Roman Bath Saved from Destruction in UK

Concerns citizens banded together in the British town of Colchester and took action to thwart destruction of a rare and perhaps unique piece of Romano-British history.

A stone and mortar structure, identified as a Roman bath dating to 200 AD, was recently discovered on a site being readied for construction in Colchester, one of the most important cities of ancient Roman Britian.

Concerned that the structure would be smashed to pieces by site bulldozers, local citizens and members of the Colchester Archaeological Trust protested the move and quickly organized an effort to remove to safe haven. Cranes were brought in and the structure was removed on September, 2000, in several large pieces. It will be stored until a suitable public display can be arranged.

One of the rescurers of the emergency excavation has set up a website with pictures detailing the Roman Bath project.