Archaeologists discovered an industrial center from the Roman Empire era in Great Britain
In Northern England, archaeologists, along with students and volunteers, have discovered over 800 whetstones, indicating the existence of a previously unknown industrial center from the Roman Empire era, reports The Guardian.
Photo: Gary Bankhead/Durham University
The discovery was made near the city of Sunderland. The stones were likely used by soldiers for sharpening tools and weapons. All discovered whetstones were damaged — perfect stones were likely exported for sale.
Archaeologists believe that this was a mass production center for whetstones made from sandstone quarried on the banks of the River Wear. The stones could have been transported by river on vessels and further distributed across the British Isles and to the continent. Supporting this hypothesis is the discovery of 11 stone anchors — the largest number compared to any other site in Northern Europe.
Project leader Gary Bankhead from Durham University notes that the discovery for the first time puts Sunderland on the map of the Roman Empire and is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Northern England in the last hundred years.
This site is also the first in Great Britain where rock was purposefully quarried for the production of whetstones, which will help to better understand the economy and industry of Roman Britain.
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Comments
Vialiki frahmient toj ściany zachavaŭsia dasiul, kala 3 mili. Vysata jaho ciapier niejdzie 1 mietar, i šyryni toj niama, a farty tyja bačny tolki padmurkami. Da taho miesca voziać naviedvalnikaŭ, i ja pabyvaŭ tam, jašče ŭ junačym uzroście...
Što cikava, ziemli tam daŭno fiermierskija, spadčynnyja, staryja, a ŭsie haspadarčyja pabudovy, i navat aharodžy, vykananyja z kamiania toj ściany...:))
To bok, tamtejšyja, ciaham doŭhaha času, prosta raściahali tuju ścianu pa kamienčyku, uładkoŭvajučy svaje sialiby dy aŭčarni...:))
Nu, dyk jakaja vysnova ? Zrazumieła ž, u rymski čas tam byŭ pramysłovy center, dzie i ciasali toje kamiennie, inakš jak by rymlianie pabudavali b tuju abarončuju ścianu ? A dzie rabili takuju spravu, tam i samyja roznyja pryłady pad jaje vyrabliali, niešta i vastryć patrabavalasia adpaviedna... Čamu heta siensacyja ? U čym adkryccio ? Čamu "yпершыню ставіць Сандэрленд на карту Рымскай імперыі" ? Čamu niekaha dzivić toj fakt, što tam "мэтанакіравана здабывалі пароду для вытворчасці вастрыльных камянёў" ?