AMAZING FINDS AT CARLISLE DIG REVEALED AFTER A DECADE
The findings of an internationally important archaeological dig have been revealed after more than 10 years. The dig, which took place in the grounds of Carlisle Castle in 1999, uncovered 80,000 Roman artefacts and gave a glimpse into what life was like almost 2,000 years ago.
A 936 page report into the Millennium dig has now been published, detailing the 80,000 artefacts uncovered, and what they reveal about Roman life in the city.
Among the discoveries was articulated armour never before found in the UK. And fragments of mirrors, razors and combs suggest the 500 soldiers who lived in the fort on the site from 72AD took pride in their appearance.
A picture of everyday life emerges, with finds showing how they hunted deer on a regular basis (270 bones were found), ate mutton rather than lamb (the sheep bones were too old to be a young animal) and played a Roman version of draughts - ludus latrunculorum - as 12 black and white glass counters were found.
The archaeologists dug five trenches and unearthed a huge quantity of pottery, armour and weapons.
But the most surprising finds were wooden remains. These normally rot away, but because of the waterlogged soil, 2,000 pieces of timber were discovered.
Tim Padley, keeper of Archaeology at Tullie House said "it built up a fascinating picture of an army arriving in the back of beyond"