Caistor Roman Project: Summer Excavation 2025 at Venta Icenorum
About CRP
Founded in 2009, Caistor Roman Project is a community archaeology group dedicated to exploring Venta Icenorum (Caistor Roman Town) in Norfolk.
The site first became known in 1929 when aerial photos revealed cropmarks tracing a Roman forum, baths and temples hidden beneath Norfolk fields. Originally, this town was thought to have been a military base built to pacify the Iceni after Boudica’s revolt (c.60/61 AD).
A New Narrative
Recent excavations suggest a more complex past: Venta Icenorum appears to have been protected from the early 2nd century by a massive triple‑ditch defensive perimeter. These ditches may predate the town’s walls and offer insights into the earliest layout and inhabitants.
This Summer’s Mission
- We will explore the triple‑ditch, located behind Caistor Hall Hotel, to enrich our understanding of how Venta Icenorum grew from its defensive origins.
- We’ll also investigate a previously identified 'hot‑spot' southwest of the 2023 pottery kiln, to probe the extent of Roman industrial activity in this area.
Why Attend
- See archaeology happening in real time at one of Britain’s Roman regional capitals
- Get a detailed guided tour to explain the new discoveries and see new finds
- Discover how newer interpretations challenge old assumptions about Caistor’s origins
- Witness the physical remains that rewrite Venta Icenorum’s early history
