Archaeological evidence suggests that Mesolithic people settled in the
region of York between 8000 and 7000 BC, although it is not known whether
their settlements were permanent or temporary. By the time of the Roman
conquest of Britain, the area was occupied by a tribe known to the Romans as
the Brigantes. The Brigantian tribal area initially became a Roman client
state, but, later its leaders became more hostile and the Roman Ninth Legion was
sent north of the Humber into Brigantian territory.
The city was founded in AD 71, when the Ninth Legion conquered the Brigantes
and constructed a wooden military
