We continue Margary’s work by researching Roman roads using modern technology such as LiDAR, which uses lasers fired from an aircraft to create an incredibly accurate model of the earth’s surface beneath any vegetation, revealing surviving archaeology otherwise not visible. The example below is a Roman road in Lincolnshire, just east of Grantham, where until recently it was assumed that the A52 followed the course of a Roman road, which it almost certainly doesn’t. Instead, a different road leads from the same junction on Ermine Street, apparently serving an entirely local function.
The Roman Roads Research Association was formed to advance knowledge of the Roman road network and promote the study of Roman roads and Roman heritage throughout the British Isles. Our work is inspired by Ivan D. Margary whose “Roman Roads in Britain ” (1955) remains the most comprehensive gazetteer ever compiled.
The homepage image is refreshed on a frequent basis. We would be pleased to consider contributions from members and non- members alike for use on this page, and for use in the gazetteer as it develops. As the Gazetteer develops, we will need a huge number of good quality images from all over the country
The closing date for final submissions is 15th November 2025; however if you are considering submitting material for Itinera, please contact the Editor using the button below.
Itinera includes reports of excavations, new discoveries from lidar, aerial photography, and geophysics, designation of 'new' routes through an expanded Margary system, and a range of peer- reviewed scholarly articles exploring the wider context of roads as related to military and civilian activity, forts, planning, surveying and all aspects of Roman life. Itinera 6 will include Roman Roads in 2025, providing an overview of all archaeological work involving Roman roads in Britain during the coming year. Full details, including Notes for Contibutors, can be found here.
We welcome papers which contribute to a better understanding of the road network and its place within the wider context of Roman studies, whether in the UK or internationally.
The fifth volume of the Roman Roads Research Association’s own peer reviewed journal, Itinera, will be released in digital form to our members in June 2025, with printed versions available to purchase for delivery in late May. We are now accepting submissions for Volume 6. Itinera is the only journal in the world dedicated to publishing research, fieldwork, and new discoveries that relate to Roman roads or Roman transport infrastructure more broadly, both in Britannia and the rest of the Roman Empire.
FINAL TALK IN OUR 2024/5 SEASON WITH MIKE LUKE
Our season of talks continues with The Roman road network around Sandy, Bedfordshire, by Mike Luke, on Thursday 24 April 2025 at 7:30pm GMT. Book your place through Eventbrite.
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