Penydarren Roman Fort

Penydarren Roman Fort - awaiting inage

Partial remains of stone floors, bathhouse and Roman bricks from a 1st-century Roman auxiliary fort were discovered during the building of Penydarren House in 1786.

Workmen digging the foundations for the new house of iron master Samuel Homfrey at Penydarren uncovered Roman bricks and tesselated pavement.

Oddly, the remains were not recognised as part of a Roman fort until work on the nearby football pitch in 1902.

The fort covered an estimated 2.3ha and housed a garrison of at least 500 soldiers on a steep-sided site over the River Taf. Pottery found on the site suggests that the fort was established in the Flavian dynasty - between 69-96AD, and continued in use until around 140 AD.

Outside the fort remains of a bathhouse and cremated burial remains were discovered, suggesting that a sizeable settlement grew up around the site.

There is very little to see today, due to the encroaching housing estates and modern development.