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<< Our Photo Pages >> Hadrian's Wall - Misc. Earthwork in England in Northumberland

Submitted by C_Michael_Hogan on Sunday, 01 October 2023  Page Views: 27053

Roman, Greek and ClassicalSite Name: Hadrian's Wall Alternative Name: Roman Wall
Country: England County: Northumberland Type: Misc. Earthwork
Nearest Town: Newcastle upon Tyne
Map Ref: NY770679
Latitude: 55.005129N  Longitude: 2.361121W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
2 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
4

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I have visited· I would like to visit

TheCaptain visited on 23rd Sep 2022 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 A day exploring Hadrians Wall. Drive to Housesteads, bus to The Sill, then walk up to the trig point on Winshield Crag before walking eastwards along Hadrian's wall back to Housesteads Fort, having lunch at Sycamore Gap.

jeffrep visited on 21st Sep 2006 Visited and walked many miles along the wall twice: August 2, 2004 and September 21, 2006.

Jansold visited on 31st May 2005 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4

nicoladidsbury C_Michael_Hogan whese001 have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.5 Ambience: 5 Access: 4

Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39
Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39 submitted by Horatio : Milecastle 39 and the Sycamore gap (Vote or comment on this photo)
Hadrian's wall is the largest and most impressive monument built by the Romans in Britain. The wall included at least 16 major forts, 81 smaller milecastle forts and about 160 manned turrets; a substantial defensive ditch and rampart aided the military function.

Discoveries at the wall include 1900 year old human skeletons, stone ovens, inscribed stones, stone gates and the oldest paper writing remains found in all of Britain. The work herein is based upon my fieldwork of the summer of 2006 in addition to review of archival data.

HISTORY. Begun by Agricola as a massive ditch spanning the width of Britain in the late first century AD, Emperor Hadrian ordered a greatly expanded wall fortification to be built in 122 AD, Hadrian conceived the project as fundamentally a border control function to prevent infiltration of Picts and Scotii from the north. The military strength of the wall was never garrisoned to repel a major invasion force, but sentinel coverage was intended to interdict small bands of men who generally had the intent to disrupt civil settlements and damage crops and property of the settled province of Brittania. (Johnson, 2004)

When the Antonine Wall was built further north, Hadrian's Wall assumed a lesser role, but was revitalised as the major frontier defence under Emperor Severan in the late second century. In the year 367, well after the more northern border was abandoned., an alliance of Scotii, Picts and Saxons overran the wall and roamed northern Britain at will for two years, until Rome sent a legion to push the interlopers back; this event further demonstrates that the wall itself was not intended to repel even a moderate scale attack. In 409 AD the Romans withdrew from Britain, (Brown, 2006) and some of the forts were used thereafter by certain local tribes. In 1987 Hadrian's Wall was inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

DESIGN. The wall spans the entire width of Britain from the Tyne Estuary to the Solway Firth, running about 117 kilometres. Retaining the Agricola ditch as an initial defence, adding an outer glacis and entrapment schemes, a curtain wall is the centrepiece of the design. The natural granitic Whin Sill landform was utilised as the backbone of the eastern range of the wall, while turf and timber were preferred on the Solway plain, where stone is scarce. The wall width varies from 2.2 to 3.1 metres thick and stood 4.6 to 6.2 metres high, including a course of crenellated battlements; (Johnson, 2004) the core of the stone wall was rubble. (Fields, 2003) In a subsequent visit to the Great Wall of China, I was struck by the similarity in styles, both using undulating natural terrain and like scales of construction, with similar battlement geometry, watchtowers and parapets.

West of the River Irthing, turf and timber prevailed, while cut stones with limed mortar interstices were used to the east. There were a total of 16 to 18 major forts along the wall, depending on which source is consulted; furthermore, there were 81 smaller evenly dispersed milecastle forts, as well as about 160 watchtowers, the latter structures holding only eight men. The major forts typically held merely a cohort level troop strength, (Hutton, 1802) while the milecastle stations were garrisoned by roughly 100 defenders. These light troop numbers and use of auxiliaries underscore that the wall was built to inhibit immigration, rather than defend a massive invasion from the north.

SITE SPECIFIC FEATURES. Each reach of the wall holds its own unique features, associated with the local geography, agriculture and civilian settlements. The western fort of Banna, for example, is a good example of a turf fort that was later converted to stone construction; Banna is also noted for its elaborate nearby granaries. (Biggins, 1999). Vindolanda is a large fort immediately south of Hadrian's Wall (photo), which is noted for its extraordinary finds of hundreds of writing tablets and leather items; the written records preserved here by unusual subsurface chemistry are some of the oldest writings known in Britain. (Hogan, 2007) The Vercovicium fort on the Whin Sill is noted for being an integrated structure inside of the wall, whereas most forts extruded into barbarian territory; it also has best preserved Roman latrines Roman Britain. (Biggins, 2004) Cavalry forts were situated at either end of the wall, with Cilurnum at the River Tyne is the best preserved such fort; Cilurnum was dedicated to the goddess Disciplina (per stone inscription) and was manned by the first cohort of the Germanic Vangiones tribe for a time.

