Archaeology Notes

Event ID 738637

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/738637

NT53SE 20.10 571 345

Some 100m E of the NE corner of the fort a pronounced oval depression 70m by 60m, longer axis EW, lies to the N of, and partly under, the minor road B6301. The road and its embankments, some 20m wide, overlie the southern segement of the depression and to some extent conceal its true shape and extent. On the N-S centre-line of the hollow the road surface is some 4m above the gently dished floor. The c10m wide banks that contain the hollow on its E and W sides rise some 3m and 5m above the floor respectively. Around the northern arc of the hollow the banks dip markedly to the N-S centre-line, rising there to only about 0.5m. Beyond the bank on the E to NE arc of the hollow the ground slopes down sharply to the field running down to the lower bank of the River Tweed some 30m below. Beyond the bank on the W and NW arc the fall to the field surface is smaller, increasing to the N as the field slopes gently to the edge of the high upper bank of the Tweed on which the fort and the hollow are situated. Beyond the bank on the NW arc the fall to the field and then to the river level forms a terrace widening to the W.

The impression of a built embankment is gained.

The site generally slopes gently from SW to NE. The hollow is dry and apparently drains by seepage, though perhaps by a buried field-drain.

In the spring of 1991 a horizontal growth-line was observed on the NE outer face of the site from the height of the nearby Leaderfoot Viaduct (NT53SE 76), prompting the thought that a structural discontinuity existed. The growth-line had gone at the later survey of the site but was at approximately the same level as the terrace noted above.

To the S of the road are a small lay-by and a low field bank, the latter forming an arc running in with the lips of the hollow. The measurements for the hollow given assume that it formerly extended to this field bank. Some 10m further S, a shallow depression runs concentric to the field bank. This feature was first noted as a soil-mark on an air photograph displayed at the fort site. It may represent a fort or annexe ditch diverting drainage from the hollow, or an old road or cart-track line skirting the S side of the hollow.

The large embanked hollow does not appear to have been previously remarked upon. The size, shape and situation of the feature are not incompatible with its being a small amphitheatre associated with the adjacent fort.

W Lonie 1992.

Geophysical survey revealed a clear elliptical shape on the site of the postulated amphitheatre.

L J F Keppie 1994

This site is located at NT 5715 3460.

Information from RCAHMS (RHM) 18 October 1996.

NT 571 346 The 1st or 2nd-century amphitheatre at the NE corner of the Roman fort was constructed by the excavation of a hollow for the arena and deposition of the excavated material to form banked 'seating'. The banks are now somewhat eroded and the hollow partially filled, but geophysics, contour survey and limited excavation have been able to determine the structure's approximate shape and size. The arena was elliptical, 37 x 23m, its long axis roughly 40o W of N. Two opposed entrances probably originally pierced the surrounding bank on the long axis. One of these survives as a low point in the standing earthwork, the other has been obliterated by the modern road which clips the site. The seating bank was found to consist of a simple dump of earth and cobbles 7m wide, probably retained on its inner edge by a wooden revetment wall. No trace of tiered seating or terraces were discovered, in large part due to plough damage. The structure was never very elaborate, however, perhaps accommodating 1000-1500 spectators. Finds recovered include nails, hobnails, abraded orange coarse pottery, animal bone, belt fitting and (unidentified) Roman bronze coin.

Sponsors: Bradford University, Trimontium Trust.

S Clarke, A Tebbs and A Wise 1996