The Roman Road. With TWO Significant KINKS

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Patreon: / paulandrebeccawhitewick
Members: / @pwhitewick
Today we take another fresh look at a Roman Road that had two significant deviations in it. But why.... we think we have solved the mystery!
Credit and Thanks:
Credits: Music: Epidemicsound and Artlist.io
Sound Effects: Epidemicsound and Storyblocks
Additional Footage: Storyblocks - artgrid.io
Roman Road Diagram - Roman Road Research Association.
Additional Drone Footage:
Opochka: @opochka
Maps: OS Maps Crown Copyright 2023 - Media License.
Maps: Google Maps.
Maps: National Library of Scotland
ALL Lidar: EA Via Phil Barrett (Twitter: @Phil_M_Barrett )

[@SpindlyScoudrel]

Ray and Dave Davies were probably the two most significant Kinks. Hope that helps😂

[@pwhitewick]

You really got me!!!

[@steadynumber1]

Ooh, kinky !

[@mkendallpk4321]

Cheeky is what you are!

[@brianartillery]

Mick Avory's underpants! (A rather good instrumental by the Kinks). Why they wrote a tune celebrating their drummer's trollies, god only knows. But they did, and it's great.

[@RichardFelstead1949]

.@@pwhitewick I think The Kinks had hits around the time these roads were being used.

[@curiousfirely]

As a Canadian, our land history often can be seen in trees. To me, the trees in Macombe Bottom were clearly planted. When trees are in straight lines roughly evenly spread out, people usually put them there. If that were around me, it means the area was probably farmed in the last couple of hundred years. Not sure what that means in terms of history and land use there, but that's my observation!

[@pwhitewick]

Agreed, there were rows of new conifer trees, however half of the wood there was also much older. Interestingly though the area contained a significant slope, which its highly likely would not have been farmed at any stage. I am hoping that meant the preservation of the terrace

[@sonia4641]

I'm not so sure ..... in the UK a lot of natural woodland can look more 'uniform' than you might expect as it has been 'managed' at some point in the last 2000 years. Wood was used for so many functions before the industrial revolution, and trees/branches needed in all sizes. 'Uniformity' can be achieved as much by removing small saplings for certain uses, while allowing others to grow at regular spacing for another purpose. I'm not passing comment on this particular woodland, just noting that it may not be easy to tell whether there originally was a plantation made by humans or not ... So much of Britain was originally wooded that our current landscape (especially in England) has been more formed by the cutting down of trees ( whether largescale to create pasture/arable land or thinning to manage the wood resource) than by the planting of them.

[@walkwessex7994]

Another great video, Thank you! Young cows (especially bullocks) can be more troublesome than older cows. A bit like rowdy teens! DON'T RUN or make sudden moves! Face them and raise your arms to make yourselves look bigger. If you hold a stick (or tripod), you'll look even bigger. Take a firm step towards them while shouting at them (something like "GO ON, MOVE!") They should back off, at least for a while. Bullocks this age can be quite excitable, so always stay calm.

[@richieixtar5849]

Very Interesting as always, further enhanced by your reaction to those curious and friendly heifers, looks like they were expecting you to have a bucket of food for them :)

[@fjell6543]

The Romans used a Groma to build their roads, it was used to survey straight lines and right angles. It comprised a vertical staff with horizontal cross-pieces mounted at right angles on a bracket. Each cross piece had a plumb line hanging vertically at each end. They were stabilized on the high ground, and pointed in the direction it was going to be used and a pole was placed every 100 steps to mark a straight line.

[@cvtsboy]

The groma was useless in wind. It was used to set out 90 deg plots. The Roman Road surveyors would have used two sticks in line.

[@fjell6543]

@@cvtsboy 90 degree plots indoors?

[@cvtsboy]

90 deg plots of land. Outside.

[@brianwillson9567]

Love the interaction with the bovines. They obviously were so interested in the history of their field.

[@Neil070]

They are already experts in their field 😊

[@mattsyson3980]

It looked like they were playing 'dead lions' the kids game where they can move/follow you until you turn around at which point they have to stand still. If they move they 'lose'. Cows are curious and a great 'leveller', if you think humans are too superior. When they notice you, they will watch you quite carefully for about 23 seconds. After this a newly noticed blade of grass 'over there' is suddenly more important than you!

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

This is one of the best videos in a long time! A new favourite of mine. Not to downplay (or so) the other most recent ones. But I personally enjoyed this one especially. (Talking about the style.)

