Roman camp, 290m north west of Seldom Seen

Reasons for Designation

Roman camps are rectangular or sub-rectangular enclosures which were constructed and used by Roman soldiers either when out on campaign or as practice camps; most campaign camps were only temporary overnight bases and few were used for longer periods. They were bounded by a single earthen rampart and outer ditch and in plan are always straight-sided with rounded corners. Normally they have between one and four entrances, although as many as eleven have been recorded. Such entrances were usually centrally placed in the sides of the camp and were often protected by additional defensive outworks. Roman camps are found throughout much of England, although most known examples lie in the midlands and north. Around 140 examples have been identified and, as one of the various types of defensive enclosure built by the Roman Army, particularly in hostile upland and frontier areas, they provide an important insight into Roman military strategy and organisation. The Roman camp 290m north west of Seldom Seen retains significant archaeological deposits, which will provide insight into the date and length of its occupation. It is part of the rich survival of Roman features in the area around Hadrian's Wall, which lies to the north. As such, it will contribute to our knowledge and understanding into the Roman military strategy of occupation in northern England.

Details

The monument includes the upstanding and buried remains of a Roman temporary camp, situated on an east-west ridge adjacent to Stanegate Roman road. The camp is visible as a rectangular shaped enclosure, within the slight earthwork remains of a rampart and outer ditch. The whole measures approximately 89m by 77m. On each of the four sides, the ramparts are broken by a single entrance with an average width of approximately 6.4m. The fort is overlain by medieval or post-medieval ridge and furrow.

SOURCES PastScape Monument No:-16302 NMR:- NY86NW4 Northumberland HER:- 7556

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

ND 363

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

End of official list entry

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