The March of the Romans: Chepstow's Ancient Crossing and its Fascinating History

Discover the fascinating story of past Roman legions and modern-day archaeology with Simon Maddison. Doors and bar opens at 7pm. Tickets from £5 andcan be booked at bit.ly/452RXcm or www.ticketsource/lwvbpt

Roman legions entered Wales in AD 48 establishing, by AD 75, impressive military bases and forts at Caerleon, Caerwent and Y Gaer. Bridges and roads were key links in the Roman defensive and economic network enabling swift movement in their suppression of Britons - particularly those ferocious Celts, the Silurians.

In 2023 the Chepstow Archaeological Society (CAS) successfully excavated a timber structure at the spring low tide mark, on the line of an ancient crossing of the Wye near Chepstow Castle. Radiocarbon tests on one timber sample, gave dates of the 1st Century AD, showing the structure to be consistent with being Roman. A further excavation took place at a super low tide event in July 2024 where more of the structure was exposed and detailed measurements made. This work forms the core of our exploration of the Roman Crossing, including work on possible approach roads on either side of the river and up to Tintern.

Simon Maddison, Chair of CAS and Honorary Research Fellow, University College London, has been leading this project and will present an up-to-date summary of these very exciting results.

You may also like the following events from The Lower Wye Valley Building Preservation Trust:

• This Sunday, 23rd November, 10:30 am, Coppicing and Clearing St Mary's Churchyard in Lydney