More information : (NZ 2506 6387) Pons Aelius Roman fort Site used for Norman castle see NZ 26 SE 64. (1)
The Roman fort at Newcastle upon Tyne was recorded in the Notitia Dignitatum as "Ponte Aeli" (2). Excavations to define its limits were undertaken by F G Simpson in 1928-9 who revealed the south and west walls of the commandant's house with hypocaust, outside the Medieval keep. The earliest features appeared to be the foundations of three walls, probably associated with a flagged floor beneath the hypocaust, on which lay a Hadrianic Samian bowl. The building provided evidence that the early period had ended in burning, followed by a later rebuilding on a different plan, and then alterations to the rebuild. The V-shaped south ditch of the fort was traced parallel to the commandant's house by limited excavation shafts in Castle Garth (NZ 2505 6384). Roman walling stones, probably from the fort wall, roofing tiles, post 2nd century mortarium and a scrap of leather were also found. The possible line of the west ditch was traced behind Clavering House (circa NZ 249 638) where a 4ft layer of mixed dark soil contained Roman pottery; above which was a layer of fallen stones, including Roman walling stones and pottery sherds (see also NZ 26 SW 25 -? Roman ditches etc). At the top of Dog Leap Stairs (NZ 2505 6392) a layer of dark soil containing three Roman pottery sherds and an Anglian bead (see NZ 26 SE 26) was assumed to be "near the north-east angle of the fort". F G Simpson concluded on this evidence that a small bridgehead fort of about 2 acres, with long axis E-W, housing about 250 men and similar in shape and size to Drumburgh fort (NY 25 NE 8) probably existed here (3a and b). An area of laid Roman flagstones dated by 2nd century pottery was seen during excavations near the south curtain wall of the castle (NZ 2508 6382) in 1960-1. A layer of black clay above the flagstones also contained 2nd-4th century pottery (3c). A small portion of a north-south Roman (intervallum?) road was discovered in 1973 during excavations at the Black Gate. A rough drain beside the kerb contained late 2nd-3rd century pottery and the layer above the road contained material dating up to the late 4th century (3d). (See Lin 100 - Hadrian's Wall map strips W1/17-18 for individual positions of discoveries). Several Roman altars - see NZ 26 SW 24, NZ 26 SE 29, NZ 26 SE 30, NZ 26 SE 56 and dedication slab - NZ 26 SE 31 found in the proximity could suggest a temple or shrine site at Pons Aelius fort, although not mentioned by Lewis in 'Roman Temples in Britain' 1966. (2-3)
No further siting evidence, the presumed area occupied by the fort is completely built-up. Name 'PONS AELIVS' accepted for 4th Edition RB map. (4)
Partial excavation within the Roman fort in 1978 revealed the following sequence : Roman Phase 1 - A buttressed grannary, 6.52m wide overall with 3 longitudinal sleeper walls. A few fragments of pottery associated with this building were of late 2nd or early 3rd century date. To the N. of the granary was an ash pit, stone lined flue and a level area, probably an open yard. The remains of a road passed the East end of the granary. Roman Phase 2 - E-W road along the S. wall of the granary built over earlier wall. Roman Phase 3 - a period of dereliction probably, on the evidence of the pottery during the second half of the 3rd century. Roman Phase 4 - Reoccupation of the site in the 4th century when E-W road was made up over the lower courses of the granary and a drain leading to a tank cut through the granary. Roman or Post Roman - The foundations of a structure built of massive stone blocks of irregular size, were found on top of the E-W road. There were no associated finds. (5)
Pons Aelii or Pons Aelius - The Roman fort at Newcastle upon Tyne. (6)
I prefer Pons Aelii to Pons Aelius, but it doesn't matter. (7)
The excavation noted by Authority 5 continued, revealing pre-fort features; the late second or early third century headquarters building with strongroom, and an inscription to Julia Domna; later alterations, including the re-building of the commanding officer's house, the replacement of buildings on the east side of the north end of the via praetoria and the removal of the west granary; and the post-Roman re-use of the site as a Christian cemetery. (8)
Following the completion of these excavations the position of some of the fort's internal buildings have been marked out on the pavement to the west of the Keep. (9)
Site now forms part of a scheduling which includes the tower keep detailed in record NZ 26 SE 64. (10)
Further discussions of the results of excavations since 1976, including excavations at Clavering Place and Bottlebank, Gateshead in 2000-2009 which found evidence for Roman occupation contemporary with the Fort. Publications on these investigations are forthcoming. (11)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (12)
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