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<< Our Photo Pages >> Carrawburgh Roman Fort - Stone Fort or Dun in England in Northumberland

Submitted by Anne T on Tuesday, 12 September 2023  Page Views: 2780

Multi-periodSite Name: Carrawburgh Roman Fort Alternative Name: Brocolitia; Procolitia
Country: England County: Northumberland Type: Stone Fort or Dun
Nearest Town: Hexham  Nearest Village: Chollerford / Simonburn
Map Ref: NY85917117
Latitude: 55.034847N  Longitude: 2.221984W
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
2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 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.
4 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
5

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Anne T visited on 23rd Jun 2019 - their rating: Cond: 2 Access: 4 Carrawburgh Roman Fort/Brocolitia: When I last came here in 2014 there was a £4 charge for the car park which allowed you to also park at Housesteads and at other car parks at locations along the wall. Today, the machine has been upgraded and it is £1 for up to one hour. Other charges apply beyond that time. Having been to the Sill and paid to park there, we thought that charge covered this car park as well, but we had no receipt to leave in the car, so we paid our £1 again. The sign at the entrance to the fort reads: “Carrawburgh (Procolitia) AD 134-383. Garrisoned successively by the Aquitani, Cugerni and, in the third century, the Batavi; infantry units 500 strong. This was the last fort to be added to Hadrian’s Wall and obliterates the vallum. / Permissable access to the fort. No access to the trail. Please do not leave litter or disturb the cattle and sheep. Dogs to be kept on a lead. J. du Cane. Freeholder.” The earthworks are nowhere near as impressive as the remains of Great Chesters Rman fort, further to the west, but it is a sizeable fort. We walked around the eastern, southern and western sides of the earthworks; some remains of the ramparts on the western side remains. We needed to walk back to the south eastern corner to go through the gate to the path down to the Temple of Mithras. On our way back, Andrew went off the track to try and find a tumulus nearby. This had all but disappeared and we were unable to locate it, but we came across a spring, marked by a wooden post (as Robin Hood’s Well in Chollerton), with large stones and boulders piled up around a drinking trough. The spring is marked on the HE map of the area but no formal records of it (for photos see my separate entry below).

Temple of Mithras (Carrawburgh)
Temple of Mithras (Carrawburgh) submitted by johndhunter : Temple of Mithras - May 2012 (Vote or comment on this photo)
The substantial earthwork remains of this Roman fort along Hadrian's Wall, measuring 450ft north-south by 350ft east-west, enclosing some 1.4 hectares. It may have been built as late as 130-132 AD. Located just to the south west of the fort is a fascinating temple to the god Mithras, built by the soldiers around AD 200.

J. Collingwood Bruce, in his book 1863 "The Roman Wall" (reprinted 1947, page 100) tells us that "the site of this fort is all desolation, but its herbage, especially in winter, has the usual richness of a Roman site. It is about three miles and a half from Chesters …. It's ancient name was Procolitia and it was garrisoned by the First cohort of Batavians in the third and fourth centuries and earlier by the First cohort of Cugernians and the First cohort of Aquitanians".

"The fort stands out boldly from the surrounding turf as a platform outlined by its ramparts … the positions of the east, south and west gateways are clearly discernible, with the south guard chamber of the last". The northern part of the fort lies underneath the modern road.

To the west of the fort is a vicus, recorded as Pastscape Monument No. 1013365. A 1984 survey reported: "On the Western side, six terraces with scarps up to 2.1m high have been cut into the slope parallel to the fort defences, and apparently overlying the Northern halves of all but one of the ditches. Like the fort itself, the stone buildings of the vicus have been badly robbed". The vicus extended some 60m from the outer rampart. Some buildings had also previously been noted on the southern side.

Recorded as Pastscape Monument No. 16704. It is also scheduled as Historic England List ID 1015914 (Carrawburgh Roman fort and Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the field boundary east of the fort and the field boundary west of Coventina's Well in wall mile 31).


