Description

The monument comprises the remains of a Roman temporary camp and a linear series of small quarry pits indicating the presence of a Roman road. The archaeological remains survive as buried features which are visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. The cropmarks identify all four sides of a camp, with one visible gate transverse (external protection for the gateway) on the SW side of the camp. The camp is approximately sub-rectangular in form and measures 465m from NE to SW by 400m transversely, enclosing an area of about 18ha. A series of quarry pits, aligned roughly NW to SE, lies immediately SW of the camp. About 49 pits are visible in total, ranging from 2m to 10m in diameter. Their linear nature and close spatial relationship with the camp strongly indicate the presence of a Roman road in its immediate vicinity. The camp is located on sloping ground, rising about 30m to 40m above sea level. It lies east of the Water of Luce, close to its confluence with the Solway Firth at Luce Sands.

The scheduled area is irregular on plan, to include the remains described above and an area around them within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduled area specifically excludes the above-ground elements of all post-and-wire fences, hedges and drystone dykes, to allow for their maintenance, and the large stone-filled quarry in the SE corner of the camp.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it has an inherent potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of the past, in particular, the construction, use and role of Roman temporary camps. Although no longer surviving as an upstanding earthwork, there is good potential for the presence of buried deposits in the ditch fills and a variety of features in the camp interior. The ditch deposits could include dateable organic remains and artefactual evidence relating to the occupation of the camp. Within the camp, there is high potential for the survival of occupation evidence in the form of rubbish pits, latrine pits, bread ovens and other remains, which can enhance our understanding of the organisation of the camps and the lives of Roman soldiers in the field. Organic evidence from the fills of the ditch enclosing the camp may also provide information about the environment and local land-use at the time of the camp's construction. Spatial analysis of this camp and the adjacent road with other Roman camps and roads in northern Britain could improve our knowledge of Roman military strategy and offer insights into the effects of the Roman occupation on the local Iron Age landscape of the time. The loss of the monument would affect our understanding of the construction and use of temporary camps by the Roman army and our knowledge of Roman military structure, economy and social practice.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NX15NE 72 Glenluce Roman temporary camp. The Dumfries and Galloway HER has given the monument the reference number MDG9248.

Aerial photographs used:

D14266, D14267, D14268, C41899, C41900, C41901, C41902, C41903, B72845CN, B72846CN, B72847CN, B72848CN, B72849CN, D74150, D74151, D74152, B79944, B79945, B79946, B79947, B79948, B79949, B79950, B79951, B84409CS, B84410CS, B84411CS. Copyright RCAHMS.

References

Keppie, L J F 1993, 'Roman Britain in 1992. I Sites explored. 2. Scotland', Britannia 24, 281.

Jones, R H 2011, Roman Camps in Scotland, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 217.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland