Wearside Echoes: Roman around Sunderland’s history

A FLURRY of ancient finds has sparked renewed calls for investigations into a possible Roman dam in Sunderland.

Historians have long debated the origins of a stone structure which once spanned the River Wear between North and South Hylton – but a definitive answer has yet to be unearthed.

Now a public meeting is to be held to discuss the topic further – with Wearsiders urged to bring along any ancient artefacts discovered in the area for closer examination.

“Recent Roman finds such as a figurine, pottery shard and several coins have re-ignited the debate over the history of the structure,” said Castle ward councillor and local historian Denny Wilson.

“One theory is that the Romans built it as a dam, to enable the transport of goods by boat much further up river. If proved to be Roman, this could really put Sunderland on the map.”

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