Reasons for Designation
Roman fortresses are rectangular defensive sites which served as permanent
bases for Roman legions. They are typical of Roman military installations in
terms of the shape and design of defensive and internal structures but are
distinguished by their large size. They were defined by a fortified rampart,
which was originally crowned by a parapet and walkway of wood or stone, and an
outer ditch separated from the rampart by a berm. They contained a variety of
buildings in accordance with their military, domestic and administrative
requirements.
Roman fortresses were constructed soon after the invasion of AD 43. No new
sites were established after AD 78. In general Roman fortresses were occupied
for no more than a few decades, with the exception of the fortresses of York
and Chester which continued in use until the late fourth or early fifth
century. They are rare nationally with only five sites recorded in England. As
one of a small group of Roman military monuments which are important in
representing army strategy and Roman government policy, all examples of Roman
fortresses with surviving archaeological potential are considered to be
nationally important.
Details
The monument includes the buried remains of Farnsfield Roman camp. The site is
situated on the summit of a broad ridge and affords open views of the
surrounding landscape except to the south where visibility is restricted
by a ridge less than half a kilometre away.
No upstanding remains survive but the buried remains of the monument show
clearly as a crop mark on aerial photographs. The camp is sub-rectangular in
plan measuring between 206m and 218m north east to south west by 182m to 186m
north west to south east.
The camp is defined by a ditch which encloses an area of approximately 3.9ha.
Access would have been gained through entrances in the north east and south
west sides. Excavation of a section of the north east side revealed a gate
approximately 7.5m wide. The ditch, which is`V' shaped in profile, measures
2.8m wide and 1.8m deep with a cleaning slot 0.1m wide at the bottom.
Excavation also revealed the remains of an internal bank which, set back from
the ditch by 0.3m, had an unusual base formed by filling a shallow trench
with gravel. The bank itself was constructed of turves and the base of the
internal edge defined by a line of pebbles. At the entrance the bank extended
just under 1m beyond the end of the ditch, reducing the width of the gate to
about 5.75m.
All modern fences and the surface of Longland Lane are excluded from the
scheduling, although the ground beneath these is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
29927
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
