Scheduled MonumentsScotlandWard Law, fort and Roman camp
Iron Age · Fort and roman camp

Ward Law, fort and Roman camp

Scotland
HES SM674
Period
Iron Age
Site type
Fort and roman camp
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Ward Law is a multiphase defensive site in Dumfriesshire comprising an Iron Age fort overlain by a Roman temporary camp. The Iron Age fort represents a native Scottish settlement with substantial defensive earthworks, whilst the Roman installation reflects military activity during the campaigns of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when Roman forces moved through southern Scotland. The site's physical remains include ditch and rampart systems characteristic of both periods, providing archaeological evidence of the interaction between indigenous populations and Roman military occupation. Ward Law thus demonstrates the strategic importance of this landscape during two critical periods of prehistoric and Roman Britain.

Ward Law, fort and Roman camp is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM674. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ward Law, fort and Roman camp?

Ward Law is a multiphase defensive site in Dumfriesshire comprising an Iron Age fort overlain by a Roman temporary camp. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM674.

What period does Ward Law, fort and Roman camp date from?

Ward Law, fort and Roman camp dates from the iron age period, and is classified as a fort and roman camp. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Ward Law, fort and Roman camp?

Ward Law, fort and Roman camp is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM674.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ward Law, fort and Roman camp?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ward Law, prehistoric enclosure and roundhouse 360m WSW of (0.4 km), Caerlaverock Castle and Old Castle,castles,courtyards and harbour (1.4 km), Isle Tower, 400m NNE of Bankend (2.1 km).

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