Archaeology Notes

Event ID 702269

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/702269

NS47SW 20.00 41826 72096

(NS 41826 72096) ROMAN FORT (R) (site of)

OS 6" map (1970).

NS47SW 20.01 NS 4182 7208 [prehistoric] pits; pottery; pitchstone; flint implements

Crop-marks of a Roman fort, on Whitemoss farm, were noted by Dr Steer on aerial photographs (CPE/Scot/UK 276: 5253-4) in 1949. The site commands a magnificent vista across and along the Clyde, and the finding of a fort there helps to solve the problem of the defence of the W flank of the Antonine Wall where, in Roman times, the Clyde did not constitute a military obstacle, being shallow and in places fordable. Two Antonine samian fragments, found on the surface are in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow.

K A Steer 1951; information from A S Robertson, 1951.

In 1950 trenching discovered (1) An E-W ditch, possibly the N side of the fort, with a heavily metalled road passing through a gap in it, opposite the entrance on the S side; several Antonine sherds were found in the ditch. (2) A system of fortifications to the NW apparently unconnected with the other part and indicating more than one fort of more than one period.

F Newall 1950.

In 1952 the plan of the fort was 'completed' (but plan shows the SE portion only). The S gate showed two periods, both Antonine, and the only finds were of Antonine date.

F Newall 1953.

In 1953 excavation of the headquarters building was completed and four different periods were observed (the report gives no reason to suppose that any of the periods were other than Antonine).The third period had ended in destruction by fire.

F Newall 1954.

In 1954 the foundations of a barrack block and an unspecified building were traced.

F Newall 1955.

No traces of this fort are visible on the ground.

Visited by OS (WDJ), 12 May 1964.

On air photographs, a ditch was located running from the NW angle of the fort for some distance down the slope to the N. It may enclose an annexe.

J K St Joseph 1958.

Photographed by the RCAHMS and CUCAP.

(Undated) information in NMRS.

Scheduled as 'Whitemoss Roman Fort, 175m SW of Rosarymount... the buried remains of a Roman fort and attached annex[e], visible from the air as cropmarks indicating the extent of the defensive ditches and some internal features.'

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 11 February 2011.