Digging

At various points along the route of the planned A66 upgrading project there is archaeological work going on. As the A66 follows the route of a major Roman road there are hopes that much will be found to further our understanding of Roman life. The current phase of this work is focused on several places, including at Brougham.

This afternoon, on our way back from seeing ‘The Salt Path’ at Rheged, we stopped at the Brougham site. It was interesting talking to the two guys who were just packing up for the day. One of them explained what they had been doing and where the work will go next. He also told us where to go to get a good view.

We walked to the top of the road and were amazed by what we saw. These are the foundations that have been excavated - foundations of roads and buildings. It is assumed that this was the vicus or settlement that supported the fort at Brougham. The fort was where the castle is now (you can see it in the distance). Brougham was a very important centre where roads met and of course there was the river crossing.

Exciting stuff. Things have been found and there is obviously much more to be found.