Caister-on-Sea Roman fort was built around AD 200 as a base for a unit of the Roman army and navy. It was occupied until the end of the 4th century, when Roman forces were withdrawn from Britain.
The fort occupied a small island on the north side of a large estuary, where the rivers Ant, Bure, Yare and Waveney entered the sea. The rivers were important routes into East Anglia, where Roman and native people lived in towns, settlements and farms. The most important was a large town at Caistor-by-Norwich, about 25 miles from Caister-on-Sea. The estuary of Roman times is now mostly dry land occupied by Great Yarmouth.
Sometime after AD 260 another fort was built on the opposite side of the estuary at Burgh Castle. Both forts served to protect merchant ships in the estuary and supported military operations. One of these forts is known to have been called Gariannonum.
Part of the fort defences and a building inside the fort, were revealed between 1951 and 1955 during archaeological excavations.
Sources
Gurney, D 1996. 'The Saxon Shore in Norfolk', in Margeson, A, Ayers, B, and Heywood, S (eds), 'A Festival of Norfolk Archaeology', Norwich: Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society
Anon 2002. 'Outposts of the Roman Empire: a guide to Norfolk's Roman forts at Burgh Castle, Caister-on-Sea and Brancaster', Norwich: Norfolk Archaeological Trust
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The text and pictures on this page are derived from the 'Heritage Unlocked' series of guidebooks published in 2004. We intend to review, update and enhance the content in the near future as part of the Portico project, whose objective is to provide information on the history, significance, research background and sources for all English Heritage properties.
