Archaeology Notes

Event ID 779531

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/779531

NJ62NE 31 centred 6985 2718

Extends onto map sheet and noted by Aberdeenshire Archaeological Service under site number NJ72NW 50.

For discovery of Neolithic pottery during excavations at NJ 702 272, see NJ72NW 64.

For possible ring-ditch and other cropmarks at Westerton (NJ 695 274) and farmhouse and steading of Westerton (NJ 6952 2733), see NJ62NE 55 and NJ62NE 56 respectively; both these features fall within the area of the temporary camp.

For (possibly associated) linear cropmarks at NJ 697 267, see NJ62NE 109.

(Location cited as centred NJ 699 572 [NJ 699 272]). The discovery (in July 1975) of this large camp came as something of a surprise but two seasons of reconnaissance and two short spells of digging have established the greater part of the plan, although there are no visible surface traces. It is situated on ploughed but uneven ground to the NE of the River Urie and 500ft (152m) at its nearest point. The minimum area of the camp is 141.25 acres (57.2 ha) and the most likely area some 3 acres more (58.4 ha altogether), making this the largest camp known N of the Antonine Wall.

The whole of the SW side, of length 3230ft (984m) is known, and includes two wide gates, each with a traverse. The exact position of the S sector of that side and of the rounded S angle has been determined by digging; it is V-shaped in section, 11ft (3.4m) broad and up to 4ft 6ins (1.37m) deep. A change in direction through some 32 degrees occurs at the northernmost gate in this side.

Much of the NW side, 1930ft (588.4m) long, has been observed from the air while a few trenches fixed the position of the central gate, 63ft (19.2m) wide, and its traverse.

Rather less than half the NE side, including the more northerly of the two gates was visible from the air, the rest being under well-established pasture. Digging located the ditch next to Easterton of Logie steading and found the second gate on that side.

Only 200ft (61m) of the SE side remained near the S angle, the adhacent ditch having been apparently ploughed out on the moderately steep slope.

On the NE side, the ditch became progressively shallower towards Easterton, running out into the ploughsoil. Some 200ft (61m) W of Easterton, several ditch-sections revealed an irregular profile in an area of rock knolls and outcropping gabbro both in the paddock SE of the steading and further SW (across the lane) in rough ground which had previously formed part of a wood. Digging had evidently stopped when rock was encountered. Trenches SE of the steading revealed no ditch; a rampart of earth and boulders may have sufficed around this length of the perimeter. The short proven length of the SE side (parallel to the NW side) may be assumed to have contnued to a SE gate within the wood on the crest of a ridge. The lie of the ground and the disposition of the known gates suggests that the E angle lay a few hundred feet SE of Easterton.

J K St Joseph 1977.

(NJ 699 272). The outline of a Roman camp about 140 acres (56.7 ha) in extent has been partly established by air reconnaissance and field work, including sectioning of ditches, between 1975 and 1977, at Durno. It occupies uneven ground, is irregular in shape, and most of the SE side including the SE angle, has yet to be established, but its topographical setting, especially in relation to Bennachie (NJ 65 SS), strongly suggests that it may be the camp associated with the battle of Mons Graupius in 83 AD.

(Full description of camp and discussion of battle).

J K St Joseph 1978.

(AAS NJ72NW 50: location cited as NJ 701 271). This Roman temporary camp is situated in pastureland on an uneven ridge from which bedrock protrudes in places; it measures at least 141.25 (and possibly as much as 144) acres in extent. The altitude is between 110 and 125m OD.

(Comprehensive list of newspaper references and air photographic imagery citations).

Information from Aberdeenshire Archaeological Service, June 1997.

NMRS, MS/712/19 and MS/712/36.

CUCAP air photographic imagery:

26 July 1975 BVD 85-96 and 99-102, BVE 1-12

26 July 1975 K17-AJ 5-15 (vertical)

28 July 1975 K17-AJ 133-5 and 144-6 (vertical)

21 July 1976 CAF 28-49 and 52-3

20 July 1977 CDE 19-28

31 July 1977 CDV 57-9 and 64

(Undated) information in CUCAP card index.

Nothing is visible of the defences of this camp, which occupies an area of mixed woodland, pasture and arable cultivation.

Visited by RCAHMS (JRS), 20 March 1996.

Scheduled as 'Durno, Roman temporary camp, 420m ESE of Westerton...'

Information from Historic Scotland, scheduling document dated 5 March 2008.