ROME: Funding boost to unearth Carlisle’s Roman past

ROME: A project to unearth more of
Carlisle’s Roman history is to go ahead after a Heritage Lottery funding boost.

The remains of a bath house were uncovered in 2017
during work to move Carlisle Cricket Club’s pavilion that was damaged during
Storm Desmond.

The
£99,900 grant will enable a 28-day excavation at the site in Stanwix, involving
local volunteers and professional archaeologists.

There
will also be an 18-month programme of exhibitions and events.

‘Great fillip’

Stanwix
is the site of the largest fort on Hadrian’s Wall, and finds from the excavation
in 2017 suggest Carlisle was, for a period of time, the centre of the imperial
court.

Carlisle
City Council leader John Mallinson said: “We have a rich Roman history and
we’re delighted that this funding will enable us to discover even more about
Carlisle’s past.

“This
will be very much a community project and we’ll be asking for volunteers to
sign up to take part in the archaeological dig.”

Michael
Rayson, chairman of Carlisle Cricket Club, said: “We are elated that the
Roman archaeology site on our grounds is to be revisited.

“This
will be a great fillip for the city of Carlisle.”