Fen Causeway facts for kids
The Fen Causeway (also known as the Fen Road) is the modern name for an ancient Roman road in England. This important road stretched for about 24 miles (39 km) across the flat, marshy lands of the Fens. It connected Denver, Norfolk in the east to Peterborough in the west.
Along its path, the Fen Causeway passed through places like March and Eldernell (near Whittlesey). Near Peterborough, it joined a major Roman road called Ermine Street. This connection was vital because it linked the north and west of England to East Anglia, helping people and goods move around the Roman Empire.
What Was the Fen Causeway?
The Fen Causeway was built by the Romans to help them control and travel through Britain. It was one of many roads they built across the country. These roads were like the highways of their time, making it easier for soldiers, traders, and officials to get from one place to another.
The Fen Causeway was especially important because it crossed the Fens, a large area of very flat, low-lying land that was often flooded and marshy. Building a road here was a big challenge!
How Was This Roman Road Built?
To build the Fen Causeway across the wet fens, the Romans had to be very clever. They raised the road above the marshy ground. They did this by using lots of gravel and other materials to create a raised path, almost like a long, low bridge.
This raised road was quite wide, up to 60 feet (18 meters) in some places. This allowed plenty of space for carts, soldiers, and people traveling on foot. Building such a strong and wide road in a marshy area showed how skilled Roman engineers were.
Where Can You See It Today?
Near its western end, the Fen Causeway runs very close to an even older route. This older path was used during the Bronze Age (a time long before the Romans) across a place called Flag Fen.
Today, Flag Fen is an archaeological site that you can visit. At this site, you can actually see a cross-section of the Roman road. This means you can look at the different layers of material the Romans used to build the Fen Causeway, giving you a real glimpse into ancient engineering!
