More information : (SD 47336202) Roman Fort (R) (site of) (NAT) (1)
SD 474620. Roman auxiliary fort at Lancaster. Excavation on the Castle Hill/Vicarage Field area at intervals between 1927 and 1975 revealed a complex sequence of structures indicating rebuilding of the fort on at least six occasions; pottery and coins recovered show occupation to after AD 400.
Features of the earliest, probably Agricolan fort, including a turf rampart and intervallum road, were discovered. A fragmentary building inscription showed that the fort was rebuilt in Trajan's reign, and other inscriptions found showed that Lancaster supported a cavalry garrison. Timber buildings of the Antonine period, destroyed by fire, were found on the north slopes of the hill, overlying which were 3rd century stone structures identified as the Principia, part of the granaries, barrack blocks and a courtyard house with adjoining bath house. The Wery Wall, the only visible remains of the fort, represents contraction and the rebuilding of a Saxon Shore type fort, covering approximately 9 acres, after AD 367.
The visible earthworks in Vicarage Field were proved to be Medieval and were probably connected with the Priory (SD 46 SE 26) or the Castle (SD 46 SE 23). Authority 6 visited the site in 1953 when he reported that there was no trace of any Roman buildings in the Vicarage Field area. The only earthworks consisted of two parallel ramparts, centred at SD 47346205, running east to west for a distance of approximately 70.0 metres before forming an obtuse angle and running in a south west direction for a distance of approximately 70.0 metres. A hollow way ran from SD 47346206 in a north direction for approximately 50.0 metres.
A 10th century sceatta was found on Castle Hill in 1975. (2-6)
Further excavations in Vicarage Field and at 12 Castle Park revealed no structural features but Roman pottery of the 4th century was recovered. (7)
(SD 474618) Excavation in 1974 on the Mitres Yard Site revealed the incurving butt-ends of four ditches, two primary and two secondary, outside the east gate of the fort. (See SD 46 SE 48 map,site B) (8)
A milestone of Hadrian (119-138 A.D.), found 4 miles ENE of Lancaster, ends its text with L MP IIII, interpreted as 'from L - 4 miles'. It is suggested that the letter represents the beginning of the Roman name for the fort at Lancaster. (9)
SD 47356200. Lancaster Roman fort, constructed during the last quarter of the 1st century AD and abandoned in the early 5th century. Evidence suggests that the first fort dates from circa 80 AD. The fort was remodelled later in the 1st century and then briefly abandoned, before being reoccupied very early in the 2nd century. Further remodelling included the addition of a stone revetment wall to the existing defences. A sequence of temporary abandonment and reoccupation followed. In circa 330 a major new fort was constructed on a different alignment. The structural evidence suggests that this was a Saxon Shore fort construction and the coin and pottery evidence indicates that it remained in use until the early years of the 5th century. The only surviving upstanding fragment of this structure is a section of masonry known as the Wery Wall (See SD 46 SE 21), which represents the core of an external bastion. Scheduling amended. (10)
Medieval earthworks in Vincarage Field described by authorities (2-6) above are now recorded as UID 1485180. |