11-24-2015, 10:24 AM
(11-24-2015, 08:12 AM)John1 Wrote: What are those massive 1st/2nd century memorial mounds (largest North of the Alps) doing in the bottom of a valley on the line between Cambrdge and Colchester?
Don't know, but they certainly weren't mass graves for battlefield casualties!
"...a rich collection of grave goods, all dated to the late 1st and 2nd century AD, was found. Imported vessels and organic remains such as flower petals and incense evoke the funerary feast and reflect the wealth and status of the people buried here. The dead were cremated and placed into large wooden chests or brick chambers, which appear to have been lit by iron lamps."
Bartlow Hills Roman Burial
Somewhere closer to Colchester, I'd say, would be preferable. I tend to think that Cerialis had almost arrived at the city, but then discovered it had fallen. He mustered his troops for battle but his infantry were quickly overwhelmed by enemy numbers; he and cavalry escaped back inside his marching camp fortifications and later managed to slip away and join Paulinus.
But, of course, we know very little about any of this. As John says, the battle was somewhere between A and B - that's it!
Nathan Ross