Race to save Roman chariot racetrack

"Britain's only known Roman chariot-racing circuit, described as one of the most important sites in the country, risks being lost under a housing estate unless campaigners can raise the cash to preserve it in time.

Traces of the huge track were unearthed in 2004 by archaeologists in Colchester, once the capital of Roman Britain, in Essex, 90 kilometres north-east of London.

They discovered the elliptical track and key parts of the structure, which would have held rows of tiered stone seating, during a routine survey for builders seeking to redevelop a Victorian army barracks and associated garden.

"The circus in Colchester is the only one in Britain, so it's very rare," said Philip Crummy, director of Colchester Archaeological Trust, who found it."

www.abc.net.au...


I hope to the gods that they get their act together and preserve this monument for future generations.As it states in the quote,this is the only example of this type of circus in the United Kingdom.

Conserving this will not only provide a better insight into Colchester's time as an affluent town and garrison under the Pax Romana,but will provide more tourist dollars that Britain so sorely needs at the moment.

Perhaps the past could elevate some of the pain caused by the new Roman Empire.