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Raph

[@johnoblein4592]

Marten is a hamlet that some of my wife's family originated from in the 1850s. When we visited the area, there was no trace of any labourers' cottages they might have dwelt in, so I am amazed that Roman traces can still be found. Well done indeed.

[@martinmarsola6477]

A great video today. Appreciate your time involved that we see, and also preparation of the video. Always enjoy what you present. Take care, and see you on the next. Cheers Rebecca and Paul! ❤️❤️🇬🇧👍👍🙂🙂🇺🇸

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Martin

[@barryballard1408]

Great video which needs to be watched several times to do justice to the amount of research you must have put into it. You shouldn't have worried about the cows. They probably just wanted to discuss their appearance fee.

[@RichardWatt]

But can cows join Equity?

[@MrGreatplum]

So good to have friendly landowners that help your quests! Looks like you had a “sunny afternoon” for your walk. Carry on like this Paul, and you will become a “well respected man.” We know already that Rebecca is a “dedicated follower of fashion…” Sorry, I could carry on for “days”…

[@007JHS]

heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.

[@thisisjmx]

Your videos being such joy. Especially while I'm currently confined to the house from a little surgery. Sunday's have always been the highlight of the week waiting on your videos. Those cows were funny.

[@grahamlane1313]

Hi paul and rebecca the cattle where following you cause they saw your rucksacks and they thought u where there to feed them another good video

[@mikeakhurst1855]

You can’t beat a kinky road! Great video both.

[@Neil070]

From my classical studies at school and extensive research into the culture of Ancient Rome, through Prof. Francis Howerd's dissertations on life in Pompeii ("the prologue"), I can conclusively say that the Romans were very kinky. Salute ✌

[@JISJ1964]

Calves are normally just curious about who comes to them, not dangerous at all.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

I LOVE these edits like in the one-minute-context part! 😃😍❤

[@mikedoublebee]

"one last ditch look" - very punny indeed😆

[@pwhitewick]

Hahaha.... did I say that

[@mikedoublebee]

@@pwhitewick Yep, it was in there alright!

[@janecapon2337]

I feel privileged to witness the discovery of Whitewick Terrace. Thank you for letting me come along!

[@davie941]

hello again Paul and Rebecca , very interesting video as always , lmao those cows lol, so nice of the people letting you both walk on their land , really well done and thank you guys , made my Sunday 😊

[@frontenac5083]

*2:38** You can't be trespassing if you have permission to be there.*

[@ucprof2008]

Very interesting and enjoyable video.

[@SteinGauslaaStrindhaug]

Maybe you could get a pair of identical cheap cameras and mount them side by side to get a stereoscopic camera for these ditches that are invisible on camera? (I assume they are visible in person because of binocular vision but not in camera because it's monocular.) You could show them side by side for those of us who are able to cross our eyes and view them stereoscopically directly; and overlay them with one image in red and the other in cyan or something, or maybe just overlay one over the other with "difference" blend mode, might show the shape well.

[@theeddorian]

That flint biface might be considerably older than the Neolithic. And yes, it is definitely worked.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Perfectly concise minute of context👏👏 ...... I'll just have to wait for the podcast for my dosis of waffle😅😅😅 Good to see that the farmers were happy to give you access and help out. Im glad you went back, I think your idea about the route seems a good one. Well done and good luck from Spain!!

[@stevefairbanks835]

There’s apparently a number of roads with significant KINKS near us, so a friend says😊, edit, and it’s not a good idea to visit after dark.

[@GojiraX]

When Ed the farm manager (that gave permission) enviariably posts, Paul or Rebecca should pin it.

[@pwhitewick]

I'll try!

[@malcolmsmith6615]

Only just watched the video (playing catch-up). I’ll have to adjust my own theory slightly but at least you’ve not blown it completely out of the water! I am surprised that the Romans chose a dead-straight line through the woods as that meant repetitive drops and rises of 30ft. However, the evidence clearly suggests they may well have done exactly that. Excellent work guys! Incidentally, the moat and square building platform near the other kink looks typically manorial to me rather than castle or fort. Just another idle observation!

[@lancewhite1477]

Cows are fine, they’re just inquisitive (and probably think you’re going to feed them).

[@pwhitewick]

They did seem rather playful.

[@harriergr7728]

@@pwhitewick as an ex DofE leader, I was informed by a farmer that the cows (and horses),think that you’ve got food for them in your rucksacks. A farmer would carry the cows food sack on his back, hence that’s why they were chasing you.

