Romans on the Isle of Man

Hi - so being Manx Resident we're going to pursue something that has started to interest us. The 'considered view' is that the Romans didn't occupy the Isle of Man. This is based on a certain amount of conjecture during the 19th Century and, despite not being the only viewpoint, has been held as the answer since then, despite some pretty good reasons why they may have occupied the Island either on a temporary or permanent basis.

To be fair there is little evidence (a Roman amphora found at the South Barrule Hill Fort and a few coins and a Roman Army votive altar dug up in Castletown - the explianation of how it got there being spurious at best (though this option is being investigated). But then very little of the Island has been investigated so who knows. It should alod be pointed out that the Island, during the Roman occupation of Britain was heavily wooded, so wood would often have been used and turf as well (especially in the early period).

There are a number of sites we are investigating (rather slowly) using Google Earth, photography and LiDAR mapping. More on those anon.

With the Island's strategic position (Romans to the East; Gaels to the West and Picts & Caledonians to the North) in the middle of the Irish Sea why would the Romans not occupy or at least raid the Island in some for or other? Certain in later centuries the strategic importance of the Island was not lost on its neighbours.

The truth is out there.....