Unearthing Hidden History: The Surprising Roman Town Beneath Bishop’s Stortford

Every inch of British soil seems steeped in layers of history—from towering Norman castles to Victorian factories—but some of its most astonishing secrets lie buried beneath our feet, waiting quietly to be uncovered. In the latest season of Digging for Britain, archaeologists take viewers on a fascinating journey through the south of England, revealing how modern technology and good old-fashioned trowel work continue to rewrite our understanding of the past.

One of the most astonishing discoveries this year unfolded in the unlikely setting of Bishop’s Stortford, a market town nestled just 22 miles south of Cambridge. What started as a routine archaeological survey ahead of a leisure center upgrade revealed something few could have anticipated: the remains of a substantial Roman settlement, possibly even a previously unknown Roman town.

A Town with a Hidden Past

Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having just 29 households, Bishop’s Stortford is today a thriving commuter town. Its pre-Norman history, however, remained largely mysterious—until now.

The clue that led archaeologists to this site was a stretch of Stane Street, an ancient Roman road that once linked the prominent Roman cities of St Albans (Verulamium) and Colchester (Camulodunum). As was typical of Roman infrastructure, roads like these often had settlements, waystations, and small towns sprouting along their route to support travelers, trade, and military movement. And yet, despite Stane Street cutting directly through the area, there had been little evidence of a significant Roman presence—until this dig.

Unexpected Finds and Temple Mysteries

The team from Oxford Archaeology, brought in to investigate ahead of development, quickly found signs that the Roman footprint here was far more significant than anyone had imagined.

Among the first major revelations: the foundations of a stone structure, possibly a temple. County archaeologist Greer Dewdney explained, “We are now starting to think that it is possible this was a religious site, which adds another reason why people would have stopped here during their travels.”

Alongside the ancient road, which still shows the neatly laid Roman paving stones from 2,000 years ago, the team uncovered a wealth of personal Roman artifacts: coins, pottery, animal bones, and decorative objects, all hinting at a vibrant and busy community.

One of the standout items found was a copper alloy lion’s head fitting—in pristine condition and something more typical of a museum display than a muddy field in Hertfordshire. Dig supervisor Neil Mason was awed by the discovery, stating, “Initially we thought it was modern, just because it’s in such good shape. But no, it’s Roman—and it’s stunning.”

A Cemetery Full of Clues

The scale of the Roman presence became even clearer when archaeologists expanded their excavation and uncovered a large burial ground.

“We were expecting around 20 to 30 graves,” said one team member. “We ended up with around 60 to 70.” The site included several well-preserved skeletons, pottery grave goods, and even a Roman grave marker—a rare find that often helps provide clues about the individual’s identity, status, and beliefs.

This cemetery, along with the temple-like structure and the density of personal objects, strongly suggested a significant Roman settlement—one that had not been previously documented.

The Bigger Picture Emerges

As the excavation progressed, the team turned to satellite imagery and aerial crop marks, which revealed something even more astonishing: the Roman settlement was far more extensive than what was visible on the ground.

In a visit to the Digging for Britain tent, project manager Andy Greef presented a new site plan overlaid with ghostlike crop mark images. “These marks show the outlines of buried structures—walls, roads, and ditches—and they confirm that the Roman town extended well beyond the area we’ve been digging,” he said.

This discovery has national significance. The existence of an undocumented Roman town along one of Britain’s most important Roman roads suggests the area was far more urbanized and economically active than previously thought. It also raises important questions: Why was this settlement forgotten? What role did it play in Roman Britain? And how many more such sites might still be hidden under modern towns?

Wealth and Fashion in Roman Stortford

Another fascinating aspect of the excavation was the quality of Roman adornments recovered—especially the variety and intricacy of brooches and jewelry.

“These costume fittings are incredibly ornate,” said Greef. “We’re talking about well-dressed, possibly upper-class Roman citizens living in this town.” Some of the brooches were enameled, others made from copper alloys with detailed engraving, indicating both affluence and style.

The finds paint a picture of a cosmopolitan and connected Roman settlement, trading across the empire and perhaps serving as a regional hub for travelers and merchants moving between major cities.

A New Chapter in Britain’s Roman Story

The Bishop’s Stortford dig serves as a thrilling reminder that Britain’s Roman story is still far from complete. For centuries, scholars believed they had mapped the key Roman towns, forts, and cities. But this excavation shows that even thriving, modern towns might be sitting atop long-forgotten layers of Roman life.

Perhaps even more exciting is the realization that many of these stories have yet to be told. With continued development, advances in satellite imaging, and tools like ground-penetrating radar, more such hidden chapters are sure to emerge.

The Legacy of Digging

As Digging for Britain returns to our screens, it reaffirms archaeology’s enduring role not just in preserving the past, but in changing the present. Discoveries like the one at Bishop’s Stortford add detail and nuance to the grand story of Britain—revealing not just battles and empires, but the lives of ordinary people, their hopes, their homes, and their final resting places.

And beneath our modern world—beneath roads, schools, parks, and yes, even leisure centers—the silent traces of those lives still wait to be found.

Conclusion

From a vision of a forgotten temple to the quiet revelation of Roman skeletons, Bishop’s Stortford has suddenly emerged as one of Britain’s most significant Roman sites. And who knows—perhaps in your own town, beneath a car park or a quiet woodland trail, the next missing piece of Britain’s vast archaeological jigsaw lies waiting.

Full video: