Carmuirs 'd', 'e', 'f'

Camelon, Forts NS 863 810 NS88SE 22

Listed as temporary camps.

RCAHMS 1978

(Christison and Buchanan 1901; RCAHMS 1963, pp. 107-12, No. 122; DES, 1973, 52; DES, 1974, 63-4; DES, 1975, 52-3; DES, 1976, 61)

A 1:25000 scale map of the Antonine Wall was published by RCAHMS in 2008. The map shows the course of the Antonine Wall on a modern map base, including areas where the Wall is in public ownership or care and can be visited. The data had been collated as part of the project to prepare maps for the World Heritage Site nomination bid.

South of the Lochlands Three Bridges area (see Lochlands, below), and now wholly under a housing estate, lies the camp of East Carmuirs, first recorded in 1949, prior to the construction of the houses (St Joseph 1951a: 62). It measured 163m from north to south by about 325m transversely, potentially enclosing around 5.5ha (13.6ha). It was originally believed to be small in size owing to a possible slight arc on the ditch on the north side possibly suggesting the north-east corner, which would mean that the camp enclosed some 2.1ha (5.1 acres) (Feachem 1958: 336–7; RCAHMS 1963: 111–2). However, reappraisal of the air photographs suggests a continuation of the south side, implying that the camp enclosed a much larger area. A gap on the west side may represent an entrance.

It is clear from the aerial and excavated evidence that the promontory represented not only a major gathering ground for troops on the march northwards, but also was a strategic location for the Antonine Wall. The presence of Flavian finds at both concentrations of camps on the promontory (including a Flavian radiocarbon date from charcoal in a pit group at Three Bridges: Bailey 2000: 483) attests to a certain amount of 1st century ad activity in the area, and is supported by the likely dating of the two camps at Lochlands with Stracathro-type gates. The denarius of Hadrian from Lochlands IV, while not comfortably

stratified, also attests to a later presence, possibly relating to the Antonine Wall and the fort of Camelon. Lying beyond the frontier, the area would have provided a greater level of security than many sites north of the Wall. While the finds assemblage is small, it is significant, particularly when placed in the context of artefacts from Roman camps (Hunter forthcoming).

The Lochlands area was clearly important in Roman times, probably both in terms of supplying the army and industrial activity, as well as being a nodal point for campaigns. It was clearly a major gathering ground for troops on the march northwards. The use of the Three Bridges area as a potential industrial zone may relate to a nearby port on the River Carron serving the fort at Camelon (Bailey 2000; Tatton-Brown 1980).

R H Jones.

In the area to the south of Lochlands, west of Camelon, lies a further series of camps known as ‘Three Bridges’; the majority lie in a triangular zone within three converging railway lines and have been recorded since the 1950s (RCAHMS 1963: 111). The area to the south of this triangle has been subject to several excavations in recent years by Bailey (Bailey 2000; Hunter 2003: 302). In addition, Price has recorded the ditches of possible camps just east of the railway triangle, north-west of the fort of Camelon, and these are probably the eastern part of one or more camps at Three Bridges, although some may relate to out-works for the fort (Price 1974; 1977). Camp fires were also found (Price and Price 1973), and one of the proposed camp ditches was up to 2.6m in width and up to 1.2m in depth (information in RCAHMS).

The results of Bailey’s excavations and the cropmark evidence suggests that at least six camps of varying shapes, sizes (and probably functions) have been recorded, along

with the camp known as East Carmuirs, which is probably larger than has previously been suspected (contra Feachem 1958: fig 6; RCAHMS 1963: fig 46 ‘F’).

Bailey’s excavations at Three Bridges have significantly expanded our knowledge of the camps in this area. Some of the camps excavated tied up with the known evidence from cropmarks; others represented new features. At least two of the camps may have been backfilled, one (probable camp VI) possibly to make way for a new camp in pretty much the same location (IV). Another showed evidence for recutting and therefore more than one phase of use (V). Potential annexes were also identified, and a series of pits excavated, identified as ovens and possibly kilns. Some of the ‘camps’ appeared to be 1st century ad in origin, owing to the identification of Flavian pottery in the ditch of camp IV. Bailey suggested that many of the ‘camps’ were probably work and stores depots, owing to the presence of pits indicating industrial activity at the site (2000). This also fits with the report of a series of ‘fire pits’ to the east of the railway, east of camp I, originally proposed as cremation pits (Breeze and Rich-Gray 1980). Presumably some of the Three Bridges camps may have related to the Antonine occupation of the area, but there is no datable evidence to confirm this at present.

