Ebook: Excavations at Segontium (Caernarfon) Roman Fort, 1975-1979

With contributions by Lindsay Allason-Jones, Denise Allen, J. C. N. Coulston, Brenda Dickinson, John Evans, Kay Hartley, Martin Henig, Michael Heyworth, M. F. Howells, Anthony King, David Marchant, Martin Millett, Barbara Noddle, Sandra Nye, T. P. O'Connor, Roger Tomlin, Peter Webster, and Kate Wilson.

The report describes the excavations carried out in the south east quarter of the fort of Segontium (Caernarfon) in Gwynedd, North Wales. Approximately 2,000 square metres were explored by area excavation to natural sub soil levels.

The 2.27 hectare fort was erected in the governorship of Gnaeus Iulius Agricola (AD 77-83). The original garrison was either a cohors milliaria peditata or two cohortes quingennariae peditatae.

Timber barrack blocks of three structural phases were examined dating from the late Flavian to the Trajanic periods and plans of significant parts of these structures were obtained. Between the second and third barrack phases the praetentura was cleared of buildings and a heavy fence erected across the east-west axis of the site approximately half way between the southern rampart and the via principalis.

A study of the coin sequence indicates that military occupation extended beyond the reign of Magnus Maximus; the withdrawal of the garrison may be associated with troop movements initiated by the magister militum Arbogastes during the short lived revolt of Eugenius.

Specialist reports discuss the full sequence of coarse pottery, Samian, glass, coins, metal objects, slags, and environmental remains. The site is considered in the context of Wales from the 1st to 4th centuries and within the historical framework of the Roman world at all periods. Special emphasis is placed on problems of military supply and consumption of both organic and inorganic material.