Summary : Earthwork remains of two Roman barrows within Markham Cottage 1 Roman Camp. On the crest of a ridge and immediately to the north of the Stanegate as it crosses the south part of Markham Cottage 1 Roman Camp, the east end of one of the cemeteries associated with Great Chesters fort (Aesica) lies within the formers defences. Two certain barrows are those identified by Authority 1, and a further two lie without the camps western rampart, to the southwest of Markham Cottage. At least two dozen others, of which about ten survive, from the Four Laws cemetery (NY 76 NW 35 and 42), and spread over a total distance of 400 m as far west as NY 7040 6594. Full information is included in the NMR Archive. |
More information : The site lies alongside The Stanegate near Markham Cottage on Haltwhistle Common. Immediately beyond (North) of the Roman road a modern stone wall overlies the remains of a probable signal station very similar to that at Mains Rigg (NY 66 NW 15). Beyond (North-East) the probable Signal Station can be seen the circular remains of what is either a barrow or possibly an earlier signal tower, soon to be investigated by excavation. (1)
The distinctive "Petty Knowes" type of burial - a low central mound surrounded by a shallow circular ditch and outer bank, has so far been detected near few other forts in the frontier zone. Two or possibly three exist at Markham Cottage (apparently based on Authority 1 above, who is given as the reference). (2)
Authority 1's air photograph shows a ditched rectangular enclosure apparently with an external bank at approx NY 7080 6597. Approx 10-13 northeast of this is a circular ditch with an external bank and a small, central mound. Other possible barrows may be visible but none appears to be of "Petty Knowes type". (3)
See RCHME: 1:1000 survey of Markham Cottage NY 76 NW 14, Nov 1985 for full details. The square barrow was said by Jones to be a signal station, but this is unlikely. (4)
This site has been re-assessed in connnection with RCHME's survey and publication of Roman Camps in England. The following descriptive account is taken from the published text: On the crest of a ridge and immediately to the north of the Stanegate as it crosses the south part of Markham Cottage 1 Roman Camp, the east end of one of the cemeteries associated with Great Chesters fort (Aesica) lies within the formers defences. Two certain barrows are those identified by Authority 1, and a further two lie without the camps western rampart, to the southwest of Markham Cottage. At least two dozen others, of which about ten survive, from the Four Laws cemetery (NY 76 NW 35 and 42), and spread over a total distance of 400 m as far west as NY 7040 6594. Full information is included in the NMR Archive. (5)
The two barrows were recorded from aerial photographs at 1:10000 scale as part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site Mapping Project. (7) |