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Petuaria Revisited – Looking for a lost Roman theatre.

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Project Description

In 1937 a stone inscription dedicating a proscaenium (stage) by aedile M. Ulpius Januarius in the 140s AD, was found during excavations in the Burrs (then known as Bozzes Field) led by Philip Corder. Since then there has been much discussion amongst archaeologists concerning the exact whereabouts of the theatre and the character of Roman Brough itself. Ground Penetrating Radar surveys conducted by David Staveley in November 2018 and April 2019, of the Burrs playing field, under the auspices of the community based Petuaria ReVisited project (https://www.facebook.com/petuaria/) of which the applicant is Archaeological Director, revealed a regular pattern of roadways and buildings, including a D shaped anomaly in the south-west corner. It is highly likely that this is the lost theatre or perhaps a council chamber containing a stage and cavea (theatre-like tiered seating). We hope to “ground-prove” this exciting and highly significant discovery in a two-week excavation to coincide with the CBA Festival of Archaeology and the second Petuaria ReVisited Roman Day in July 2020.

Status Project Complete
Value £4,450.00
Project Dates Feb 1, 2020 - Jan 31, 2021
Partner Organisations No Partners

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