Archaeologists to dig up secrets of Roman amphitheatre in Kent

Excavation to begin at Richborough, one of England’s most important Roman sites

PA Media

Sun 8 Mar 2020 20.01 EDT



Richborough Roman fort in Kent, with the site of the amphitheatre just visible top right. Photograph: English Heritage/PA


Archaeologists hope to unlock the story of an ancient amphitheatre by embarking on an excavation at one of England’s most important Roman sites.

The amphitheatre at Richborough, Kent, is part of Roman Britain’s longest-occupied site.

As a place for entertainment and spectacle, it once held wild animal hunts, executions and gladiatorial combat. Its origins, however, remain a mystery and English Heritage hopes to discover when it was built, what it looked like, more about how it was used and what happened when the Romans abandoned it.

To the naked eye, nothing is left of the amphitheatre apart from a mound in a field.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/09/archaeologists-hope-to-unearth-secrets-of-roman-amphitheatre-in-richborough-kent