University of Exeter archaeologists have discovered a first century AD Roman fort in south east Cornwall that is only the third Roman fort ever to have been found in the county.
The latest find is next to St Andrew’s Church, at Calstock. ‘All three sites are close to mineral deposits in areas associated with tin mining’, says Dr Stephen Rippon of Exeter’s School of Geography, Archaeology and Earth Resources, ‘and this may be the significant factor in shedding light on the history of the Romans in Cornwall.’
Dr Rippon first became interested in the Calstock site after finding medieval documents referring to the smelting of silver ‘at the old castle’ and ‘next to the church’ in Calstock. A geophysical survey revealed the outline of a Roman fort. ‘I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw it’ said Dr Rippon: ‘It is so
