On the Recent Discoveries in Excavating the Remains of the Ancient Roman Town of Uriconium

Abstract

The village of Wroxeter is rather more than five miles west from Shrewsbury, and occupies a little corner of the southern portion of the site of the ancient city of Uriconium, on the banks of the river Severn. This place was known for centuries to have been the site of an ancient city, from the many relics which the plough had turned up. Antiquarian research had corroborated these casual excavations; and from those researches it was evident that the ruined town was that mentioned by Roman writers, under the name of Uriconium. It stood at the junction of two roads, now known as the Watling Street Roads. The estate on which these vestiges have been found belongs to the Duke of Cleveland, and the excavations were commenced about a year and a half ago, with the concurrence and approval of the noble owner. Many difficulties, however, were thrown in the way by the tenant, but these have now been removed, and in addition to the two acres originally granted by the Duke, two others have been placed at the disposal of the excavators at a rent. The part already excavated lay a little to the east of the village, and it has resulted in most important discoveries. The site of the ancient town is marked distinctly by a mound covering the foundations of the Town wall, round the whole circuit of Wroxeter, and a large piece of a Roman wall was also visible near the centre of the town. The ...