Archaeological dig returns to Roman bathhouse

Jonny ManningBBC News, North East and Cumbria
News imageChloe Brownlee-Chapman A group of volunteers in yellow hi-vis jackets standing in the dig site. They are wearing hi vis jackets and are holding a Cumberland flag.Chloe Brownlee-Chapman
A dig is taking place at Carlisle Cricket Club

Archaeologists are hoping to excavate an unexplored section of a Roman bathhouse.

A dig at Carlisle Cricket Club has uncovered a number of finds since work began in 2021.

Volunteers are now being asked to take part in a new excavation in the hope of exposing the eastern edge of the building and revealing its true size.

Frank Giecco, who runs the site, said: "This dig is very small and very short, but we’d love for visitors to come down and see what we’re doing."

Mr Giecco said the size and scale of the building was "still a bit of a mystery".

"It’s great to be looking in an area that’s mostly not been explored before to try and answer some more questions about the site," he said.

He added the archaeologists hoped to return in autumn and next year to carry out further digs.

News imageCumberland Council A volunteer at a dig site holding up an Imperial tile. Two workers are excavating part of the site containing an ancient wall behind them.Cumberland Council
Excavations have uncovered coins, hair pins and tiles

So far, volunteers at the site have uncovered more than 3,000 significant finds including 600 Roman coins, 800 hair pins, stamped tiles and 70 carved gemstones called intaglios.

The new dig started on Tuesday and will run until Saturday, with a temporary exhibition at Carlisle Tourist Information Centre.

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