Alchester - Roman Town

Alchester is the site of a Roman town about 3 km south of Bicester in Oxfordshire, England, whose ancient name remains unknown. Excavations revealed it was one of the earliest legionary fortresses in Britain after the AD 43 invasion, with tree-ring dating placing its gate posts to AD 44-45. The walled area of roughly 10 hectares sat at the crossroads of Akeman Street and the Silchester-Towcester road. Originally garrisoned by Legio II Augusta under Vespasian, the fortress was abandoned when the legion moved to Exeter before AD 68.