ROMAN living quarters, furnished with weapons, shoes and wooden toys, have been discovered at Vindolanda Roman Fort.

Archaeologists said the discoveries, made during an “exceptional” summer of excavations at the fort, near Bardon Mill, represented one of the most comprehensive and important collections uncovered at a Hadrian’s Wall site.

Perfectly preserved in anaerobic, oxygen free soils, the ancient accommodation’s timber walls, floors, and fences were all intact.

The excavated rooms included stables for horses, and living accommodation with ovens and fireplaces.

Pottery and animal bones were found inside, along with a treasure chest of fascinating artefacts, including swords, arrow heads and ballista bolts.

Director of excavations at Vindolanda, Dr Andrew Birley, said the discoveries were made beneath the stone foundations of the site’s last stone fortress.

Dr Birley said one of the discoveries, a complete Roman sword with a sharp iron blade, resting in its wooden scabbard; by volunteer Rupert Bainbridge, was particularly special.

He explained: “You can work as an archaeologist your entire life on Roman military sites and, even at Vindolanda, we never expect or imagine to see such a rare and special object as this. It felt like the team had won a form of an archaeological lottery.”

The discovery of a second sword followed, although this time it had no wooden handle, pommel or scabbard; but Dr Birley said its blade and tang were still complete.

Two small wooden toy swords were found, as well as a Roman ink writing tablets on wood, bath clogs, leather shoes, stylus pens, knives, combs, hairpins, brooches, and a wide assortment of weapons including cavalry lances, arrowheads and ballista bolts.

Copper-alloy cavalry horse fitments for saddles, junction straps and harnesses, were also left behind, and have been preserved in excellent condition.

Dr Birley added: “The swords and other objects form a remarkable discovery of one of the most comprehensive and important collections of this type of material from a Hadrian’s Wall site.”

Visitors to Vindolanda will be able to view the new discoveries this autumn. For more information visit www.vindolanda.com