A WIDER picture is emerging of life in Roman Ravenglass thanks to a community archaeology project. 

A military fort, with perhaps 600 soldiers, was supported by a civilian community - called a vicus - with a similar number of people. 

The Romans in Ravenglass project took place in 2013 and 2014, including trial pits and an extended geophysical survey. 

Project work was led by the York Archaeological Trust. 

Excavations showed evidence of iron working on a large scale. 

There was waste slag from turning iron ore into iron and evidence of iron smelting. 

Also found, was evidence of glass working and cereal processing. 

Traces of roadside buildings were found which were of a timber construction on stone sill walls. 

Clay and slate roofing material was also found. 

The period of occupation on the site looks to be from the later second century to the third century. 

Muncaster kilns provided much of the pottery on the Ravenglass site but some came from the South Coast and the West Midlands. 

The Ravenglass auxiliary fort had barrack blocks and administrative buildings. 

This site is best known for the remains of its bath house, which looks to have been served by a single small stream. 

You can see a film about the post-excavation work on the Lake District National Park Authority website. 

It can be found at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/news/projects/rir