The Washington times., 1913-11-25
UNCOVER ANCIENT Z |
TOWN IN ENGLAND
Uriconium, Roman Settlement,
Yields Secrets Of Centuries
Departed.

LONDON, Nov. 2&-Archaeologists are
intensely interested In the old Roman
city of Uriconium, which Is being un-
covered in Shropshire soil. The excava-
ton has already yielded results Of ex-
traordinary interest, and II Is believed
will greatly add to the knowledge Of
Britain's occupancy by the Romans
Uriconium was situated at the juno
ton of the principal Roman roads. one
from London. in the southeast, another
passing from Church Stretton through
the legendary borders of Caerleon, In
South Wales There were also other
roads leading from II to Chester. Wales,
and the town undoubtedly formed an
important center in Roman Britain.
The most important discoveries yes
made I'm connection with the excava-
ton work are. according to fecenf
report, as follows:
The circuit of the city measured about
three miles, and they inclosed an area
of I9G acres-tfiat Is, about twenty
acres larger than. Pompeii-
About half the public baths ana tnd
basilica, or town hall. OF the city nave
been uncovered. the latter an imposins
building with a nave fioored with tiles
in herring-bons fashion. and the aisies
with geometrical patterns in mosaic IL
Is about the same length as the oasilica
at Pompeii. but slightly narrower.
Part of the cemetery has also oeen aug
out, and some interesting tornbstones
and other objects found. also Tour
houses, evidently large shops. with por-
ticoes on the street and dwelling rooms
at the back.
pie measuring about ninety-hve feet by
fifty-five feet, the entrance OF whicn
was under portico of six columns IL
must have been fine structure: as
mary well-worked architectural fras-
ments came from IL. Portions OF sew
eral statues, the head of a horse in
stone and parts Of two affairs were found
in it.
The excavators are now uncovering
large building with a portico on the
street cf IFS feet. This building has al
ready been traced back zoe feet IL con-
tanned many rooms, some with rougn
mosaic pavemerts and others WITH ce-
ment floors Four rooms nad. hypo-
causts, or hot-air heating apparatus. In
the courtyard was large wen, built OK
massive blocks of stone.
while digging out these buildings IN
teresting objects in silver, bronze. iron,
ivory, bone, Jet, glass. and other ma
, teriaIs have been found. Among the
most noteworthy are an amethyst gem
engraved with a figure Of Venus.
bronze disk, with the device, in diner-
ent colored ennmels. of an eagle holding
fish; an ivory clasp knife handle In
the form of crouching lioness. and a
small cameo of a ladys head; also
many brooches. rings etc
A large amount Of pottery. much OF
IL Samiap ware, was imported into this
country from France and Germany. The
coins found numbered about 100 and
range from the Republican period-thst
is. before % B. C., to the Emperor Theo-
dosius I (38S-32 A. Do. There are a
large number of coins of the last half
of the fourth century.
That the site was occupied soon after
! tho Claudian invasion in 43 A. D., is
shown by two tombstones of soldiers OF
The XIV Legion. This legion came over
with Claudius and left Britain for good
in 20 A. d. The absence of certain SYM
bols on both tombstones point to a dafe
rathnr before than after the year 30
A. d.