Lincoln (Colonia Lindum) – Quick Facts

Where

Lincoln, Lincolnshire Map

When

• Began as a fort in AD 54.
• Was home to the 9th Legion until AD 68 when they were transferred to the fort at York (Eboracum) and were replaced by the 2nd AdiutrixLegion, who were then moved to the fort at Chester (Diva) in AD80.
• Established as a colonia(colony for retired Roman soldiers) in AD80.
• By the third century Lindum Coloniawas a high status city of 5000-10000 and at the end of the century it became the capital of its own province, Britannia Secunda.

What Remains

 Newport Arch/North Gate

• Dating from the 3rd century this arch is the only surviving Roman gate in Britain still open to traffic.
• Spanned Ermine Street, now the street is called Bailgate.
• Look up – the house attached to the gate has a chimney built with Roman bricks.

4th Century Defensive Town Wall

• Length of 4th century town wall survives east of beside Newport Arch along a narrow lane called East Bight.

Aqueduct

• Segment of aqueduct wall where the water entered the city found along East Bight lane.

Reservoir

• Located near the aqueduct on East Bight Lane.
• Lined with opus signinum (waterproof concrete).
• Could hold 12,000 litres/2660 gallons of water.

East Gate

• Foundations of the semi-circular tower of the East Gate survive beside the Lincoln Hotel.
• The first four steps of the stairway that led to the top of the tower survive.

Upper South Gate

• Dates from the 3rd century, this gate had a monumental series of steps leading up the the steepest part of the hill.
• Sections of wall still survive as part of the Lincoln Castle wall.

Lower West Gate

• Lower city wall strengthened in the 3rd century, fragments from other structures used in construction such as altars and a decorated cornice.
• Located near City Hall.

Mint Wall

• Impressive standing outer wall of the forum basilica found down lane called West Bight.
• It is 23 m/76 feet long, and stands 7 m/23 feet high above today’s street level, with 2m/6 feet more of the wall buried below ground.

Forum

• Once had a colonnade of 19 columns 8m/26 feet high, of which the bases of 3 survive in cellar of 29 Tailgate, others are marked in the road of Bailgate

Roman Altar located in St. Swithin’s Church 

• Dedicated by Augustus Caius Antistius Frontinus was used in the building of the fourth century East town wall.
• Was found in the ground when St. Swithin’s was built in the 1870s.

Bits and Pieces around Town

• 44 Steep Hill little section of Roman wall in later wall.
• Mercury Shoes on Steep Hill has plaque noting a base of a portico.
• Plaque on Ruddock’s of Lincoln Stationary says evidence found of worship by guild of Mercury.