Mamucium

Mamucium, also known as Mancunium, is a former Roman fort in the Castlefield area of Manchester in North West England [1]. The Romans built the fort on a naturally defensible sandstone bluff that overlooked a nearby crossing over the River Medlock [1]. Construction of Mamucium started around AD 79 during the campaigns of General Julius Agricola against the Brigantes after a treaty failed [1]. Excavations show the fort had three main phases of construction: first AD 79, second around AD 160, and third in AD 200 [1]. Mamucium's dimensions indicate it was to be garrisoned by a cohort, about 500 infantry [1]. Mamucium was levelled as Manchester expanded in the Industrial Revolution [1]. The fort measured 160 metres by 130 metres and was surrounded by a double ditch and wooden rampart [1]. Around AD 200 the wooden rampart was replaced by stone ramparts [1].