Caersws (often termed Caersws II to distinguish it from an earlier nearby Flavian fort) is an auxiliary fort situated on the floodplain of the upper Severn at the confluence with the Carno, occupying a strategic node in mid-Wales. Established c. AD 75–80 during the Flavian conquest of the Ordovices, it was garrisoned into the 2nd century and saw renewed occupation in the later Roman period, covering roughly 3 hectares — appropriate to a quingenary auxiliary unit.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
The fort controlled the principal east–west routes through central Wales, linking Wroxeter (Viroconium) with the Cambrian interior and the coast, and acted as a road junction with branches running south to the Caerphilly basin via Castell Collen and north toward Pennal/Brithdir. Its longevity and the development of a substantial extramural vicus suggest it functioned as a regional military-administrative hub rather than a short-lived campaign base.
Excavations from the late 19th century onward, including work by Putnam and later by Britnell and others, have revealed the defensive circuit, timber and later stone gates, internal barrack and granary buildings, and an extensive vicus with strip-buildings, industrial debris (including iron-working), and a possible mansio. Finds of tile stamps, coins extending into the 4th century, and inscribed material indicate sustained occupation, though the identity of the garrison
Caersws (often termed Caersws II to distinguish it from an earlier nearby Flavian fort) is an auxiliary fort situated on the floodplain of the upper Severn at the confluence with the Carno, occupying a strategic node in mid-Wales. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fort site from the Roman period in Britain.
Caersws is classified as a Roman fort — a military site in the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer. Roman Britain's archaeology encompasses thousands of sites ranging from legionary fortresses and marching camps to villas, temples and towns.
Several Roman sites lie within a short distance, including Llwyn-y-Brain (1.3 km), ‘Lavobrinta’? (19 km), Brompton Roman fort (21.5 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
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