Remains of Roman military fort discovered

September 26, 2019 - Archaeologists working on the redevelopment of Exeter’s bus station uncovered the remains of a Roman fort.

The find was described by an archaeology expert as “very important and completely unexpected.”

The discovery was made by the Exeter Office of Cotswold Archaeology who were working with Kier Construction to record remains of the city’s Roman history ahead of the construction of a new bus station and leisure complex.

The finds included coins and local pottery made in the area for the military, as well as fine red Samian tableware imported from France.

First to be uncovered was a Roman ditch at the top end of the site between Bampfylde Street and Cheeke Street. Further excavations revealed two further large Roman ditches running parallel to each other.

Experts revealed that these belonged to a new, and completely unknown, Roman military site, either a fort occupied by a military unit, or a defended depot or compound.