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| Question:
What transport systems did the Romans introduce? |
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| Map of Roman roads in Sussex |
| One of the Romans most important introductions was a comprehensive road system over much of Britain. These roads enabled the army to move quickly from place to place, and afterwards they were useful for traders and merchants who needed to reach suppliers and markets. |
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| Air photo of Roman road |
| Roman roads were so well made that some of the have survived for nearly 2000 years. Roman roads were made of several layers of different sized stones, and were raised in the centre with drainage ditches on either side. Where possible they ran in a straight line, to keep distances between places as short as possible. Can you see the long straight road in the photo? |
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| Milestone |
| This stone has been identified as a possible milestone, although its inscription reads ‘son of the deified Constantius Pius Augustus’ rather than the name of any town or settlement. It may originally have marked a road linking Chichester to Pevensey. |
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| Mansio at Hardham |
| A mansio was like an official hotel where military or civilian officials could stay overnight on long journeys. This mansio was built on Stane Street, an important route between London and the south coast. |
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| Bridge |
| Archaeologists rarely find bridges, either because routes have changed, or timber supports have rotted away. This bridge crossed the River Arun at Alfoldean and would have been an important crossing point on the London to Chichester road. |
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