Trial Trench

Date December 1989

Event ID 749326

Category Recording

Type Trial Trench

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/749326

NS97NW 46.01 9053 7950

A 1.4m wide section was dug across the Antonine frontier at right angles to the features. The rampart base survived well. The stone foundation was 4.3m wide with dressed kerbs. Clay cheeks were observed in the superstructure, with an earthen core. These cheeks were only 36cm wide, and the south cheek was interrupted by a squared timber which rested on the kerbstones. To the north the land sloped down into a 7m wide V-shaped ditch with sides at 33 to 40 degrees. Between the rampart and the slope was a level area of only 3.8m and here four elongated defensive pits were discovered in the characteristic quincunx pattern. The pits averaged 40cm wide by 35cm deep, with length in excess of 70cm. To the N of the ditch an earlier gravel pit was excavated, its fill formed from the upcast mound.

No trace was found of the Military Way, but 7m S of the rampart a two phase hearth was encountered. This was associated with imitation black-burnished ware and a lens of clay suggesting a timber building.

Sponsors: Falkirk Museum, Central Regional Council, Historic Scotland

G Bailey 1990

Excavations in 1989 discovered the presence of defensive pits, or lilia, on the berm of the Antonine Wall. Less tangible evidence was found for a timber building behind the rampart and a timber tower within the body of the rampart. The choice of constructional meterials suggests the possibility that the wall from Watling Lodge to Carriden was a late addition to the frontier. In 1990, further defensive pits were located 120m to the W and a complete section was excavated across the ditch.

G B Bailey 1995