Braughing (Roman town) facts for kids

Braughing was once a small town in Britannia, which was the name for Britain when the Romans ruled it. We don't know its original Roman name. It was an important place long ago!

Where Was Braughing?

Today, you can find parts of the ancient site near a small village called Ford Bridge. It's in the county of Hertfordshire, England. The old town was built right where the River Rib becomes easy to travel by boat. The River Rib flows into the River Lea.

Braughing Before the Romans

Long before the Romans arrived, people lived in Braughing during the late Iron Age. Archaeologists have found signs of their homes, like old ditches and fences. They also found coins from a king named Tasciovanus. He ruled a powerful tribe called the Catuvellauni. This shows that Braughing was already an important place.

A Roman Town Grows

After the Roman conquest of Britain, Braughing started to grow. It was built where two major Roman roads met. These roads were called Ermine Street and Stane Street. The town had two main areas where people lived. These were called Wickham Hill and Skeleton Green. Even though it was a town, it never had defensive walls. The Roman town covered a large area, about 36 hectares. That's like 50 football fields!

Buildings and Daily Life

The town had a planned layout with streets. At first, most buildings were made of wood with thatched roofs. These lasted until about AD 60. Later, people built stronger buildings using stone. One large L-shaped building even had its own bath suite. This building was used for a long time, possibly until the 4th century. It might have been an important government building or a market hall.

By the 2nd century, Braughing was a busy place. There were shops, homes, and workshops. People worked with iron, bronze, and bone. There was also a lot of pottery made nearby. The Skeleton Green area later became a cemetery. The last Roman coins found here are from the time of Arcadius, around AD 383 to 408.

Discovering the Past

Archaeologists dug up parts of Braughing between 1969 and 1973. Their work helped us learn a lot about this ancient Roman town.