Roman
remains (Duston)
Just after 44AD when the Romans invaded,
a settlement and possible fortress was formed in an area
of Duston, next to Sixfields and stretching as far out as
Wootton and up to the Thorpelands estate. This settlement
was detected in the 1800's by the discovery of pottery,
coins and bones from a Roman cemetary. In the early years
of 1900, from 1903 to 1908, various Roman findings came
to light, including a lead coffin, a Roman well and
followed by a Roman mausoleum.
The findings did not stop there. As recently as 1970, a
mosaic was discovered. From the Roman mausoleum was a
coffin made from Barnack limestone. Because of it's size
and weight, it would probably have been transported up
river to Duston. The mausoleum was found seven feet below
ground in a four foot thick walled enclosure.
Unfortunately, little is
known of the nature of this settlement but because of the
size of the villa remains, it is thought to have been a
central unit servicing other Roman provinces in the area.
Extensive ironstone quarrying in the 19th and 20th
century had destroyed much of the Roman town. The Roman
occupation lasted almost 400 years until the Saxon
invasions in 410AD.
A small bronze head of Lucius Verus, who ruled the Roman
empire jointly with Marcus Aurelius (between 161-169 AD)
was found at Duston around 1870. It was designed to be
attached to a ceremonial staff.