Stone inscriptions citing the provincial governor Nepos have been found at several of the forts including Condercum and Cawfields, the latter being another fort protruding south and noted for a very strong stonework south gate, whose foundations are fully in tact. Milecastle 38, Hotbank (photo), is noteworthy for the joint inscription bearing names of Hadrian and Nepos. Lime kiln remains are found at numerous points along the alignment, and their use is recorded specifically at Vindolanda.

REFERENCES
* Stephen Johnson (2004) "Hadrian's Wall", Sterling Publishing Company, Inc, 128 pages, ISBN 0713488409
* Thomas Brown (2006) "Celtic Roots", Trafford Publishing ISBN 1552125858
* Nic Fields (2003) "Hadrians Wall: 122-410 AD", Osprey Publishing, Great Britain, 64 pages ISBN 1841764302
* William Hutton (1802) "The History of the Roman Wall: Which Crosses the Island of Britain", J.Nichols and Son, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London, 350 pages
* Biggins, J. A. and Taylor, D. J. A. (1999) "A Survey of the Roman Fort and Settlement at Birdoswald, Cumbria", Britannia. 30. 91-110.
* C. Michael Hogan (2007) "Vindolanda Roman Fort", The Megalithic Portal ed. Andy Burnham
* Biggins, J. A. and Taylor, D. J. A., (2004) "A Geophysical Survey of Housesteads Roman Fort", Archaeologia Aeliana 33 51- 60.

The above is original work of C. Michael Hogan, prepared for the Megalithic Portal.

Note: A wonderful aerial view of the sycamore tree sadly chopped down by an idiot a few days ago
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 More pictures in our eGallery: Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by Humbucker : Sundown at The Temple of Mithras near Hadrians wall (Vote or comment on this photo)

Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39
Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39 submitted by Horatio : It's only just really hit me (24hrs later) the wanton vandalism of this 300 year old tree. I'm one of the lucky ones, as I visited it this year for the first time, little did I know that it wouldn't be standing just 3 months later. A sad state of affairs when someone for unknown but selfish reasons decides to destroy others peoples happiness. I see a lot of videos lately of people either climbi... (2 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39
Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39 submitted by johndhunter : Milecastle 39 (Castle Nick) at NY 76063 67736 – Approaching from the East, May 2012 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Hadrian's Wall (Turret 44b)
Hadrian's Wall (Turret 44b) submitted by Anne T : Standing almost at the western edge of the turret, with the crags dropping down sharply, just off shot to the left, looking north across the turret. Photo by Andrew T (Vote or comment on this photo)

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by johndhunter : Temple of Mithras - May 2012 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by Humbucker : Hadrians Wall looking west towards Walltown Crags (2 comments)

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by C_Michael_Hogan : Roman baths at Vindolanda Roman fort, an auxiliary defence of Hadrian's Wall.

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by johndhunter : Besides the northern wall of Housesteads Fort, looking easterly, May 2012

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by johndhunter : Above Sycamore Gap looking east towards Highshield Crags, May 2012. The expanse of water in this view is Crag Lough

Hadrian's Wall (Turret 44b)
Hadrian's Wall (Turret 44b) submitted by Anne T : Another view of turret 44b. "The south face of the Wall is exposed on either side of Turret 44B up to 1.6m high" - Pastscape 1009938. Photo by Andrew T (10 comments)

Hadrian's Wall (Chesters Bridge Abutment)
Hadrian's Wall (Chesters Bridge Abutment) submitted by Anne T : First view of the bridge abutment, having followed the track down from Chollerford Bridge then turned right (NNW) towards the river. At this point, the land slopes towards the river and there are various channels where the river used to fill. Note: the ground around the west, north and eastern side of the abutment is a ditch where the river would have covered during Roman times. It is now covered ...

Hadrian's Wall (Chesters Bridge Abutment)
Hadrian's Wall (Chesters Bridge Abutment) submitted by Anne T : A look at the western side of the bridge abutment, giving an idea of its substantial structure and size. Behind me is a huge store of blocks which have fallen from the structure over the years and have been placed neatly waiting for restoration at some point?

Hadrian's Wall (Brunton Turret)
Hadrian's Wall (Brunton Turret) submitted by Anne T : Walking east along with wall, from near its south western corner. The small structure in the right/foreground is the spring, which was flowing freely at the time of our visit. There were the remains of some stone slabs around where it emerged from the ground.

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by johndhunter : Heading towards Housesteads Roman Fort from Sewingshields Crags, May 2012

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by johndhunter : Hadrian's Wall – Looking East towards Sewingshields Crags, May 2012

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by jeffrep : Hadrian's Wall Between Housesteads and Steel Rigg, Northumberland.

Winshield Crag, Hadrian's Wall
Winshield Crag, Hadrian's Wall submitted by TimPrevett : Roman Gallery. Hail Mithras! The strengthening sun above Hadrian's Wall, with mist hanging over the lower land to the north. (2 comments)

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall submitted by TheCaptain : The wall is still patrolled by soldiers, 1900 years after construction. Stopping here for a break at Sycamore Gap. (3 comments)

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : Part of the granary system in the north western part of the site, showing the gaps in the wall and floor which allowed air to circulate.

