Description

The monument comprises a Roman temporary camp and enclosure of probable late 1st century AD date, visible on oblique aerial photographs. The monument is situated in flat pasture and arable fields at about 10m O.D. The camp covers an area of approximately 116 acres and is rhomboidal rather than rectangular on plan, with axial dimensions of about 659m N-S by 698m E-W.

No extant earthworks remain but air reconnaissance has revealed the greater part of the E, S & N sides and considerable lengths of the W side. Two gates with titula (short straight lengths of ditch protecting the entrance) entrances are visible on the S side while the N side clearly had two gates: the westernmost being proved by excavation.

The E and W sides each had a solitary central gate. Excavation of a ditch section on the S side yielded a minute fragment of South Gaulish Samian pottery which dates to the late 1st century AD. A small square enclosure, measuring c. 30m by 30m, is present set within the NW angle of the camp perimeter, with the N side of the enclosure formed by the camp's ditch; the relationship between the two is unknown, but they appear to be contemporary.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related material may be expected to be found. It is irregular in shape, and measures overall up to 760m NNW-SSE by 809m WSW-ENE.

The edges are defined in parts by existing field boundaries, drains and tracks, themselves excluded from the scheduling, as marked in red on the accompanying map extract. Modern above ground features such as pylons, electricity and telephone poles, and post-and-wire fences are also excluded from the scheduling.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance as an example of a Roman temporary camp which has the potential to enhance greatly our understanding of the Roman military presence in Scotland. Its importance is increased by its proximity to other monuments of potentially contemporary date.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NO 11 NE 27 and 67.

Aerial Photographs used:

CUCAP (1971) A35690/PO.

RCAHMS (1976) PT/4584.

RCAHMS (1978) PT/5935.

RCAHMS (1981) PT/8556.

RCAHMS (1981) PT/8552.

References:

St. Joseph, J. K. (1973) 'Air Reconnaissance in British, 1969-72', Journal of Roman Studies, 63 (1973), 214-46.

St. Joseph, J. K. (1974) 'Abernethy, Roman camp', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland (1974), 52.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland