2,000 year Roman theatre

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Roman theatre - dating 2,000 years.
Dr Paul Wilkinson, founder of the Kent Archaeological Field School, believes it is the first of its kind found in Britain.
The theatre with a nearly circular cockpit-style orchestra, would have seated 12,000 people. It was found in Faversham, Kent.

Roman remains: Excavations at the site where archaeologists have discovered the remains of a Bronze Age cockpit theatre

Theatres were unheard of in Britain before the arrival of the Romans. This illustration depicts a theatre near St Albans that would have been used around the same time as the Faversham cockpit theatre

The site shows activity dating to the Bronze Age but it is the Roman theatre - used for religious occasions - that has excited history lovers.
Dr Wilkinson is fighting to preserve the unique find for future generations and has applied for it to become an ancient monument site.

The theatre may have held 12,000 and would have been a religious sanctuary for  Romans, religious festivals wouldhave been held there. It is called a cockpit theatre and there are 150 in northern Europe  but none in Britain until now. An unexpected find.

 Dr Wilkinson has led archaeological digs in Kent for more than a decade and a recent survey unearthed the remains of a cockpit theatre

A cockpit theatre had a large nearly circular orchestra with a narrow stage set much further back than in traditional theatres.

The new find is a Roman rural religious sanctuary with a theatre built into the hillside. Two temple enclosures were found near by and a sacred spring.

Durolevum was the name the Romans gave to Faversham which means 'the stronghold by the clear stream.'

Dr Wilkinson has led archaeological digs in Kent for more than a decade. In September he led a team that found an ancient ceremonial site the size of Stonehenge on the North Downs.

The purpose of the neolithic 'henge' near Hollingbourne is shrouded in mystery, however a large amount of burnt bone and pottery discovered suggested it was used for some sort of ritual.
Researchers also found antles and cattle shoulder blades thought to have been used as pick axes and shovels by workers who first dug out the henge. The 50metre-wide henge was discovered after a circular mark was spotted in satellite images of the area.