Camp I is the north-eastern of the group between the three railway lines, and measures 80m by probably at least 115m, although the location of the east side is unknown and no entrances are visible. Camp II , to the west, may be an annexe to this small camp, or alternatively one of the two may represent a reduction of an existing camp. This second camp measures 83m by 70m, therefore enclosing almost 0.6ha (1.4 acres), although if the area of camp I is included then it measures about 82m by at least 180m. There are hints of a possible titulus on the north side, close to the ditch separating camps I and II.

Camp III lies immediately SSW of camp II and is almost square in form, measuring 57m by 56m, enclosing 0.3ha (0.8 acres). No gates have been recorded. To its east lies camp IV, now partially under an industrial estate. About 170m of its west side and 150m of the north have been recorded as cropmarks. The west side of this camp is often illustrated as running farther to the south (down to the west of the East Carmuirs camp, for example, Bailey 2000: illus. 1), but this could not be confirmed through the available air photographic evidence. Excavations by Bailey in 1987 and 1993 on the west ditch recorded that it was flat-bottomed, 0.63m wide and 0.16m deep and was heavily plough-truncated in one sector (Frere 1988: 426–7). In another, it was some 0.8m wide and 0.5m deep and may have been recut. An entrance gap was identified, with a narrow shallow ditch between, and some 8.2m to the west a truncated pit was located which was interpreted as the possible remnants of a titulus (Bailey 2000: 473–4). Flavian pottery was found in the ditch of this camp, and on the ground surface nearby (Bailey 2000: 487).

South of camp III and west of IV lie two sides of a further camp (V), again now partially under an industrial estate and housing. Some 65m of the north side, the rounded north-west corner angle and at least 140m of the west side have been recorded, the majority through aerial survey with excavations by Bailey recording a further stretch of the ditch to the south. He suggested, on topographical grounds, that the camp could measure some 420m in length, but also commented that it could represent part of an annexe or fort (2000: 483). The excavated ditch was up to 3.9m in width and 1.2m in depth and may have been deliberately backfilled. It also showed evidence for a recut (Keppie 1994: 257; Bailey 2000: 475–8). A series of pit groups were recovered, which produced artefacts and a radiocarbon date in the Flavian period. The excavator suggested that some may be ovens or kilns (Bailey 2000: 484–5).

R H Jones.

During excavations in 1993, Bailey recorded a ditch to the east of camp IV, of which at least 21m by 14m is known (Bailey 2000: 473. camp g). His trenches recorded the ditch was up to 0.8m wide and 0.55 deep. It may have been deliberately backfilled after a small amount of silting. He also recorded a further ditch to the west of the ditches of camps IV and VI, on an east-to-west alignment. This measured up to 1.2m in width and 0.5m in depth and may also have been deliberately backfilled (Bailey 2000: 474, camp h). This may represent the remains of a further camp of be an annexe to or reduction of an existing camp.

R H Jones.

South of the Lochlands Three Bridges area (see Lochlands, below), and now wholly under a housing estate, lies the camp of East Carmuirs, first recorded in 1949, prior to the construction of the houses (St Joseph 1951a: 62). It measured 163m from north to south by about 325m transversely, potentially enclosing around 5.5ha (13.6ha). It was originally believed to be small in size owing to a possible slight arc on the ditch on the north side possibly suggesting the north-east corner, which would mean that the camp enclosed some 2.1ha (5.1 acres) (Feachem 1958: 336–7; RCAHMS 1963: 111–2). However, reappraisal of the air photographs suggests a continuation of the south side, implying that the camp enclosed a much larger area. A gap on the west side may represent an entrance.

R H Jones

South of the Lochlands Three Bridges area (see Lochlands, below), and now wholly under a housing estate, lies the camp of East Carmuirs, first recorded in 1949, prior to the construction of the houses (St Joseph 1951a: 62). It measured 163m from north to south by about 325m transversely, potentially enclosing around 5.5ha (13.6ha). It was originally believed to be small in size owing to a possible slight arc on the ditch on the north side possibly suggesting the north-east corner, which would mean that the camp enclosed some 2.1ha (5.1 acres) (Feachem 1958: 336–7; RCAHMS 1963: 111–2). However, reappraisal of the air photographs suggests a continuation of the south side, implying that the camp enclosed a much larger area. A gap on the west side may represent an entrance.

R H Jones