Note: The Mystery of Mithraism; The Temple at Carrawburgh Fort, Saturday 16th Sept 2023
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Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Antonine : Carrawburgh Fort at Bricolitia is one of sixteen forts along Hadrian’s Wall. Photo at sunset, August 27th, 2023 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Antonine : Photo taken August 2023 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Antonine (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Antonine : Carrawburgh Fort, overgrown, August 2023 (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Anne T : After walking round the outer banks of the fort, we went in search of a tumulus to the south east of the earthworks. We didn't find the tumulus, but we did find a spring at NY 86079 71106. This is marked on the HE map, but there are no formal records for it. Just to its east is a large channel for what must be a substantial stream which has flowed in the past. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Anne T : Standing half way along the western bank of the fort, looking west over the guard chamber of the west gate. What survives of the outer ramparts are just visible beyond the western bank. The vicus is said to extend 60m from the outer rampart on this side of the fort.

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Anne T : Looking west along the southern bank, with the Temple of Mithras just about visible at the centre/left of the photo. Whilst the top of the bank here looks largely flat and grassy, there are some medium sized boulders just under the surface. The sign at the entrance to the fort from the car park reads: "Carrawburgh (Procolitia) AD 134-383. Garrisoned successively by the Aquitani, Cugerni and, i...

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Anne T : Standing half way along the eastern bank of the fort, looking at its south eastern corner. Pastscape tells us the fort measures some 450ft north-south by 350ft east-west.

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by Anne T : Standing at the northern end of the eastern side of the fort, looking south. Whilst only now surviving as an earthwork, with some masonry visible in the western bank, the fort encloses an area of 1.4 hectares.

Carrawburgh Roman Fort
Carrawburgh Roman Fort submitted by johndhunter : Signpost at the entrance to the fort taken in May 2012 – The sign post tells us that it was successively garrisoned by the Aquitani (from present day south west France), Cugerni (from present day Xanten on the Rhine) and in the third century Batavi (from the present day Dutch Rhine Delta) infantry units some 500 strong, It also tells us that it was built after the Wall on the infilled Vallum. (...

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 117m SSW 198° Temple of Mithras (Carrawburgh)* Ancient Temple (NY8587471059)
 151m W 262° Coventina's Well* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY85767115)
 1.1km ESE 116° South Carrawbrough Enclosure* Misc. Earthwork (NY86927067)
 1.9km SSE 153° Greyside Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (NY8677269478)
 2.5km NNW 335° Fenwick Fell Field B* Rock Art (NY8488373433)
 2.5km NNW 336° Fenwick Fell Cairn* Cairn (NY8488873437)
 2.5km NNW 335° Fenwick Fell Field A* Rock Art (NY8488373436)
 2.5km NNE 27° St. Mungo's Well (Simonburn)* Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NY87097342)
 2.7km NNE 26° St Mungo's Church* Ancient Cross (NY8709573562)
 2.8km E 101° Walwick Fell* Ancient Village or Settlement (NY88647065)
 2.9km WSW 238° Howden Hill 3* Rock Art (NY8346569681)
 3.0km WSW 242° Howden Hill Middle Cairn* Cairn (NY8325469756)
 3.0km ESE 107° Walwick Cairn and stone* Artificial Mound (NY8880170304)
 3.0km WSW 242° Howden Hill Western Cairn* Cairn (NY8322469751)
 3.1km N 350° Mount Farm (Simonburn)* Rock Art (NY8539974180)
 3.1km ESE 121° Carr Hill 14* Rock Art (NY8854769589)
 3.1km ESE 121° Carr Hill 15* Rock Art (NY8855369588)
 3.1km ESE 121° Carr Hill 12 Rock Art (NY8854869571)
 3.1km ESE 121° Carr Hill F* Rock Art (NY8856169552)
 3.1km ESE 121° Carr Hill g Rock Art (NY8856669552)
 3.1km ESE 120° Carr Hill 11 Rock Art (NY8861269593)
 3.1km WSW 242° Howden Hill 2* Rock Art (NY8313769688)
 3.1km WSW 242° Howden Hill 1* Rock Art (NY8313769687)
 3.2km WSW 242° Howden Hill Cist* Cist (NY8310469692)
 3.2km ESE 122° Carr Hill h Rock Art (NY8860469490)
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The Mystery of Mithraism; The Temple at Carrawburgh Fort, Saturday 16th Sept 2023 by Andy B on Wednesday, 06 September 2023
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As one of 16 forts positioned along Hadrian’s Wall, Carrawburgh Roman Fort once housed approximately 500 soldiers. The soldiers built the nearby Temple of Mithras. Today, the temple evokes interest and mystery amongst visitors and locals alike.

