Roman camp discovered in Wales via medieval legend

Archaeologists have uncovered a Roman military camp in Pembrokeshire, Wales, following clues found in medieval folklore. The discovery was led by Dr. Mark Merrony, a Roman archaeology specialist from the University of Oxford, who used satellite imagery to identify the outlines of a castellum on an overgrown field.

The site is believed to be linked to the reign of Emperor Magnus Maximus in the 4th century. The location aligns with the medieval Welsh legend ‘The Dream of Macsen Wledig’ from the Mabinogion collection, which describes the emperor establishing a camp on the easternmost peak of the Preseli Hills.

Initial excavations have yielded valuable artifacts, including a Roman roof tile. The project is being conducted by the University of Oxford and other archaeological partners.