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : The remains of the strong room, at the south western corner of the site.

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : The now dried up well, found to the east of the temples at the eastern side of the site.

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : Looking over the Commanding Officer's House in the Courtyard Building at the North Eastern side of the site.

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : The Corbridge Rock Art Panel sits in the middle of the wall on a section of the courtyard building within the fort. This view looks south to the River Tyne in the valley below.

Hadrian's Wall (Coria)
Hadrian's Wall (Coria) submitted by Anne T : Some of the granary structures in the north western part of the site.

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 952m W 259° Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 39* Stone Fort or Dun (NY76066773)
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 1.7km SE 129° Barcombe Hill Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (NY78306682)
 1.7km SSE 148° Long Stone (Barcombe Hill)* Ancient Cross (NY77896646)
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 2.4km E 79° Housesteads Tumulus* Artificial Mound (NY7938268330)
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"Hadrian's Wall" | Login/Create an Account | 5 News and Comments
  
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Re: Hadrian's Wall by Anne T on Monday, 04 February 2019
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The Journal of Antiquities features an entry for The Old Frontier (Hadrian’s Wall), Scottish Borders, United Kingdom, which quotes from the Autumn 2008 edition of the magazine ‘Beautiful Britain’. This edition includes "an excellent article by the author Jock McKinnon called ‘The Old Frontier’. In this article the author tours Hadrian’s Wall, the ancient Roman frontier that stretches from the Tyne in the east to the Solway Firth in the west, a distance of 80 Roman miles (73 normal British miles!), and he uncovers the history behind the Roman wall and its stones".

Source: McKinnon, Jock., The Old Frontier, Beautiful Britain, Vol 3 Number 3 Autumn 2008, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 2008.
[ Reply to This ]

Hadrian's wall experts mull removing illegal plaque by Sunny100 on Monday, 09 January 2012
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Click on the following BBC Cumbria link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-16467321
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Re: Hadrian's Wall by Anonymous on Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Who's the "Emperor Severan" you refer to? The Whin Sill isn't granite, it's dolerite. Your "fieldwork"? No evidence for that here - do you mean you've visited some of the sites, like thousands of other tourist?
"a substantial defensive ditch and rampart aided the military function" - wasn't THAT the Wall?

"Emperor Hadrian ordered" - we don't know what he ordered, only what was built. "The military strength of the wall was never garrisoned" - that's babble.
"this event further demonstrates that the wall itself was not intended to repel even a moderate scale attack" - it merely shows the wall was insufficiently garrisoned at the time.

"I was struck by the similarity in styles, both using undulating natural terrain and like scales of construction, with similar battlement geometry" - so you know what Hadrians Wall looked like when intact then? News to rhe rest of us.

If you HAD been to China, you'd have been struck by the fact that the Great Wall is many times more massive - nothing like Hadrian's Wall at all.The only thing they have in common is stone construction. A defensive wall HAS to use natural terrain, there's nothing else available.

"In the year 367, well after the more northern border was abandoned" - I'll say it was, 200 years well after.

"including a course of crenellated battlements" you're obviously privy to information denied to the rest of us, including distinguished archaeologists.

I don't think Hutton (1802) should be relied upon to provide any reliable analysis of Roman remains. he was an untrained amateur antiquarian. It was his erroneous interpretation of the Vallum and Wall that led him to postulate that Agricola built part of the Vallum. No one apart from you believes that today, but clearly you know better.

So Housesteads (Vercovicium) was "an integrated structure inside of the wall". Must have been a pretty small fort, the Wall is only 8 feet wide at that point.

"Cavalry forts were situated at either end of the wall, with Cilurnum at the River Tyne is the best preserved such fort" - that implies Cilurnum was situated at one end of the Wall.

Must do better - three out of ten.

[ Reply to This ]

Re: Hadrian's Wall by Anonymous on Sunday, 27 September 2009
Agricola's Ditch was the 18th/19th century name for the Vallum, which was buit after the wall was started. You quote Hutton - read it! There were 80 milecastles and 158 turrets. There were not, and are not, any "stone gates". The Picts and Scotti inhabited the area to the north of the Antonine Wall, not Hadrian's Wall. You quote (Johnson, 2004) - he makes that clear. There's no evidence whatsoever for "crenellated battlements".

That the milecastles were garrisoned by "100 defenders" is nonsense - they are around 20 yards square internally - room for two barracks each holding 10-15 men.

Banna wasn't a "turf fort" - it was a timber fort with a retaining turf rampart. The granaries weren't "nearby", they were IN the fort.

Cawfields in NOT a fort, it's a milecastle, No. 42.


A previously enthusiastic reader of "The Megalithic Portal"
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Re: Hadrian's Wall by Anonymous on Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Hello - thank you for the article. The article states that "Cilurnum was dedicated to the goddess Disciplina (per stone inscription)"

I am wondering, what did the stone inscription say, exactly, and what is its English translation? From another site I found:
"DISCIPVLINAE IMP HAD AVG ALA AVG OB VIRT APPEL"

Is this the same inscription to which you are referring?

Thank you.
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