Archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA) have completed one of the largest excavations of a Roman cemetery in Britain – providing unique evidence of funerary practices along the northern outskirts of the Roman Empire.
The site, associated with the Roman fort and settlement at Brougham, was investigated as part of the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project.
The cemetery lies close to the empire’s northern limits and was already known to archaeologists following limited excavations carried out during roadworks in the 1960s.
The latest study unearthed hundreds of graves, which included inhumation burials and cremation burials – the latter being prevalent with ash pits and pyre sites; cremated remains placed directly into the ground, and in deposits within ceramic urns, wooden boxes, or stone-lined cists.
Some cremations were modest, while others were elaborately furnished with grave goods, including pottery, glass vessels, bronze items, jewellery, and occasional pieces of military equipment and weaponry.
The excavation methodology for each burial was indicative of the fragility and complexity of the remains. Fine tools were used to remove soil in graded layers, and all deposits were retained for wet sieving through which small artefacts and fragments of cremated bone could be obtained.
Laboratory analysis has proven critical to the project. Cremation vessels were excavated in controlled conditions in 2 cm layers, allowing specialists to record the precise location of bone fragments and associated materials.
Osteoarchaeological analysis has enabled researchers to identify age, sex, and evidence of disease in some individuals, while the presence of burnt metal and glass indicates objects placed on the funeral pyre alongside the deceased. Other vessels contained no bone and are interpreted as symbolic offerings, possibly once holding food or perishable goods.
Among the most notable finds are complete glass cups, decorated pottery, samian ware with maker’s marks, and rare carved fragments of animal bone used as decorative inlays. A black burnished jar produced in Dorset highlights long-distance supply networks and possible military procurement systems operating in northern Britain.
Sources : OCA
