Kaims Castle

NN81SE 1 centred 8608 1295.

(NN 8608 1295) Kaims Castle (NAT) ROMAN FORTLET (R)

OS 6" map (1958)

Kaims Castle, though probably also used for signalling, may be classified as a fortlet rather than a signal station. It consists of a nearly square inner enclosure and an outer enclosing ditch of almost circular plan with a counterscarp bank (see plan by Christison). There is a single entrance, approached by a paved causeway from the Roman road. Excavations by Christison in 1900 showed the interior also to be paved, but no post-holes of a tower were found nor any traces of the other timber buildings which must have stood within.

Direct evidence of date is lacking - the only finds were 'two shapeless lumps of lead'. The plan is not that of the normal Antonine road-fortlet and in fact finds analogies in the north Devon sites of Old Burrow and Martinhoe recently shown by Lady Fox to belong to the 1st century. Its probable relationship to the Ardoch signal post, also an early feature, again suggests a Flavian date, though an Antonine reoccupation is not impossible.

K A Steer 1964; D Christison 1901

Generally as previously described and as planned by Christison.

Surveyed at 1:2500.

Visited by OS (WDJ) 18 May 1967.

NN 8605 1285 (centred on) A watching brief was conducted on the digging of foundation pits for a small wind turbine, on a glacial mound just south of the Roman fortlet of Kaimes (or Kaims) Castle. No evidence of early activity was found. The work was carried out on 9th August 2007 and was given the site code BC02.

David Bowler (SUAT Ltd), 12 November 2007.