Cotswold Archaeology
One change Discovered by a team of archaeologists in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, it is an extraordinary window into everyday life in Roman Britain: remains of what can only be described as a “service area” that is around 2,000 years old — something that, at the time, was revolutionary.
In 2024, a team of archaeologists from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology who was carrying out excavations as part of the infrastructure project, found a rare example of a change romana — a designated stopping station where travelers could rest, eat and, above all, change horses.
The archaeological site is located next to the current busy A417, approximately eight kilometers south of Cheltenham, next to a important Roman road which connected Corinium (currently Cirencester) to Glevum (Gloucester) — two of the most important urban centers in western Roman Britain.
As change Romans were a vital piece of the public coursethe state-run mail and transportation network that allowed Rome to move employees, messages, and goods efficiently throughout its vast empire.
According to , the evidence suggests that this change in Gloucestershire was in operation between the 2nd and 4th centuries ADa period in which Roman Britain prospered, both from an economic and military point of view.
Although the buildings are simple in design, its layout reveals a clear division of functions: an area dedicated to people and another reserved for animals.
In the space designated for animals, archaeologists found bridles, harness parts and equipment for horses, confirming that it was a specific place for replace exhausted animals with fresh mounts.
In the human zone appeared remains of rudimentary Roman ovensmillstones for grinding cereal, areas for preparing food and personal items — heat, meals and temporary shelter for tired travelers.
The remains of food indicate that it was consumed here bread, meat and even snailsa delicacy in some regions of the Roman world.
The discovery of cooking fires and large quantities of animal bones reinforces the idea that this was very more than a simple stable: it was a real rest areawith its own small supply network.
An authentic archaeological treasure
The excavation revealed an impressive set of more than 460 coins Roman stones, 420 kilograms of pottery and animal bones, 15 decorative fibulae (clothing pins), a bronze ring with glass inlay and a striking blue and white glass bead.
One of the most unusual finds is a Roman nail clipper in bone and metala reminder that, even on long trips, personal care was not neglected.
The excavation project director, Alex Thompsondescribed the discovery as “an extraordinary look at Roman infrastructure”highlighting that the site “exceeded all expectations” and could represent one of the oldest formalized concepts of road “service area” in Europe.
Modern travelers tend to take for granted the existence of service areas on motorways, but in ancient times, the presence of well-organized stopping points revolutionary era.
The Romans built structures throughout the empire, many of them equipped with changes e mansions — larger inns for overnight stays.
The location of this mutatio suggests that it served both civilian travelers as officials serving the Roman administration. The proximity of Corinium, then the second largest city in Britannia, further reinforces its importance.
The discovery reacts to the curious continuity between ancient and modern routes of transport. Just as the current A417 channels drivers to major road junctions, the Roman road that runs alongside it transported soldiers, merchants, mailif settlers across the province.
The station now exposed reminds us that, long before gas stations and convenience stores, travelers already needed places to stay. rest, refuel and continue on your way.
