Milecastle 50TW

Last updated

Milecastle 50TW
Reconstruction of Hadrian's wall - geograph.org.uk - 407926.jpg
A reconstruction of a turf wall milecastle gateway at Vindolanda
Cumbria UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Cumbria
Type Milecastle
Place in the Roman world
Province Britannia
Structure
— Wood and turf structure —
Size and area22.12 m × 16.76 m (0.04 ha)
Location
Coordinates 54°59′08″N2°36′56″W / 54.985551°N 2.615428°W / 54.985551; -2.615428 Coordinates: 54°59′08″N2°36′56″W / 54.985551°N 2.615428°W / 54.985551; -2.615428
CountyCumbria
CountryEngland
Reference
UK-OSNG reference NY60716583

Milecastle 50TW (High House) was a milecastle on the Turf Wall section of Hadrian's Wall (grid reference NY60716583 ). The milecastle is located close to the Birdoswald Roman Fort and is unique in that it was not replaced by a stone milecastle when the turf wall was upgraded to stone, the replacement wall instead running some 200m to the north. The milecastle was partially demolished by the Romans after it was abandoned. The milecastle was excavated in 1934 and several Roman rubbish pits discovered. The remains of the two turrets associated with this milecastle (which were demolished when the turf wall was abandoned) have also been located. As the turf wall lies some distance from the stone wall, the sites are not accessible from the Hadrian's Wall Path.

Contents

Description

Milecastle 50TW was constructed as part of the turf wall section of Hadrian's Wall, and is situated to the west of Birdoswald fort. [1] It is unique in being the only original turf wall milecastle where the stone wall milecastle built to replace it was not constructed on the same site; this is due to the divergent nature of the original turf wall, and replacement stone wall at this reach. The replacement stone wall milecastle, milecastle 50 was built some 200 metres (220 yd) to the north. [2]

All milecastles on the turf wall section of Hadrian's Wall were thought to have been constructed with turf ramparts, with a wooden tower over the north gate. [2] There are no visible remains of Milecastle 50TW, however a corresponding causeway across the wall ditch is discernible; one of only two milecastles where such a structure survives, the other being Milecastle 25. [1] A wooden culvert was initially used to allow water to flow beneath the causeway, but this was later replaced with a stone culvert. [2]

Construction

An approximate plan of the ramparts and internal structures of Milecastle 50TW Approximate plan of Milecastle 50TW.png
An approximate plan of the ramparts and internal structures of Milecastle 50TW

Milecastle 50TW measured 20.12 metres (66.0 ft) x 16.76 metres (55.0 ft) (long-axis type). The ramparts measured 6.1 metres (20 ft) at the base. The north gateway(similarly sized to a Turret) was found to contain five square posts at each side (each measuring 23 centimetres (9.1 in) on a side), whereas the south gateway was of a smaller area, and only contained three posts on each side. It has been speculated that the additional posts were used to support the extra weight imposed by a tower above the north gateway, not required over the south gateway. [2]

Evidence of an internal timber structure (dimensions 9.14 metres (30.0 ft) x 3.66 metres (12.0 ft) was identified in the eastern side of the milecastle (southern end). The structure was divided into two unequal rooms, each containing the remains of a hearth. A better used hearth was located outside, and to the north of this structure. A large pot was discovered set into the ground, and connected to a drain, beside the south gate. It is presumed that this was used as a latrine. A stairway base (located in the north eastern corner of the milecastle) was also discovered. [2]

Vallum

The vallum ditch and south mound divert to the south to accommodate the milecastle. The north vallum mound (absent from Milecastle 49 westwards), restarts at Milecastle 50TW's west rampart. A stone-revetted causeway was constructed across the vallum ditch, with a corresponding gap in the south mound. This was later replaced with a wider crossing. [2]

Demolition

As part of the first phase of extension of the stone wall westwards from Milecastle 49, Milecastle 50TW was demolished. The evidence found during the 1934 excavation indicated a purposeful dismantling of both gates, and the digging of pits to bury bedding, and other detritus. [3]

Excavations and investigations

Associated turrets

Each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milecastle, and would probably have been manned by part of the milecastle's garrison. The turrets associated with Milecastle 50TW are known as Turret 50A TW and Turret 50B TW. Both turrets were demolished when the turf wall was replaced with a stone wall.

Typical plan of a turf wall turret Turret Plan (Turf Wall).jpg
Typical plan of a turf wall turret

Turret 50A TW

Turret 50A TW was discovered in 1934, located 507 yards (464 m) west of Milecastle 50TW. Sufficient trace of Turret 50A TW survived demolition to establish that the walls were 76 centimetres (30 in) wide, and the structure had approximate external dimensions of 20 feet (6.1 m) square. [2] [5]

Location: 54°59′03″N2°37′20″W / 54.984258°N 2.622283°W / 54.984258; -2.622283 (Turret 50B TW) (Ordnance Survey National Grid Coordinates: NY 6027 6569 )> [5]

Turret 50B TW

The remains of Turret 50B TW were located 522 yards (477 m) east of Milecastle 51. Its external dimensions were 20 feet (6.1 m) square, and the north and south faces both contained a plinth. [6] A hearth was discovered a little to the east of centre of the floor. This suggests that the door may have been located on the west of the south wall. [2]

Location: 54°59′00″N2°37′48″W / 54.983365°N 2.629879°W / 54.983365; -2.629879 (Turret 50B TW) (Ordnance Survey National Grid Coordinates: NY 597 655 )> [6]

Monument records

MonumentMonument Number English Heritage Archive Number
Milecastle 50TW14014NY 66 NW 21
Turret 50A TW14017NY 66 NW 22
Turret 50B TW12635NY 56 NE 10

Public access

Although there are no visible remains at any of the three sites, they are all visible (but not accessible) from the Hadrian's Wall path. The nearest accessible parking is at Birdoswald.

