The Excavations:

• The Fort
• • The Fort Defences
  • The Barracks
  • The Officer's House
  • The Workshops
  • The Granaries
  • The Rubbish Dump
  • The Bath House
• The Vicus
• • The Houses & Workshops
  • The Guest House
  • The Market or Temple
  • The Yard
  • The Pottery Shop

The Excavations:

Where was Lagentium?
Castleford was known to be the site of a Roman fort called Lagentium, but only archaeological excavations could prove for certain where it was. Archaeologists have clearly identified not just a Roman fort, but also a vicus (or civilian settlement) outside the fort.

The fort
The fort was next to the main Roman road, close to the river crossing. The Roman army needed to transport troops and supplies safely along the road. Forts were built at strategic points along the road so the army could keep the route safe from enemies.

The vicus
The civilian settlement outside a fort is called a vicus. Local craft-workers and traders came to live in the vicus so they could sell goods and services to the Roman army. The soldiers’ families also lived in the vicus. The Castleford vicus was just outside the fort next to the main Roman road.