An ancient Roman fort discovered in a remote area of Wales could offer tangible evidence for a centuries-old legend involving the Roman emperor Magnus Maximus. Archaeologist Mark Merrony, a fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, identified the fort using satellite imagery in 2024. Subsequent excavations at the site, located near Frenni Fawr in Pembrokeshire, have uncovered Roman artifacts, including ceramic roofing tiles and what may be floor tiles or materials for underfloor heating.
Two Roman coins dating to the late fourth century were also found, suggesting activity at the site may have continued into the period when Magnus Maximus ruled Britain from 383 to 388 AD. Merrony estimates the fort could have accommodated up to 1,000 auxiliary soldiers, a capacity comparable to garrisons along Hadrian's Wall.
The discovery has drawn attention due to its potential link to the "Mabinogion," a medieval collection of Welsh tales. One story within the collection recounts a Roman emperor establishing a military camp near Frenni Fawr. Merrony, who was tracing Roman roads when he identified the fort, believes its location and size align with the legend.
"I put two and two together, and I thought the question is not whether this is the site. The question is, is the ‘Mabinogion’ correct? And I suspect it is," Merrony told Fox News Digital. He suggests that the legend might preserve the memory of a historical event, possibly related to Maximus's time in Britain.
Merrony theorizes that Maximus may have been in the region in response to incursions by Irish groups during the fourth century before departing Britain for continental Europe. He also noted the possibility of a previously unidentified major Roman road and an aqueduct system near the fort that require further investigation.
Additional excavations are planned for 2027, focusing on widening trenches over buildings at the site. Merrony anticipates uncovering more significant structures, potentially including a collapsed building that has been identified but not yet excavated.