Beyond the Town Walls
Recent Developments at Venta Icenorum
On Saturday 13th June we are excited to welcome back Mike Pinner who is the Research Coordinator for the Caistor Roman Project, having previously been the Chair of the project for several years.
Venta Icenorum – Caistor St. Edmunds – has been known as an impressive Roman site since first coming to public attention in 1929 following the publication of an aerial photograph showing the crop marks of streets and buildings surrounded by ramparts.
Classification of this site as a small provincial town was largely fixed until comparatively recently when fresh excavations; in conjunction with community archaeology and the use of modern technology revealed a much more complex and extensive picture of the city beyond the walls.
Mike will describe how understanding the site has moved on since last he came to see us in February 2018 and the value of citizen archaeology in harnessing the interest of members of the public who allowed widespread test-pitting to add invaluable new data to substantially extend the known area of the city. This work is ongoing and further features are still being revealed.
We’re meeting at Needham Village Hall, High Road, Needham, IP20 9LB on Saturday June 13th at 2.00pm. All welcome, admission £3.00. The usual refreshments will be available.
Images courtesy of Caistor Roman Project.
