Iscalis facts for kids
Iscalis was an ancient Roman settlement. Its exact location is a mystery today. Historians and archaeologists believe it was somewhere in the county of Somerset, England. An ancient geographer named Ptolemy wrote about Iscalis.
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Where Was Iscalis?
People have found several possible places for Iscalis. Each site has clues that suggest it might be the lost Roman town.
Gatcombe: A Roman Villa or Town?
One possible site is Gatcombe in Somerset. Romans lived here from the mid-1st century AD until at least the 5th century AD. This means they were there for about 400 years!
Archaeologists found coins from Roman emperors like Theodosius, Magnus Maximus, and Arcadius. These coins help date when people lived there. At first, it seemed like a large Roman country house, called a villa. But there are signs that Gatcombe might have been a much bigger place. It could have been a village or even a small town.
Charterhouse: A Mining Hub
Another strong candidate for Iscalis is Charterhouse Roman Town. This settlement grew near very old lead and silver mines. The Romans started digging for these valuable metals around AD 49.
Lead was very important to the Romans. They used it for pipes, roofs, and even coins. Silver was also used for money. Near Charterhouse, archaeologists found an amphitheatre. This was a large, open-air building where Romans watched shows and gladiator fights. It is the only amphitheatre in England found near a lead mine. This shows how important the Mendip Hills lead mines were to the Romans.
Other Ideas for Iscalis
Some people think Iscalis was at the mouth of the River Axe. This river flows into the Bristol Channel. Another idea is that the settlement was at Cheddar Palace. This site is known for its later Anglo-Saxon palace, but it might have had Roman roots too.
Why Is Iscalis Important?
Finding Iscalis would help us understand more about Roman life in Britain. It would show how Romans lived, worked, and built their communities. Each possible site gives us clues about Roman activities in Somerset. These include farming, mining, and trade.
