Remains of Romano-British Chariot-Racing Arena May Be 'Find of the Decade'

Archaeologists working on a housing development in Essex have unearthed what they believe to be the first Roman chariot-racing arena to be found in Britain, according to several reports from Britain.

If confirmed, the arena may have once had all of the accoutrements of a typical Roman race track, including a lap-counter similar to the one pictured at left dating to the late Augustan-early Flavian period.

The discovery was made at a site in Colchester and has hit the headlines across the country with local and national press lauding it as one of the most exciting Roman finds in decades.

Experts are thrilled at the possibility that this could be the first evidence of a chariot-racing circus in this country, but have refuted claims that it was the largest to be built outside Italy.  Click for more details.