More information : [NY 704668 - NY 740688] Roman Aqueduct [G.S.] (Course of) [T.I] [Five Times.] (1)
Natural hindrances necessitated the construction of a very circuitous leet, almost six miles long to supply water for the Ro. fort of Aesica. The leet started at Saughy Rigg Washpool [NY 741688] on the Caw Burn, and crossed the dry valley at Benks Bridge [NY 707685] where a raised work in timber or masonry must have existed. The last half mile of the course north of the fort, is unknown. (2)
The remains are visible for most of the course as a shallow dry leet following the contours. See Map Diagram for course and comments. (3)
This feature was field-walked in 1971 by members of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, and their findings agreed with those of AO field invetigation in 1966. They point out, however, that from a consideration of the levels, it is doubtful if the aqueduct terminated inside the fort; possibly it emptied into the north ditch. (4)
A full resurvey of the Great Chesters Aqueduct was undertaken in the winter of 1987-1988. For detailed description see account deposited in the NAR Archive Collection, UID 621954. (5)
A summary of the findings of the survey occurs in Britannia, 21, 1990 , 285-90 (6)
The course of the aqueduct was mapped at a scale of 1:10000 from aerial photographs as part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site Mapping Project. As commented in (5) the western extremity of the aqueduct as it approaches Great Chesters fort cannot be traced on the ground, but can be traced as a soilmark on aerial photographs between NY 7083 6739 and NY 7049 6718. A possible continuation, less certain, may be visible as a soilmark further west between NY 7044 6712 and NY 7037 6697. (7-8)
At NY 725 684 the aqueduct cuts through fields of prehistoric cord rig (NY 76 NW 266). (9)
Recent photography by T.Gates provide good illustrations of the aqueduct. (10-19)
Documented. (20)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (21)
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