Archaeologists in Gloucestershire have uncovered a remarkable Roman mutatio, or horse-changing station, dating back 2,000 years, as part of a two-year excavation project near Gloucester services on the M5. This ancient site, located along Ermin Street, linked Gloucester and Cirencester, providing rest for travelers.
The excavation, which is being conducted to facilitate a new link road, has revealed a wealth of artifacts, including 460 Roman coins, 15 brooches, animal bones, and remnants of ovens. Project manager Alex Thomson from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology remarked, “The structures we've recorded helped serve the passing trade on a busy Roman highway—it really could be a 2,000-year-old service station.”
Spanning 40 hectares, the site has yielded significant insights into life during Roman Britain, with findings including quarry pits used for the construction of Ermin Street and a stone well containing a hobnail shoe, hairpins, and a ring. A notable discovery was a 60mm tall copper-alloy representation of Cupid, characterized by a chubby face and a club instead of the traditional bow and arrow.
The main service area is believed to have consisted of two buildings, likely one serving as a workshop and the other for accommodation. Thomson suggested that this location served as a convenient stopping point for travelers, especially given its proximity to major Roman settlements like Cirencester and Gloucester.
Evidence indicates the settlement emerged around AD 160-180 and remained occupied into the fourth century. The busy road would have catered to passing legions, serving as a vital link in the Roman transportation network.
Although most of the archaeological work is complete, a small team remains on-site to monitor for additional findings as road construction continues, expected to conclude in 2027. Artifacts from the excavation will be displayed in local museums.
This project has been featured in an episode of BBC Two's Digging for Britain, aired on January 15, 2025.