Excavation of Carlisle Roman bathhouse uncovers a connection between the site and a third-century Roman emperor

By chris September 28, 2021 Archaeology 0 Comments

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Excavation of Carlisle Roman bathhouse uncovers a connection between the site and a third-century Roman emperor

An archaeological survey at the Carlisle Cricket Club’s Edenside ground has discovered the remains of an extraordinarily important Roman bathhouse and dozens of artifacts.

**The letters “IMP” stand for imperator, meaning the tile maker was “supplying tiles fit for the emperor” or “on the emperor’s demands.”**

Tiles with a Roman imperial stamp were uncovered by archaeologists and volunteers which indicate a link to Septimius Severus.

Lead archaeologist, Frank Giecco, said the “evidence is building up” of “something really special” in the area.

Other finds include Samian ware pottery and an iron signet ring.

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“The Romans would quite often stamp their tiles. The legions would stamp tiles, the auxiliaries would stamp tiles; but this is the very top of the pile.

**Volunteers and professional archaeologists are collaborating on the excavation.**

“This is the imperial court stamping the tile. There has been a handful found in Carlisle at random places.

We have probably got a dozen now from this site and it looks like this is where they are coming from.

“It’s not a legion or anyone else - this is the signature of the emperor. I can’t say that Septimius Severus ever set foot in Carlisle. Who knows.

All we can say is that we have got a huge, monumental building that has been built in Carlisle.

“The emperor was in Britain at that time, we’ve got an inscription from his wife in the building and we have got his personal workshop-stamped tiles coming from the building,” Mr Giecco added.

**A silver ring with a twisted band, Samian ware pottery and an animal paw print Roman tile have also been discovered**

Dr Dot Boughton from Tullie House museum said the tilery effectively says they are “supplying tiles fit for the emperor” or “on the emperor’s demands”.