[@TheShedHobbyist]

The village of kelvedon, Essex has a kink in the High Street due a Roman fort in the middle.

[@TheShedHobbyist]

Also the starting point of the former 'crab and winkle' railway line which past the famous Tiptree jam factory.

[@pwhitewick]

That's what I thought the second kink could be!!

[@keithmacdonald6957]

Have you had a look at the Lidar image on the north-east side of Fosbury? Look for the straight field boundary that runs to a road junction west of Fosbury Farm, then go north to Beacon Farm.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: When I started watching this video I thought those two deviations in the Roman Road would just be for two mountains or something similar. Or maybe just hills, but since I was born & raised in Florida, USA, AMYTHING can be a MOUNTAIN...😊

[@eezy9872]

As far as I'm aware cows in the UK only attack humans if they have dogs, and usually to defend a calf.

[@chriswall4795]

Cattle with dogs?! 🤣

[@dave_h_8742]

Brilliant used to be in Wigan Archaeology society and they've been following the Roman road from Manchester through Coccium (Wigan) ( possible deviation at Standish from the used today north) to Ribchester.

[@grahamudall1040]

Really interesting video. Might I suggest some bright builders string or paracord as it’s thicker. Pulled tight it’ll show up levels/ dips on camera better.

[@pwhitewick]

Very good call

[@adrianlee2910]

I come home each evening from a hard day's work and foolishly watch the news, and what do I get? Inflation out of control, strikes out of control, immigration out of control, TV presenters out of control, and Vladimir Putin out of control! Then there are the two of you. Perfectly in control and producing these excellent little films and unravelling the small mysteries of our country's past. You have no idea how much pleasure you bring. Thanks so much for all of the time you spend entertaining and enlightening others. Nevermind the likes of Stephen Fry, Alan Bennett or Michael Palin, you two are real "national treasures"! You do all of this whilst earning a living and raising your family. I have such respect for you both.

[@ColinH1973]

Excellent work, you two! Thanks for this.

[@ynot6473]

@ 8.00, welcome to cattle, they're very curious but won't let you touch them, but if you run, they run.

[@tomlee812]

This was really worth the wait. One of your best and you seemed so relaxed and were having fun. thank you.

[@brianartillery]

My favourite (and easy to see) kink in a Roman Road, is where the A4 swerves around the base of Silbury Hill, which proves that Silbury Hill was built a long time before the Romans came here. As a kid, I was gullible enough to believe that the Romans built straight roads so that their enemies couldn't hide round corners. Straight line efficiency didn't register until many years later! Lovely video (that wood was definitely a bit eerie - like somewhere out of an M.R. James story.) Your enthusiasm and research are exemplary. Thank you. 👍👍👍

[@andrewlamb8055]

Terrific guys! Love your banter and playfulness… it comes through and helps the subject matter shine…. And I love Roman Roads etc. Please keep up the great work and do things at your own pace! 👍👍💫💫👏👏👏🍻

[@ChobertonJunction]

Great video, love it, history brought to life.

[@lotsofspots]

Hehehe, "one last-ditch look". Was that a deliberate pun?

[@thierrypauwels]

That reminds me of my cycling holiday of 2000. It ended abruptly in Savernake Forest where I fell and landed in the hospital. As far as I can see on the map, the accident did happen on the Roman road. And just before, I remember cycling over the Chute Causeway, with stunning views. I understand it is the first kink in the road.

[@alexritchie4586]

No matter how old I get, I will never not say 'Coos!' when I come across some friendly cows 😁

[@amandachapman4708]

Very interesting as always, thanks for the food for thought. Just a couple of pronunciation points: Cunetio. What the Kennet is named after. And Mynall, local pronunciation of Mildenhall.

[@stuartbrown5999]

Literally just stumbled accross your channel while watching other stuff about Pyramids. Love the content and looking forward to watching all your posted stuff and many more, you're making an expat now living in Virginia very happy!

[@bobsrailrelics]

So much research, really interesting result. Thanks both.

[@sawyerhja]

Fascinating video, P & R. I used to live near the London - Lewes Roman road @ Holtye. Joining our local archaeological group, I had an interesting day trying to plot the road as it made its way southwards. The road was constructed using cinder from local bloomeries. it is, perhaps, the traces of ferrous material in the slag that helped the divining rods, with which I have had moderate success (rods being made of metal coathangers stuck into a Bic pen sleeve!).