Related Research Articles

Milecastle 49

Milecastle 49 was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 50

Milecastle 50 was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 51

Milecastle 51 was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 52

Milecastle 52 (Bankshead) was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Vallum (Hadrians Wall)

The Vallum is a huge earthwork associated with Hadrian's Wall in England. Unique on any Roman frontier, it runs practically from coast to coast to the south of the wall.

Milecastle 18

Milecastle 18 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. It is located to the west of the settlement of East Wallhouses in Northumberland and is visible as a platform in the ground. The milecastle is of a unique construction, having a gateway associated with builders of the Legio II Augusta and a layout typical of the Legio VI Victrix or Legio XX Valeria Victrix. Historians have suggested that it may have been begun by men of one legion and finished by those of another. One of Milecastle 18's associated turrets shows evidence of being used as a workshop, possibly for the repair of shoes.

Milecastle 10

Milecastle 10 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. It is located near to the modern village of Throckley in Tyne and Wear, northern England. Much of the milecastle lies beneath a road but partial remains of the north wall can be seen in the garden of Dene House. It has been excavated several times and its walls located, though the remains have been "considerably damaged by ploughing". Only one of the two associated turrets has been located and excavated.

Milecastle 22

Milecastle 22 (Portgate) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as a low, turf covered platform just east of the Portgate roundabout. The platform is 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) on the east side, reducing to only a parch mark on the west side.

Milecastle 23

Milecastle 23 (Stanley) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as a low, grass covered platform with traces of an external ditch. It is located to the south of the B6318 Military Road around 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) west of its junction with the A68.

Milecastle 78

Milecastle 78 (Kirkland) was one of a series of Milecastles or small fortlets built at intervals of approximately one Roman mile along Hadrian's Wall.

Milefortlet 21

Milefortlet 21 was a Milefortlet of the Roman Cumbrian Coast defences. These defences were contemporary with defensive structures on Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as reconstructed turf ramparts and ditch, reinstated to its original profile. They are located on a low cliff on the coast, north of the village of Crosscanonby, and just inland from the coastal road. It is the only milefortlet to have been fully excavated and is open to the public.

Milecastle 25

Milecastle 25 (Codlawhill) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as a low platform, and are located to the south of the B6318 Military Road, nearly 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to the west of its junction with the A68.

Milecastle 26

Milecastle 26 (Planetrees) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its position is slightly to the south of, but mostly covered by the B6318 Military Road., and it is located around 700 metres (0.43 mi) east of the B6318 Military Road's junction with the A6079. No visible traces exist currently. The dimensions are the same as Milecastles 23, 24, and 25.

Milecastle 29

Milecastle 29 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as a mutilated earth platform accentuated by deep robber-trenches around all sides, and are located beside the B6318 Military Road. Like Milecastles 9, 23, 25, and 51, a ditch has been identified around the Milecastle, and is still visible to a small extent. It has been postulated that this was as a result of the need for drainage on the site.

Milecastle 32

Milecastle 32 (Carraw) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist as earthworks and with no exposed masonry. The layout of the milecastle walls is defined by robber trenches (to a maximum depth of 0.3 metres. The north wall is beneath a modern wall.

Milecastle 33

Milecastle 33 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall, one of a series of small fortlets built at intervals of approximately one Roman mile along the length of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern England.

Turret (Hadrians Wall)

A turret was a small watch tower, incorporated into the curtain wall of Hadrian's Wall. The turrets were normally spaced at intervals of one third of a Roman mile between Milecastles, giving two Turrets between each Milecastle.

Milecastle 54

Milecastle 54 (Randylands) was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 65 (Tarraby) was a milecastle on Hadrian's Wall.

Milecastle 70

Milecastle 70 (Braelees) was one of a series of Milecastles or small fortlets built at intervals of approximately one Roman mile along Hadrian's Wall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Historic England. "MILECASTLE 50 (TW) (14014)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Breeze, David J (1934), Handbook to the Roman Wall (14th Revised edition – November 2006), Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, pp. 309–310, ISBN   0901082651
  3. 1 2 Collingwood Bruce, John (1935). "4. The Turf Wall Turrets between Wallbowers and Harrow's Scar". Report of the Cumberland Excavation Committee for 1934. Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society. new series. Vol. 35. Titus Wilson & Son. pp. 232–236.
  4. ↑ Simpson, F G; Richmond, I A; St Joseph, K (1935). "2. The Turf Wall milecastle at High House". Report of the Cumberland Excavation Committee for 1934. Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society. new series. Vol. 35. Titus Wilson & Son. pp. 220–232.
  5. 1 2 Historic England. "Turret 50A TW (14017)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  6. 1 2 Historic England. "Turret 50B TW (12635)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 27 December 2013.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.