Lunt Roman Fort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lunt Roman Fort |
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| Baginton, Warwickshire | |
The reconstructed main gatehouse as seen from inside the fort.
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| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Partially reconstructed |
The Lunt Roman Fort is an old Roman fort in Roman Britain, which is what the Romans called Britain. We don't know its original name. You can visit it today in Baginton, a village near Coventry.
Archaeologists have dug up the whole fort and rebuilt parts of it. The wooden main gate was rebuilt by archaeologist Margaret Rylatt. She used the same tools and methods that Roman army engineers would have used long ago. In 2001, items from the Anglo Saxon period were also found here.
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Where is the Lunt Roman Fort Located?
The fort is built on a high spot. Just north of the fort, there's a big, steep hill that goes down to the River Sowe. From the top of this hill, you can see for about 2.5 miles (4 km) across the land to the north. This made it a great place for the Romans to watch for enemies.
History of the Roman Fort
Archaeologists have found that the Lunt Fort was used four different times. Each time was during periods when there was fighting or trouble in Roman Britain.
First Use: Supply Base for Boudica's Revolt
The fort was first built around 60 AD. This was during the time of the famous Boudica rebellion. The fort was likely used as a place to store supplies and as a main base for a Roman army group. This group was probably involved in the final battles against Boudica.
Second Use: Cavalry Base with a Unique Gyrus
From 64 AD, a smaller Roman army unit called a cohort used the fort. They made the fort smaller. During this time, archaeologists found parts of the main headquarters building (called the principia), the commander's house (the praetorium), two large grain storage buildings, and six barracks where soldiers slept.
Many horse items, like fittings for saddles, were found. There was also a large area for working with metal. This suggests that a cavalry unit, which is an army unit with horses, was stationed here. This second period of use lasted until about 77 or 78 AD.
What is a Gyrus?
One very special part of the Lunt Fort is a circular area called a "gyrus." This gyrus is the only one ever found in the entire Roman Empire! It was added to the fort during its second period of use.
The gyrus is a large circle, about 32 meters (105 feet) across. The ground inside it was dug out to be about 60 to 90 centimeters (2 to 3 feet) deep. A wooden fence surrounded the area. This unique ring was likely used for training horses.
Having the gyrus inside the fort made the fort's shape unusual. Most Roman forts were shaped like a playing card, with straight sides. But the Lunt Fort's eastern wall curves around the gyrus. This makes the Lunt Fort truly one-of-a-kind, not just in Britain, but in the whole Roman Empire!
Later Uses and Discoveries
The fort was used again around 77 or 78 AD. During this time, a double ditch system was built around it. There was also a gate with two openings on the south side. People lived outside the fort's walls until it was no longer used.
After 260 AD, the fort might have been used for a short time again. This was possibly during a time when a rebel group called the Gallic Empire was in power. This idea comes from a single coin found at the fort that dates to the time of Emperor Gallienus (260–268 AD). However, the coin might have just been lost there much later.
Archaeology and Preservation
The site was first discovered in the 1930s when many pieces of Roman pottery were found. In the 1960s, Brian Hobley, an archaeologist from Coventry Museum, started a long project. He wanted to dig up the fort and also study how Roman camps were built. His work showed that the fort was used during three different periods.
In the 1970s, some parts of the fort were rebuilt exactly where the original buildings stood. These include a section of the wall, a main gate (designed like images from Trajan's column), one of the three granaries, and the gyrus.
In 2001, a team of students found a piece of Roman pottery called Samian ware. They also found a coin with Nero's head on it, dating from 65 AD. Other interesting finds include a ring with a palm leaf etched into it. This design was a symbol of victory and was often worn by successful gladiators.
Evidence of Anglo Saxon settlement was also found in 2001. Later discoveries show that people lived here in the Middle Ages too. These include large post holes and a ditch filled with pottery from after the Roman period.
The Lunt Roman Fort is open to the public. Schools can visit, and there are organized tours. Many people have also joined holiday excavation trips here to help dig and learn.
