Oh, the excitement of a new discovery! A team of workmen in Rogerstone, Wales, thought they’d hit the historical jackpot when they stumbled upon what they believed to be ancient Roman baths beneath the Canal pond at Fourteen Locks. Located just a short distance from the ancient Roman fortress of Caerleon, their find seemed set to rewrite history books.
The “stone-lined and unusually symmetrical” structures they unearthed had everyone buzzing with anticipation—could this be a hidden villa connected to the nearby Roman garrison? The idea of a lost chapter from the Roman empire thrilled many.
However, the excitement was short-lived. After calling in the experts, the truth was revealed: these mysterious ruins were actually discarded patio slabs from the 1970s. Yes, really. Turns out, the so-called ‘ancient’ site was just a dumping ground for someone’s unwanted garden makeover materials. Who would’ve thought it?
Newport Council was quick to playfully dash any dreams of newfound Roman history, noting the slabs were about 1,900 years too late for any Roman warriors. So, while the Roman ghosts of Caerleon can rest easy knowing their secrets are still safe, the workmen just have to chuckle at their unexpected find—imagine, it’s not every day you confuse garden slabs for ancient relics!
The lesson here? You never know what you might find when you dig a little deeper. Stay tuned, though—there’s always hope for a more genuine historical discovery next time at the iconic Fourteen Locks!