Thornhill

NX89SE 2 8767 9480

(NX 8764 9478) Roman Signal Station (R) (Site of)

OS 6" map (1957)

? Roman signal station - needs confirmation. A mound with a flat-topped summit, and a ditch 12 yds to 15 yds across, with a gate and palisade. From the gate, which is on the E, to the centre of the circle is 43 yds.

Information from J K St Joseph 1949

A circular work is visible on air photographs, in addition to further surface marks (? enclosures, drainage channels) in area NX 876 948. Visible on RAF AP's 541/A/549:4152-3

NX 876 949. A coin of Constantius II (324 - 361 A D) was found in a rabbit scrape on the S face of the probable Roman signal station just S of Thornhill hospital by Master David McFadzean. (The grid reference as given places the find well to the N of the site.)

A E Truckell 1964

The crop mark of this suggested Roman signal station is situated on a low, gravelly knoll, revealing no traces in a ploughed field. The measurements given by Dr St Joseph appear to be incorrect and it seems likely that they refer to feet rather than yards. The air photograph clearly shows an entrance on the E, and while it is certain that it faces the Roman road, the line has not been established in this area, and it may well be some distance to the E. Visibility from the knoll is restricted to the S by a ridge, and by rising ground on the N.

Visited by OS (JP) 9 June 1967

Visible on RCAHMS air photographs (noted as a homestead by the RCAHMS in 1977).

Scheduled as Templand Mains, Roman Signal Station

This homestead, which is visible as a cropmark on oblique aerial photographs (Dewar 75, RCAHMSAP 76, 77, 83, 84) is situated on a low knoll in the gently-rolling land to the S of Thornhill. A penannular ditch about 3m across encloses an area measuring some 20m in diameter; the gap in the ditch is about 6m across and lies on the E. Some 3m from the inner edge of the ditch, and concentric with it, there is a narrow trench, up to 1m across, enclosing an area measuring between 12m and 14m in diameter. There is a gap in the E, in line with the gap in the broader ditch, with a swelling of the terminals of the trench, which has probably held the outer wall of a timber house.

Visited by RCAHMS (DCC) 22 February 1995