Roman military fort discovered in Scotland

The small fort lies immediately south of the Antonine Wall and was capable of accommodating between 20 and 50 soldiers.

Archaeologists in Scotland have discovered the remains of a small roman military postor “fortress”, built along the ancient border known as the Antonine Wall.

A Antonine Wall extended across about 62 kilometers through what is now central Scotland, forming the northern border of Roman-controlled territory. Built mainly with peat and earth, the wall began construction in 142 AD, during the reign of Antoninus Pius, who ruled the Roman Empire from 138 to 161 AD. The barrier separated the Roman province in southern Scotland from the lands further north that remained outside Roman control.

Along its length, the wall was supported by a extensive military network which included forts, smaller fortifications, camps, spas and a road that allowed the rapid movement of troops and supplies between posts. Despite its strategic importance, the border had a relatively short life. Around 165 AD, Roman forces retreated south and reestablished their main defensive line at Hadrian’s Wallnot northern England.

The newly identified fort is in the town of Bearsden, approximately 5 miles northwest of Glasgow. It was built on high ground, just south of the Antonine Wall, says the .

According to archaeologists from Guard Archeology, the fort’s position provided panoramic views of the surrounding countrysideparticularly to the north, where Roman authority did not extend. The strategic point allowed stationed soldiers to monitor movements across the border and potentially signal nearby Roman forces if threats arose.

Radiocarbon dating indicates that the site was active between the mid-2nd and mid-3rd centuries AD. Researchers believe that the fort could house a small garrison of about 20 to 50 soldiers. His design included a stone base, defensive ditches and ramparts. A digital reconstruction produced by the archaeological team suggests that the small fort contained two main buildings for troops, as well as watchtowers and other earthen fortifications.

The discovery was made in 2017 during an archaeological survey carried out before work began on one of the properties. Later excavations expanded the research to neighboring gardens, finally revealing the true extent of the site. The results were in the journal Archeology Reports Online.