Roman Gloucester
Gloucester was founded by the Romans in 96-98 AD and was one of the four colonia established in Britain (the others are Lincoln, Colchester, and York). It was known as Colonia Nervia Glevensium, or Glevum.
Little of the original Roman walls remain, but much of the circuit, along with the main roads, is preserved in the present street pattern. Remains of Roman walls can be seen in three places:
- On Eastgate Street, outside of the Boots store (visible from the street and via an underground chamber)
- Below the pavement in King's Walk shopping precinct
- In the City Museum in Brunswick Street
Other Roman remains include fragments of mosaic in the National Westminster Bank, Eastgate Street; in Eastgate Market Hall; and the crypt of the Friends' Meeting House, Crypt Lane. A large burial ground lies to the north of the city.
The City Museum on Brunswick Road holds many finds from excavations in Gloucester.
- Timothy Darvill, Paul Stamper, and Jane Timby, Oxford Archaeological Guide to England (2002).
