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Explore the Histories of Northamptonshire Interactive Timeline

Roman and Early Medieval

43 to 1066 CE

The Romans bring a new culture, towns and roads, whilst the later settlements by Anglo-Saxon peoples evolve into the early medieval communities that are first called Northamptonshire.

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Roman 43 - 410 CE

Inscribed Roman Tile with Magical Symbols

An inscribed stone tile found at Towcester dates to the Roman period. The symbols are not Latin or Greek but may be magical symbols.

Roman stone tile with inscribed symbols © NMAG
Roman 45 - 65 CE

Roman Lucet

A lucet was used to make braids and cords. Found at a Roman military site this is the earliest example found in Britain or Europe.

Roman lucet from Orton Waterville (formerly part of Northamptonshire and Soke of Peterborough) © Peterborough Museum
Early Roman

Roman Mosaic Floor Fragment

This fragment of Roman mosaic flooring is on display in Daventry Museum. It is part of a larger decorative floor, discovered in 1823 on Borough Hill, Daventry by historian George Baker, with a full excavation carried out in 1852 by Beriah Botfield, MP.

Roman mosaic fragment
late 2nd centuary

Roman Pots from Irchester

These Roman pots, of varying styles, were excvated in 2023 and 2024 at the site of the Roman town of Irchester, near to Wellingborough.

Roman pottery vessels © ARC
Roman 200 - 300 CE

Roman Grafitti Tile

Marked with the personal name of its maker, this tile is evidence of Roman industry in Northamptonshire as well as local literacy.

Roman pottery tile marked with maker's name © NMAG
200 - 399 CE

Roman Horse and Rider Statuette

A bronze statuette of a horse and rider. This object is probably a votive or religious object left at the site of a Roman shrine.

Solid Roman bronze horse and rider statuette, possibly a votive offering. © NMAG
3rd century

Mediterranean marble used as decorative inlays on luxurious Roman furniture

These marble pieces were excavated at the Roman villa at Piddington, from a third or fourth century rubbish heap.

pieces of decorative marble from Piddington Roman villa © UNAS
Roman 325 CE

Wootton Coin Hoard

Containing over 1900 coins this Roman hoard was found in Wootton Fields. They were buried during the later Roman period in a black pot.

Roman coin hoard buried in Wootton Fields, Northampton. © NMAG