Description

The monument is a Roman fortlet, a military base onstructed and used by the Roman army during its occupations of southern Scotland from the first to the third centuries AD. The monument was originally scheduled in 1961 but the designation did not accurately conform to the areas of archaeological interest. The current rescheduling rectifies this.

The monument lies at around 370m OD on a south-facing slope adjacent to the Redshaw Burn, where it commands a view down the narrow valley of the Evan Water. The fortlet lies immediately to the S of a Roman road, the main route connecting the western side of Scotland with the large military base at Carlisle. The fortlet measures a maximum of around 20m E-W by 17.5m N-S internally. A rampart surviving up to 5.5m wide and 0.3m high defines the site, with double ditches adding to the defences on the E and S sides. Erosion from the adjacent burn has confused the remains on the W but it would appear that only the inner ditch continued on this side of the fort, with the steep slopes of the burn providing additional natural defence. The 4m wide entrance to the fortlet is on the N side.

Traces of a possible access track from the fortlet to the Roman road have been recorded, but this element has been cut by a bank and ditch. This feature is aligned roughly E-W and is situated approximately 15m to the N of the fortlet. The defensive ditches of the fortlet on its E side have been cut to run N towards the bank and ditch, creating an annex to the N of the entrance. This area could have provided security and shelter for additional troops, horses and equipment, or for travellers using the road.

The area to be scheduled is irregular on plan, measuring a maximum of 80m E-W by 85m N-S as shown in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of Roman military organisation and architecture, and the relationship between the Roman military and civilians. The fortlet has not been excavated and therefore will retain its archaeological information undisturbed. The fact that this site also forms part of a major communications network further enhances its importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography
No Bibliography entries for this designation

Canmore

https://canmore.org.uk/site/48503/

Source: Historic Environment Scotland