Saham Toney

Marching or Temporary Camp and Probable Settlement

The site near Saham Toney has long been known as an important British settlement, it lies on the Peddlars Way and is on a small flat plateau measuring about 250 by 200 yards and covering an area of just over 10 acres, overlooking a stream on the north side of what appears to be a large native settlement with continuing occupation into Roman times. A local resident, Robin Brown, has been watching these sites for some years, especially after ploughing, and picked up a number of objects from the surface. Many of these have cavalry associations, but there are also pieces of legionary equipment. A military establishment was probably sited here near a large native community, rather than in a position of strategic advantage.” (Webster, pp.135/6)

A hoard of bronze and iron-work recovered from the site, contained examples of horse-bronzes and other pieces of Roman design. The ancient trackway, the Peddlars Way passed through the Saham Toney site north to south. This road started from Colchester (Camulodunum) in the south, via the settlement at Ixworth, through Saham Toney northwards to the ferry-point over the Metaris Aestuarium (The Wash) near Hunstanton.

The Roman Military Camp

OS National Grid Reference: TF890000
Dimensions: c.750 x 600 ft (c.230 x 180 m)
Area: c.10¼ acres (c.4.2 ha)
Description: It is very likely that the original platform was occupied by a large temporary camp or fort, possibly dating to the Boudiccan revolt of 60/61AD.

References for Saham Toney

  • The Roman Invasion of Britain by Graham Webster (Batsford, London, 1993).

Map References for Saham Toney

NGRef: TF890000 OSMap: LR144; B20.

Roman Roads near Saham Toney

Peddlars Way: SSE (18) to Ixworth Peddlars Way: NNW (10) to Kempstone Peddlars Way: S (10) to Thetford Peddlars Way: S (18) to Sitomagvs

Sites near Saham Toney