Winshields Milecastle on Hadrian's Wall, nr Cawburn, Northumberland

This is a reconstruction drawing of a length of Hadrian's Wall known as Winshields Wall. It is built along the Winshields Crags; the highest point on the Wall. Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans between AD122 -128. It stretched 117km across Northern England from the river Tyne to the Solway Firth. At every ‘Roman mile’ (approx 1.5 km) along the wall a mile castle was built. These were small forts for up to 50 men. Between each of these were two turrets. There were also at least 16 major forts such as Wallsend, Housesteads and Vindolanda on or near the wall. Around 2,000 soldiers were needed to patrol the wall. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).

Location

Northumberland Cawburn

Period

Roman (43 - 409)

Tags

english heritage wall tower attack defence archaeology reconstruction drawing