ARCHAEOLOGICAL investigations near Dumfries have revealed new insight into the Roman Army’s occupation of southern Scotland during the second century AD.
Artefacts discovered include an iron javelin head (possible evidence of the military character of Roman occupation) the remains of a Roman boot, samian pottery and fragments of Roman tiles.
Simon Brassey, of Scottish Water’s specialist environmental engineering team, said, “The discoveries at Wellington Bridge near Kirkton were made during works carried out by Scottish Water to lay new water mains in the area. Heritage specialists GUARD Archaeology were called in to monitor the excavations. Despite having to work in narrow trenches, the team recovered an array of artefacts that have all the hallmarks of Roman occupation in the area more than 1,850 years ago. It is fascinating for everyone involved to make this kind of discovery when working on a project such as the laying of new pipes.”
Warren Bailie, of GUARD Archaeology, added, “This new assemblage of artefacts provides additional evidence to that recovered in 1939, during an earlier excavation, which first revealed that Carzield Roman Fort was built during the Roman campaign of c. AD 139-143.”
