Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Benwell Roman Fort
Hob Uid: 25041
Location : Newcastle upon Tyne Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : NZ2158064770
Summary : The site of Benwell (CONDERCUM) Roman fort, part of the defences on Hadrian's Wall. It was occupied from circa 122 AD to the 4th century. It covered an area of 5.6 acres including the ramparts. A hypocaust and a sandstone altar was found in 1937 while road-making on Benwell Park Estate. This site is now partially covered by a modern reservoir and a housing estate. Various watching briefs have shown that extensive remains of the fort are extant, often at only 0.4 metres below ground level.
More information : NZ 21587 64771: Condercum Roman Fort [GSC] (Site of) NZ 21638 64761: Hypocaust [GSC] (Site of) (1) The fort measured 581feet by 417 feet, giving an area of 5.6 acres including the ramparts. It was constructed between AD 122 and circa 124 and occupied until the fourth century. The northern third is entirely below a reservoir and the remainder is covered by a housing estate. Examination in 1926-9, 1938 and 1958 established the position of the ramparts and many of the internal structures. Two ditches were found outside the ramparts on the east and west sides but only one in the south. See plan (4). (2-4) No visible remains. (5) A sandstone altar was found in 1937 in road-making on Benwell Park Estate, SW of the Headquarters Building of the fort. It reads:- MINIIRVAE PRIMUS and has been presented to the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne. (6) Name 'CONDERCVM' accepted for 4th. edition R.B.Map. Condercum - The Roman fort at Benwell. (7) A pipe trench dug in 1990 revealed part of the double-granary excavated in 1937 (Authority 4), furnishing some new details concerning the form of the building; the length of the granary was at least 34.75m but its northern end was demolished during the Roman period; the structural similarities with the granaries at Haltonchesters (NY 96 NE 2) and Rudchester (NZ 16 NW 11) are discussed. (8) Survey of the extent and preservation of the known archaeological deposits of the fort and its environs. (9) Various watching briefs have shown that extensive remains of the fort are extant, often at only 0.4 metres below ground level. (10) Several depictions of Benwell Roman features from the James Irwin Coates Archive. (11) Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (12)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
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Source details : 1:1250 1959
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Handbook to the Roman Wall 12th edn 1966 (J Collingwood Bruce)
Page(s) : 48-56
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Source Number : 11
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Page(s) : 12
Figs. : 15-17
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Source Number : 12
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : (JA Petch)
Page(s) : 135-192
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Vol(s) : 4, 1927

Source Number : 4
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Page(s) : Jan-43
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Vol(s) : 19, 1941

Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 RWE 04-JAN-68
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Source Number : 6
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Page(s) : 151
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Vol(s) : 48, 1958

Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 316
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Source Number : 8
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Page(s) : 41-5
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Vol(s) : 19

Source Number : 9
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Source Number : 10
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Page(s) : 90-1
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Circa 122 AD/C4
Monument End Date : 399
Monument Start Date : 122
Monument Type : Fort, Hypocaust
Evidence : Sub Surface Deposit, Find

Components and Objects:

Period : Roman
Component Monument Type : Fort, Hypocaust
Object Type : ALTAR
Object Material :

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : TW 28
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 26 SW 8
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1751-01-01
End Date : 1751-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1926-01-01
End Date : 1929-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1930-01-01
End Date : 1930-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1937-01-01
End Date : 1937-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1939-01-01
End Date : 1939-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1950-01-01
End Date : 1959-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1968-01-04
End Date : 1968-01-04

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1986-01-01
End Date : 1986-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1988-01-01
End Date : 1993-08-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1990-01-01
End Date : 1990-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2005-01-01
End Date : 2005-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2007-01-01
End Date : 2007-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 2009-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Benwell Roman Fort