The River Thames And Its Tributaries
Treasure Hunting magazine|February 2017

When the Romans arrived in the region we now call Wiltshire the rivers Thames and Churn met at a spot where embanked gravels reduced the depth of water and provided an easy fording place.

The River Thames And Its Tributaries

Site Hunting Along the Upper Thames

For strategic reasons, given the potentially hostile tribes on both banks, a crossing would have offered the army commanders opportunities to defend either side of the river in the event of an attack. Thus Cricklade (a Celtic name meaning ‘place of the ford’) became a Roman strong point while the main army pushed further upstream to besiege a major settlement of the Dobunni tribe and to build Corinium Dubonorum (Cirencester).

Those who remained at the ford would have soon appreciated the potential benefits of the land around Cricklade: abundant water for irrigation, rich alluvial soils in the river’s flood plain rendered lighter and easier to plough thanks to the gravel beds; easily winnable local stone for house-building and animal enclosures; and succulent winter-flooded grassland to feed livestock in springtime.

Villas and Roman field systems appeared in the landscape in a very short time, providing surplus crops and meat to supply the market in Corinium.

Given that only eight miles separated the ford from the major Roman settlement, it seems unthinkable that Roman engineers did not clear obstacles from the riverbed and provide a dam or two to raise water levels so that Corinium, which later became the second largest town in Britannia province, had a navigable link; not only with Cricklade, but also with Londinium straddling the Thames 80 miles downstream.

Unfortunately, from a detectorist’s point of view, huge swathes of land around Cricklade have, in the 20th and 21st century, become national nature reserves for the protection of rare plants (especially the snake’s head fritillary). Disturbance of the grass sward at those locations is absolutely forbidden.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2017-Ausgabe von Treasure Hunting magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2017-Ausgabe von Treasure Hunting magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS TREASURE HUNTING MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'
Treasure Hunting magazine

New Detector Network – ‘A Treasure Unearthed for Detectorists'

www.detectornetwork.com is a new online platform that has recently been launched for both beginners and experienced detectorists to share their finds, advice and learn even more about this exciting hobby.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2020
Only a Bit of Lead
Treasure Hunting magazine

Only a Bit of Lead

As in common with most people, when asked if they have found anything, the reply can often be “Oh, only a bit of lead.”

time-read
5 Minuten  |
September 2020
My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword
Treasure Hunting magazine

My Great Uncle Joseph's Anglo-Saxon Sword

My Great Uncle Joseph’s Anglo-Saxon Sword

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 2020
Roman Lead Ingot Update
Treasure Hunting magazine

Roman Lead Ingot Update

I would just like to update readers of Treasure Hunting magazine with some further information about the Roman lead ingot I found back in September 2019.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2020
The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

The Westbury Sub-Mendip Roman Hoard

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 2020
The Family Hoard
Treasure Hunting magazine

The Family Hoard

It was the end of the second week of the school summer holidays in 2019.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 2020
Remembering the 1970s
Treasure Hunting magazine

Remembering the 1970s

Remembering the 1970s

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
September 2020
No More Moon Boots?
Treasure Hunting magazine

No More Moon Boots?

In more than four decades of detecting, the weather and varying soil conditions have all had a huge influence on the level of my enjoyment of this noble hobby.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2020
My A-Z of Detecting
Treasure Hunting magazine

My A-Z of Detecting

Part 1: A-G

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
September 2020
Lost and Found?
Treasure Hunting magazine

Lost and Found?

There have been several instances over my long detecting career where, not only has it has been a delight to be able to help people who have lost things, but also a great thrill when such losses are returned to their owners. I have several memories of such occurrences.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 2020