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.
All well-preserved examples are identified as being of national importance.
Details
The monument includes a Roman temporary camp situated near the end of a level
promontory effected by the confluence of the Longtae Burn and Trouty Sike; the
camp lies 40m north of the Roman branch road which connects the fort of High
Rochester with Dere Street, the Roman road from Corbridge to Newstead in
Scotland. The camp, roughly rectangular in shape with rounded corners,
measures a maximum of 140m north-south by 146m east-west within a substantial
rampart 3m wide and up to 1m in height. There is a 3m wide external ditch on
all sides except the north. Gateways are located in the north, east and
south sides but it is not clear whether there is a gateway on the west side.
The gateways in the north and east sides are each located slightly off-centre.
All three gateways are protected externally by a detached length of rampart
and ditch known as a traverse, placed across it at a distance and blocking the
direct line of access into the camp. There are no features visible on the
ground within the camp but traces of occupation will be preserved beneath
ground level. The camp dates from the Roman occupation of Britain in the first
century AD. It is large enough to have been used periodically on a temporary
basis by soldiers advancing northwards and by smaller groups engaged in
routine maintenance.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20920
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
