A historic city in the UK known for its Roman and medieval heritage was reportedly the centre of the Roman Empire. The rainy Cumbrian city of Carlisle, which is a stone’s throw away from the Scottish border was the seat of power for one of the world’s greatest civilisations, archaeologists have claimed.
The excavation that continued for six years revealed it was once home to an Imperial Bath House, built for the Roman emperor Septimius Severus while he was staying in the city around the turn of the third century AD.
Wherever the Roman emperor resided became the heart of the empire.
Archaeologists recently uncovered the largest building along Hadrian’s Wall—an ancient bathhouse in Carlisle, thought to be linked to Emperor Severus.
Evidence includes 34 tiles marked “IMP” (Imperial court) and monumental sculptures found on-site.
In 2023, life-sized heads believed to depict gods or emperors were discovered, along with a rare purple dye, reserved for Roman rulers.
The drains yielded a treasure trove, including amethysts and jasper, likely lost by bathers in the heat, reinforcing the significance of the site.
The team of archaeologists, including historian and presenter Professor Alice Roberts, believe the emperor was in Carlisle shortly before his death in 211 CE, based on an ancient text called Historia Augusta.
Professor Roberts told MailOnline: “I love archaeology like this – turning up completely unexpected discoveries.
“And here we have this brilliant association of archaeology with a specific moment in history – when Septimius Severus and his entourage were in town, in Carlisle, at the northwest frontier of the Empire.
“But of course those attempts to subjugate Caledonia would ultimately fail.”
Archaeologist Frank Giecco from Wardell Armstrong Archaeology added: “The north of England would have been the centre of the Roman Empire.”
Mr Giecco and the team began excavating the cricket ground in 2017 before it was moved to higher ground following flooding in 2005 and 2015.
Carlisle’s surprising new status was revealed in full during an episode of Digging For Britain, presented by Professor Roberts, earlier this year.