Roman 'service station' may have been found by archaeologists
Roman 'service station' may have been found by archaeologists
Archaeologists working on a dig near the A417 in the Cotswolds analyse items from their recent dig.
Artefacts found at the A417 in the Cotswolds date back 12,000 years and include a rare cupid figurine, a Roman nail cleaner, pottery, coins and jewellery.
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"We have a nice Roman settlement and it lies on Ermin Street, the road between Roman Cirencester and Gloucester," said Mr Thompson.
"We think that our settlement was being used to help with people that were travelling along the road and probably something to do with horses."
One of the theories is that the settlement may have been used for people to stop by to have their horses cared for or exchanged.
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One of the the most unusual finds from the dig was a small Cupid figurine from the Roman period, said Mr Thompson.
Found during the excavation phase of the dig, the figurine is 7cm (2.7in) in height and is made from copper alloy.
The figurine is a depiction of Cupid in the style of Hercules.
"It represents the power of love over even the strongest Heroes. It was probably a love token," added Mr Thompson.
"It wouldn't have been cheap. It's a really unusual and special find."
Of more than a thousand metal figurines from across Roman Britain, some 33 are known to depict Cupid, although this example appears to be the first to show Cupid as Hercules.