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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 fort

When was the fort built?
The archaeologists found that there had been two different forts built at Castleford. The first fort was built in about AD 71. This was just about the time that the Romans began their conquest of the north of England. The Roman army stayed for about 15 years and then left in about AD 86. After a short break the army built a second fort in AD 86. This fort was occupied for about 14 years until the garrison left again in about AD 100.

What did the fort look like?
The excavations did not reveal much evidence of the first fort but the plan of the second fort was much clearer. The Romans usually built their forts with similar plans, so the archaeologists had an idea of what to look for. The main buildings inside the fort should be barracks, offices, granaries, stables and workshops.

The fort annexe
Forts also often had extra space attached to the fort, which was also protected by a rampart. The annexe could be used for the parade ground and a safe camp-site for other army units travelling along the road.

Timeline: