Derventio is the Roman Name for Papcastle
Papcastle is a village just North West of Cockermouth, on the banks of the River Derwent, under which is a Roman Fort and a large civil settlement. It appears to be a regional centre at the junction of probably 5 Roman roads. It is just over 5 miles from Maryport, which also had a large civil settlement and Moresby about 10 miles south west. There are no visible remains, with the exception of a slight mound for the fort on the ground north of the village.
The Fort
Papcastle was occupied late in the 1st century, probably with troops returning from Scotland. South West Cumbria had been largely bypassed during the initial invasion and only occupied when cohorts were available.
The fort does not appear to have been occupied from 140 to 160AD, during the second invasion of Scotland. On the return from Scotland, a new stone fort was built, measuring 620ft by 540ft. The new fort at Papcastle was on a different alinement further east and south, with a more regular rectangular shape. This was a large fort of over 7 acres, sufficient for 2 cohorts, including a cavalry contingent.
When two rows of bungalows were built in the 1960s rescue archaeology identified that an area was levels between 293 to 306AD identified the building of new barracks and the foundations of a commander’s house. Occupation continued into through the 4th century.
Civil Settlement
The Civil Settlement seems to have developed early, identified from the end of the 1st century and continuing for over 200 years. It is claimed to be a town and certainly a significant settlement covering 56 acres. A Roman town is usually identified as having a structured plan with monumental civil buildings. More evidence of monumental buildings would be helpful to confirm this claim. It may have been the largest settlement after York and Carlisle until the end of the second century and developed about 60 years before Corbridge, which became significant in the 3rd century. it was about the same size as Corbridge and one of the four significant towns in the North.
Papcastle declined in the 3rd century after about 220AD.
The settlement was found on both sides of the river.
Buildings in the South East of the Village
In the field east of the town development, a Roman road was found lined with narrow Strip buildings
Further south, the Time Team TV programme found two additional strip Buildings dating from the 2nd century, in the garden of Derwent Lodge Cottage. On the same site on top of these buildings, the remains of a civil building, probably early 3rd century, the sort of building associated with a Roman town.
Bathhouse and Mansio
To the south east of the above sketch is a group of buildings. At first, there was a bathhouse and Mansio (which is a guest house for VIP travellers). The Mansio only existed for a few years, but the bathhouse continued to be changed and extended including the usual underfloor heating system. This extended to a second bathhouse which is very well preserved as you can see below
Watermill and Settlement across the River
There was a significant community on the south bank of the river. Following the extensive floods of 2009 resulting in a geophysics study south of the river from Papcastle, the site was excavated in 2010. First, the Mill race was found and then the 2nd century Watermill foundations. This is only the second watermill found in the north of England and the best preserved. None were found on the Wall although Chesters and Willowford near Birdoswald had to be good candidates, without any results.
River Derwent Bridge
As part of the excavation of the settlement south of the river, an abutment of a bridge was found of a 4th Century Bridge using recycled stone, but not a monumental bridge. It was obviously a replacement, not the first bridge in Northern Britain to be swept away, following Corbridge, Chesters and Willowford, not the finest bridge in Northern England.
A bridge with stone pillars supported a wooden platform.