Cockermouth dig reveals remains of ancient community

The nine-strong team has discovered evidence of a Roman foundry, marching camp and small village, said landowner Bob Slack.

An archaeologist does scale drawings on the site (Image: Newsquest)

Members of the public will be invited on to the site off Low Road, beside the River Derwent, in coming weeks.

It is also hoped that Cockermouth School pupils with an interest in history and archaeology may get involved with the excavation.

Eddie Dougherty works on an area thought to be a Roman marching camp (Image: Newsquest)

The Ecus team, from Barnard Castle, was called in by Mr Slack who is keen to put some flood defences in the area.

"Planning will be subject to an archaeological dig so hopefully by arranging the dig it will speed up the process when applying for planning permission from Allerdale Borough Council," said Mr Slack.

A geographical survey of the eight to 10 acre site was carried out to identify what is underground and which areas to excavate.

Archaeologists work on one of the four areas (Image: Newsquest)

Mechanical diggers were then brought in to remove the top and sub soil.

Since then archaeologists have been meticulously examining four areas.

"There was a partial excavation done in the past and they came across quite a lot then," said Bob.

"This time they have found a foundry area, where they used to make swords and wagon wheels.

"They have also found an amphitheatre or horse training centre - or a combination of both.

"There is also an area where the service people for the Roman fort lived, like a small village."

Bob Slack and Eddie Dougherty beside a stone wall thought to be part of a marching camp and from the 2nd or 3rd century (Image: Newsquest)

Archaeological supervisor Eddie Dougherty and his team will spend up to nine weeks excavating four areas.

They have unearthed a section of stone wall thought to be part of a marching camp and from the 2nd or 3rd century.

The team will create three types of record: drawn, photographic and written/ digital.

They have been working in all weathers - including snow, torrential rain and biting winds.

"We are working by hand, it's labour intensive and painstaking," said Mr Dougherty.

"Extreme flooding in the past has exposed some things and destroyed others.

"We will record it in the archives for future generations."

Mr Slack, who owns The Fitz, on Low Road, said: "I was aware from previous digs that there were things here of interest - and also from when these fields have flooded "The floods of 2009 unearthed quite a lot.

"It's good to be recording history for the future."

In 2016 the oldest coin in Cumbria (283BC) was found on a dig at The Fitz, he said.

"We intend to have an open evening so the archaeologists can show people what they have found," he said.

"We are also talking to Cockermouth School and, now the site is safe, it is hoped some pupils will be able to come down and maybe help if they wish."

Once everything has been recorded the area will be covered with soil and reseeded.

The land is in a flood zone so cannot be developed. Mr Slack has planning permission for 27 homes adjacent to the Lovells development on Low Road. The plan is to start building some time next year, he said.