of the Roman remains - but the site has been covered in polythene and soil ever since. The surveys and excavations are linked to a larger research project called Mapping Isca, examining the legionary fortress at Caerleon and its environs. The archaeology at Caerleon is unique in Britain and important for the entire Roman Empire.