Search Results - Castlefield

After suffering years of urban decay, Castlefield was designated as a conservation area in 1980 and the United Kingdom's first designated Urban Heritage Park in 1982.^[2][3] This was motivated by the fact that the area is centred on the confluence of the Bridgewater Canal, Ashton Canal and Rochdale Canal as well as a network of railways and, consequently, a great deal of Manchester's industrial heritage is still intact in the area. The growth in tourism and leisure has transformed what was once a forgotten corner of the city into a thriving major attraction with frequent popular events.^[4]

A Roman fort called Mamucium, or Mancunium, was established in what is now Castlefield c.&_160;AD&_160;79 near a crossing point on the River Medlock.^[5] The fort was sited on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers Medlock and Irwell in a naturally defensible position.^[6] It was erected as a series of fortifications established by Gnaeus Julius Agricola during his campaign against the Brigantes who were the Celtic tribe in control of most of northern England.^[7] It guards the Deva Victrix (Chester) to Eboracum (York) Roman road running east to west, and a road heading north to Bremetennacum (Ribchester).^[8] The neighbouring forts were Castleshaw and Northwich.^[9] Built first from turf and timber, the fort was demolished around 140. When it was rebuilt around 160, it was again of turf and timber construction.^[10] In about 200 the fort underwent another rebuild, this time enhancing the defences by replacing the gatehouse with a stone version and facing the walls with stone.^[11] The fort would have been garrisoned by a cohort, about 500 infantry, of auxiliary troops.^[12]

Evidence of both pagan and Christian worship has been discovered. Two altars have been found and there may be a temple of Mithras associated with Mamucium. A word square was discovered in the 1970s that may be one of the earliest examples of Christianity in Britain.^[13] A civilian settlement, or vicus, grew in association with the fort, made up of traders and families of the soldiers. An area which has a concentration of furnaces and industrial activity has been described as an industrial estate.^[14] The vicus was probably abandoned by the mid 3rd century, although a small garrison may have remained at Mamucium into the late 3rd and early 4th centuries.^[15]