Around 120 AD the Romans constructed the 'Pons Aelius', the first bridge to cross the River Tyne. A wooden fort was then built to protect the river crossing. It was situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the bridge. You can see a 3D reconstruction of the Pons Aelius bridge and Roman fort here. Pons Aelius is last mentioned in AD400, in the Notitia Dignitatum, a Roman document listing all of the Roman military outposts.
At some point during the Anglo-Saxon era, the site of Newcastle became known as Monkchester and a cemetery was established on the site of the Roman fort. In 1080 William I's son Robert Curthose began the building of a 'New Castle' where the Pons Aelius fort once stood. It was this castle that gave Newcastle its name. No trace of the Norman castle remains today. Henry II replaced it with a rectangular stone keep. The Castle Keep and Blackgate can be visited today.
Brigantium, near Rochester, Northumberland in Newcastle, was once the ancient Roman city of Gallaecia, forming part of the kingdom of King Cottius. Thus the area is rich with Roman remains. Brigatium is famous for its coal-mining traditions. The Romans burned and excavated coal in the region and by the 13th century, mines were well-established along the River Tyne. The area also holds a reconstructed Roman fort which shows the remains of an important part of Roman-British life.
The discovery of the London Mithraeum was made during rebuilding works carried out in the City of London in 1954. There was great public interest in the ruins on their discovery, with 80,000 visitors flocking to see the site. Public demand meant the ruins were preserved in a site opposite the street, where they were tilted at 90 degrees to fit in the space so building work could continue.
The site today hangs in the balance with a development of Walbrook Square first being delayed, then cancelled due to the economic recession. The remains of the London Mithraeum were due to be moved back to their original position and showcased inside a new building designed by Sir Norman Foster.
A Mithraeum is a place of worship for the followers of the mystery religion of Mithraism. The Mithraeum was either an adapted natural cave or cavern or an artificial building imitating a cavern. Mithraea were dark and windowless, even if they were not actually located in a cave.
The Carrawburgh Mithraeum lies south-west of the Roman fort at Carrawburgh, Brocolitia. The site of the temple was first discovered in 1949 and was excavated in 1950 by Sir Ian Richmond and Mr J.P.Gillam.
Located in Colchester is the first English Augustinian priory church known as St Botolph's Priory. The church was founded in 1110 by the Anglo-Saxon community minister of Colchester. The former exterior plaster has weathered away, revealing the flints and reused Roman bricks of which the priory was constructed. However, the church remains an impressive example of early Norman architecture with circular pillars and large round arches. The church holds a large library and many miraculous relics dating back to the 11th century.
Discovered in southeastern Turkey, north of the town Sanliurfa, is a hilltop santuary known as Göbekli Tepe. The santuary was erected on the hilltop by hunter-gatherers in the 10th millenium BC, and is thought to be the oldest human-made place of worship yet discovered. The discovery of the temple uncovered massive carved stones about 11,000 years old, crafted and arranged by prehistoric people who had not yet developed metal tools or even pottery. The oldest layer dates back to the Mesolithic period and the massive sequence of rock layers suggests that several millennia of activity has taken place.
The Temple of Claudius otherwise known as the Temple of the Deified Claudius, was built in the ancient city of Camulodunum, which was Roman Colchester around the time 44 AD. Claudius was the fourth Roman Emperor, ruling from 41 AD until 54 AD. The temple was set on fire during Queen Boudicca's uprising of 60 AD. During this siege, most of the Roman city of Camulodunum was destroyed in the fire. Today layers of ash are still being discovered under the surface where the ancient city once stood. Colchester, ancient Camulodunum was the first capital of Roman Britain and holds the remains of some of the most famous Roman buildings.
This Roman church in Colchester dates back to the 4th century AD and is believed to have been founded in 320 AD. This is just a few years after Christianity was adopted by the Emperor Constantine in 313AD. Therefore, this Roman church is thought to be the earliest known Christian church in Britain. Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain and beneath the Roman Castle are the remains of the most famous Roman buildings, including the Temple of Claudius, the Roman Wall and the remains of the Roman Theatre.
A small area of what once was a Roman Threatre still remains in the city of Colchester. The theatre used to hold a capacity of 3000 people. The theatre was damaged in the destruction of Colchester by Boudicca in 60 AD when the Queen sacked the city. This foundation dating back to Roman Britain is the only example of a Roman theatre left in England. Colchester was the first capital of Roman Britain and beneath the Roman Castle are the remains of the most famous Roman buildings, including the Temple of Claudius, the Roman Wall and the remians of this Roman Theatre.
The Holy Trinity Church in Colchester is the oldest surviving church building in the city. Parts of the church tower are dated back to around 1050 during the Anglo-Saxon period, and it is believed that the site may have held an earlier church building. The building features triangle arches, basket windows and reused Roman bricks. The church was once used as Colchester's Social History Museum, however today the building is unconsecrated.
