Fifty people attended The March Society’s talk given by Cambridgeshire Archaeologist Quinton Carroll on ‘Stonea camp, the Iceni and the Romans’.

Quinton took us on a fascinating journey through the Iron Age to beyond the Roman era and illustrated the effects they had in the Fens. Fenland was part of the Iceni territories with settlements and defences including Stonea and Wimblington Road.

In particular he told the story of Stonea and its hill fort. This was surrounded by almost inaccessible marshland. Evidence of several other hill forts in the region indicates a line of defences built to protect from potential marauders.

Relations of the local Iceni tribe with the Romans were generally good until the Icenis wanted to take the land from the Romans.

Eventually, in AD47, the Iceni tribe, famously led by Boudicca, revolted against Emperor Nero and the Roman army.

Although Boudicca was defeated (how and where she died still remains a mystery) a more conciliatory Roman attitude towards Britain emerged as a result.

It is thought that the Romans built the Stonea camp because the Romans viewed the Fens as being vital to their defences.

Surveys and excavations have confirmed that the Romans built a great tower on the Stonea site and started up industries such as pottery, salt production, fishing, meat and agriculture in the wider Fenland area.

There were Roman settlements near Bullock Road, Car Dyke Waterbeach, Flaggrass March near the Roman causeway, Littleport, Langwood Chatteris.

After the Romans departed, the area again became largely flooded.

The March Society meets on the second Wednesday each month. The March Society March event is on Wednesday March 11 at 7pm in March Library.

Margaret Lake will give an illustrated talk ‘Saved by chance – the unusual carvings of St Clements Outwell’.

Unique medieval carved wooden figures were discovered accidently in the roof of the church.

Everyone is welcome. Members £2, non-members £3, including tea, coffee and biscuits.

Email: info@themarchsociety.org.uk

Website: www.themarchsociety.org.uk

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