Carrawburgh Roman Fort was begun around AD 122 and housed a garrison of approximately 500 soldiers – first from south-west France, later from southern Belgium – responsible for defending the frontier of the Roman Empire. Occupying an area of 1.4 hectares on a slightly raised natural terrace, overlooking the Northumberland National Park, Carrawburgh sits between the Roman cavalry fort at Chesters and the infantry fortress at Housesteads.

Nearby stands the fascinating temple to the god Mithras, built by the soldiers of Carrawburgh. Mithraism was a Roman religion inspired by a god originally worshipped in the eastern Empire. According to legend, Mithras captured and killed a sacred bull in a cave, which Mithraic temples were intended to evoke. The temple was probably built by soldiers at the fort around AD 200 and destroyed about AD 350. Three altars found here (replicas stand in the temple) were dedicated by commanding officers of the unit stationed here, the First Cohort of Batavians from the Rhineland.

We are delighted to give visitors the opportunity to delve deeper into the story of Mithras by offering a one-off guided talk of the site, led by our knowledgeable volunteer explainers. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
Saturday 16 September: 12:00 midday
No booking required

Access: The site is reached through a field, parts of which are uneven and can become muddy. Not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Please be aware that the site is also prone to flooding in wet weather. Parking: There is a Northumberland National Parks car park at the site. Charges apply. Please be aware: Farm livestock is likely to be present.,

Please meet for 12:00 beside the entrance gate to the site, located in the car park. Contact for the day: English Heritage Customer Services: 0370 333 1181
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/temple-of-mithras-carrawburgh-hadrians-wall/
More: www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/the-mystery-of-mithraism-the-temple-of-mithras-at-carrawburgh-roman-fort
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Carrawburgh Roman Fort by Anne T on Sunday, 23 June 2019
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The sign at the entrance to the fort reads:
“Carrawburgh (Procolitia)
AD 134-383.
Garrisoned successively by the Aquitani, Cugerni and, in the third century, the Batavi; infantry units 500 strong. This was the last fort to be added to Hadrian’s Wall and obliterates the vallum.
Permissable access to the fort. No access to the trail. Please do not leave litter or disturb the cattle and sheep. Dogs to be kept on a lead.
J. du Cane. Freeholder.”
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Carrawburgh Roman Fort by johndhunter on Saturday, 22 June 2019
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Anne - Should I still do a seperate site page for the Temple of Mithras at the fort or will you incorporate it with the fort ( they are interlinked) or leave it to you anyway. I had started on a site page for the Temple so could finish it if required but don't want to get at cross purposes here.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Carrawburgh Roman Fort by Anne T on Saturday, 22 June 2019
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    Hi, John, Apologies for any duplication and if I've caused you additional work. Sort of picking up on your comment about you only having a general interest Roman sites, and because my husband and I thought it would be nice to go back in the next week or so, I went ahead and created a page for the Temple of Mithras earlier today before creating this page for the fort (see the 'nearby sites' list below for the temple). I've added some of my own photos of the temple from 2014 and also moved your photograph from the general Hadrian's Wall site page and made it the main PID for the temple.

    I decided to add two separate site pages for the fort and the temple, even though they are next to each other, as they are very different structures (one being an earthwork, the other the remains of a building) and Pastscape records them separately. Funnily enough, English Heritage has a visitors web page for the temple but not the fort. Coventina's Well, also nearby, already has its own separate page.

    If you have any additional information for the either the temple and the fort, I'd love to see it so it can be incorporated.

    I've noticed there are a few other photos of different parts of the Wall coming through from other contributors, most of which will also need separate site pages as they are in very different locations along the wall. I had thought of working my way along my map of Hadrian's Wall, but can only add a couple of sites at a time at the moment, so any help you'd like to give would be extremely welcome (or anyone else who'd like to help, of course!). [I'll delete these comments once this is all sorted - thanks for the help and interest]
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Carrawburgh Roman Fort by johndhunter on Saturday, 22 June 2019
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      Hi Anne – That’s fine and its not that I have a particular dislike for the Roman Period, I have an interest in all things historical, its just that I am more enthused by other periods. Also I like to double check things , if there is something I don’t understand or I am not I am sure about I like go and have a look for myself and Hadrian's Wall is a bit out of my way these days. To give an example: Once I took an interest in the Chambered Cairn on Great Ayton Moor I went and looked several times before posting my comments
      [ Reply to This ]

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