Archaeologist Mark Merrony told Fox News Digital about the discovery of an ancient Roman fort in Wales that could support a centuries-old legend involving Emperor Magnus Maximus, who is said to have established a military camp in the area.

An ancient Roman fort discovered in a remote part of Wales could help unravel a centuries-old legend about a Roman emperor — and may have accommodated as many as 1,000 soldiers, the archaeologistbehind the discoverytold Fox News Digital.

The fort, located near Frenni Fawr in Pembrokeshire, was the subject of an October announcement by Wolfson College, Oxford, following recent excavations at the site.

Mark Merrony, a fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, andeditor-in-chief of Antiqvvs, an archaeology magazine, first identified the fort using satellite imagery in 2024.

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More recent excavations uncovered two Roman coins from the late fourth century, suggesting activity at the site may have continued into the period whenEmperor Magnus Maximusruled Britain from 383 to 388 A.D.

Merrony, who described the fort’s location as being in the “middle of nowhere,” told Fox News Digital the site could have accommodated significantly more soldiers than he initially estimated.

The newly discovered Roman fort may have accommodated as many as 1,000 auxiliary soldiers, according to archaeologist Mark Merrony, pictured at right.(Mark Merrony)

“I’ve been saying 500 troops, but actually it’s bigger than the housesteads on Hadrian’s Wall, which held 1,000 troops,” he said.

“So it could have held up to 1,000 auxiliary Roman soldiers.”

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Excavations also uncovered numerousRoman artifacts, including ceramic roofing tiles and what Merrony believes could be floor tiles or materials used for underfloor heating.

Despite the attention surrounding the fourth-century coins, Merrony believes the fort itself is more significant.

The Roman fort’s remote location near Frenni Fawr has intrigued archaeologists investigating its possible connection to Emperor Magnus Maximus, depicted at right.(Mark Merrony; Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“I think the presence of the site is more important than the coins because it was almost certainly founded in the 1st century,” he said.

The possible connection to Maximus stems from the “Mabinogion,” a medieval collection of Welsh tales and legends that also features King Arthur.

One story recounts the Roman emperor establishing a military camp near Frenni Fawr.

Source: Fox News