We Dig Derventio - 2025
We Dig Derventio – 2025 explored Roman history beneath Derby. Just outside the city centre lies Little Chester, once the site of the Roman town of Derventio. During the 2025 season, we investigated how people lived there nearly 2,000 years ago, building on previous discoveries.
What Is Derventio?
Derventio was a town beside the River Derwent, in what is now the north-east part of Derby. It is around one kilometre from today’s city centre.
Archaeologists have uncovered a wide range of remains in the surrounding area. These include parts of the Roman town, an underfloor heating system known as a hypocaust at Parker’s Piece, and evidence of industry and burials near Derby Racecourse. The Roman road known as Ryknield Street also runs through Darley Playing Fields, showing this was once a busy area.
Across the river at Strutt’s Park, an earlier Roman fort stood between AD 49 and 80.
The later town was established nearby, first by earthworks (reshaping the land for construction) and later by a stone wall. The settlement continued to grow and change over the next few hundred years.
What did we do?
In 2025, we returned to the site to learn more about the civilian settlement, or vicus, that developed alongside the fort. The excavation focused on land to the east of the fort and walled town, close to Ryknield Street.
Working with Derby City Museums, the project aimed to better understand who lived in this area, what they did for work, and how the town developed over time. Each discovery added to our understanding of everyday life in Roman Derby.
What’s the Plan Now?
We’re returning to this area to learn more – especially about the civilian town, or vicus, that initially grew up alongside the soldiers’ fort. This new excavation focuses on land just east of the fort and walled town, close to Ryknield Street.
Working with Derby City Museums, we hope to discover who lived here, what they did for work, and how the town developed over time. Each new find helps us better understand everyday life in Roman Derby.
Taking Part
The 2025 excavation included a training dig for local students and members of the public curious about archaeology. Participants gained hands-on experience, taking part in excavation, recording, and finds processing under the guidance of professional archaeologists.
Participants learned a range of archaeological skills, including careful excavation techniques, recording discoveries, identifying Roman pottery, and examining bones and artefacts. They also had the opportunity to try methods such as metal detecting and surveying.
By taking part, participants helped investigate and protect an important part of Derby’s history. It also provided an opportunity to learn more about the amazing work that museums do to care for and share this knowledge.