[@andyalder7910]

Fascinating follow up, and don't worry about mispronouncing Mildenhall (my-nal) as everyone else does as well except those that live there.

[@finnwillows6031]

Your videos inspired me to visit England and do some walking. Was just in Woodhenge a few days ago, which is very near to your Whitewick Terrace. Lovely countryside.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah so much to see indeed. Keep hunting so pleased we inspired your trip.

[@painterman235]

Well done for not giving up on the kink and discovering a second one. Big shout out to the helpful manager for the land access. A fun video .. thank you.

[@danielbarrows7144]

That stone you were holding definitely looked as though it was made into a tool! Very cool find guys 🪨⚒

[@lastofthebrownies]

We have a Grim’s Ditch hereabouts… between Wendover and Princes Risborough. Also quite a lot of Ridgeway.

[@Joanna-il2ur]

There’s also a Grims Dyke near Banbury. Grimr is another name for Woden.

[@markstott6689]

Whitewick Terrace must have been haunting your dreams for months to keep on returning time and again. It's still got an interesting tale to weave that's certain. Maybe you need to return with permission and a metal detector seeing as the Whitewick budget is unlikely to stretch to a University Geophysical Department? ❤😂

[@pierremainstone-mitchell8290]

A great video about two kinks from two delightful kinks (about their subject)! Nice one Paul & Rebecca!

[@andrewharrison8975]

Very interesting and entertaining video. I live near Shepton Mallet which is on the Fosse Way which is, effectively the A37 (I think). Traveling along it from Shepton, going towards Ilchester, and before to get to Cary Fitzpaine, at a place called Eva’s Green, there is a kink in the A37, and I suspect that the Roman road went straight on. Do you know of this phenomenon and why there is a kink? If not it might worth a look, do you think?

[@amandachapman4708]

There are a couple of kinks, I think the one you are referring to is possibly from the days of the Enclosures which re-routed a lot of stretches of roads around big parcels of land. There's another less obvious one south of Pylle which is perhaps from rebuilding the toll road in the 18th century to give less if a gradient for coach traffic

[@AndyGadget]

This puts me in mind of a 1980s comedy, Chelmsford 123, where a semicircular diversion was put into a planned Roman road to preserve the holy town of Romford.

[@nicolawebb6025]

Glad I'm not the only one nervous of cows when out walking

[@EngineerLewis]

And some twists to this story - fun with cows - thanks for telling us the story of this Roman Road!

[@mikeholdaway2412]

Townies!! The cattle won't hurt you😂. Another great vlog. Thanks, guys

[@kubhlaikhan2015]

MY old Dad ascribed every wonky road to just one thing - cider.

[@hainanbob6144]

Great video and lovely cows, I was quite jealous. I chat to them quite regularly where I live, some allow me to get close, others are too nervous.

[@frontenac5083]

*8:52** YOU CAN'T TRESPASS WITH PERMISSION !!!* *It is literally **_impossible!!!_*

[@everestyeti]

Another fantastic film, thank you for expanding our knowledge. 👍🤗

[@maverickdisco4036]

Your insights into our history and heritage are fascinating, thanks very much for sharing.

[@frontenac5083]

*It is impossible to trespass on someone's land if they gave you permission to enter...!*

[@marvintpandroid2213]

2 kinks, you both look so normal 😅

[@Bender24k]

When YOU like it, I like it. Thanks, good stuff!

[@RJSRdg]

Is this like the railway line in Russia that is absolutely straight apart from one kink. It's straight because the Tsar drew a line on a map with a ruler and said that was where he wanted it, and it has a kink because his thumb was over the edge of the ruler!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

An intriguiging theory of Roman kinks in the landscape. There must be instances where the physical terrain or ground conditions make a short detour a practical necessity. Even Roman roads must have been impassable at times, due toi local flooding or such like. Unlike many theories, this one was engagingly presented! I think those young cows were fully engaged too - though the chase must have felt just a tad too enthusiastic! Perhaps they were simply verry eager to hear your findings! Thank you for a most enjoyable video!.

[@christophernoble6810]

When you have undulating country you sometimes have to deviate from a totally straight line. Of course the Romans tended to go in a number of individual straight lines that had the effect over long distances of looking anything but a completely straight line. In flat terrain then, yes that would be ruler straight over considerable distances. Short of making a series of digs it is going to be impossible to say where exactly the line of the road went. Over time the heavy road surface would sink and get covered by soil and so disappear from sight. Good luck getting the definitive on this one!

