In the foreground of this photo are the ruins of a large stone amphitheater, originally built in the 70s A.D. by the Romans. It is similar to amphitheater found in Continental Europe, although a smaller wooden amphitheater may have existed here beforehand. Today, only the northern half of the structure is exposed; the southern half is covered by buildings. This amphitheater is the largest so far uncovered in Britain, and dates from the first century when the Roman fort of Deva Victrix was founded. The amphitheater would have been primarily for military training and drill, but would also have been used for cock fighting, bull baiting and combat sports, including classical boxing, wrestling and gladiatorial combat. In use through much of the Roman occupation of Britain, the amphitheater fell into disuse around the year 350. It was rediscovered in 1929, when one of the pit walls was discovered during construction work.