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 camp situated on the haugh between Sills Burn to
the east and Dere Street, the Roman road from Corbridge to Newstead in
Scotland. The camp is rectangular in shape with rounded corners and measures a
maximum of 75m east-west by 220m north-south within an earthen bank 3.5m wide
and 1.5m above the bottom of an external ditch 3.5m wide. A substantial part
of the eastern side of the camp has been levelled by ploughing. Gateways are
located in the north and south sides protected by external claviculae, an
extension of the rampart which curves inwards and blocks the direct line of
access into the camp. Roman camps with this form of defensive gateway are
more common in the first century AD and this one is large enough to have been
used on a temporary basis by groups advancing northwards and also by smaller
groups engaged in routine maintenance.
The fence line which clips the south eastern corner of the monument is
excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
20948
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