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

This video was so much fun. This is exactly what I would like to do. Following old roads is a bit like traveling back in time. ❤

[@davidbassett4577]

Another great video Paul & Rebecca .. love your theory about the kinks in that Roman Road! Thank you for sharing that with us .. also love the part where you get followed & then chased by the young cattle! 😊

[@laurendamasoruiz]

The cows struck me as just being young and curious, still it’s always a bit daunting to have the running over! I always sing at the cows, mostly to calm me down rather than them I’m not going to lie 😂 It’s when they start mooing at you, then you know they’re unhappy!

[@TachyonJon]

I think I’ve found a kink too… Tight faux leather leggings, I don’t know where I found it though

[@WC21UKProductionsLtd]

I’m glad you went back and looked at the northern end. Couldn’t really make out what you could see in those woods, but it looks like you were right. Would be good to get some trenches cut in those fields on the first alignment - that would solve it. Great video.

[@mtgcardzandreview2756]

Roman history is worth studying and still finding evidence form the past. Oh and watch out for the cow patties in the cow field.

[@gideonriddell4535]

On the latest Google maps satellite/aerial, there are some faint marks in the field to the north of Hippenscombe, SN8 3NW that appear to be inline with the Roman road.

[@pwhitewick]

Ooooh... can you email me the gps

[@Rockdoc2174]

With a slope like that in Mattcombe Bottom Wood I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there hadn’t been regular landslips, leading to what appears to have been the alighment’s abandonment in favour of a pragmatic solution. The Romans used to clear wide areas on either side of their roads to minimise ambushes and that is the very worst thing you can do on sloping ground. It trashes the stability. The roots of the covering vegetation tie the soil together and that reduces slips considerably. It’s standard geomechanics, part of any mining or civil engineering degree.

[@PeteSty]

I never knew. Very interesting. Thanks.

[@robertdonaldson6584]

I am fiddling "Swinging on a Gate" on my violin because it is very Romantic.

[@Hairnicks]

Well analysed and very interesting theory which sounds pretty good to me. I love the education you give ys all.😊

[@merbertancriwalli8622]

9:54 - One "last ditch" look. 🙂

[@shirleylynch7529]

Great fun with the cows. Interesting explore. So much info. Really enjoyed this update. Thank you both

[@markthompson3577]

fun and very informative, this video has brightened up my day .....thank you paul & rebecca.......👍👍

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Mark

[@ArcAudios77]

Brilliant, many a laugh. Needed it. Thanks. Regards sent from an old Roman Town on the Antonine Wall.

[@iankemp1131]

All sounds pretty convincing. Roman roads are generally pretty straight but undulating, which makes them interesting to drive on nowadays but sometimes treacherous when there's something in a hidden dip and someone tries to overtake. In this case for once it seems the Romans got it wrong and the drop and climb were just too awkward or open to attack, so they reverted to the contour route on the hill. The second type of kink is much more common than the first, where for various reasons the later road pattern (mediaeval etc) deviated from the original straight Roman road.

[@MalacdenValleyModels]

Great video guys, fantastic content. Some great countryside around that area as well! 👍

[@gbso692]

Fascinating! It's cool that this investigation continues to find some interesting evidence. I hope that your work attracts more and more attention.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Giving the cows a good roasting there Paul. Great video indeed.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Simon

[@leonardjackman354]

Thank you both for another very interesting video about roman Britain

[@ronaldderooij1774]

It would be nice to follow this up with some archeology.

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely yes

[@North_West1]

Thank you for saying you had permission.

[@HUTZELMUTZEL]

what if an inexperienced surveyor or advance scouting party "measured" and just didn't want to set a new route and you had to go around the hill

[@CheersWarren]

We’re the Roman roads paved or just in certain areas? Growing up we were told the Saxon reused the Roman paving stones when the Roman’s left. But if the Roman’s abandoned a road they would ha reused the stone in the revised route or elsewhere ? Dunno Cheers Warren In usa

[@pwhitewick]

Hey Warren. Here (UK) pretty much only paved on areas of population. Everywhere else they were made for local resources. They followed a pattern on construction, but essentially whatever was available locally.

[@oliverghunter]

Great video P&R, loved it! Keep them coming!! 😀

[@leannemaidment5224]

Absolutely brilliant film, really enjoyed that!

[@michaelmiller641]

Fascinating,as usual!

[@NickBR57]

All these kinky roads and deviations - and I'm sure Rebecca was wearing leather trousers when you first mentioned it...