Corda, generally identified with the Roman fort at Castledykes near Lanark in South Lanarkshire, was an auxiliary fort situated on a terrace above the River Clyde. It saw multiple phases of occupation during the Flavian and Antonine periods (late 1st to mid-2nd century AD), serving as a garrison post of approximately 2.6 hectares capable of housing a mixed cohort.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
The fort occupied a strategic position controlling the upper Clyde valley and the route between the Solway-Tyne frontier and the Antonine Wall, functioning as a key node in the network of forts along the western road north through Annandale and Clydesdale. Its identification with Ptolemy's Corda, a place-name associated with the Damnonii, suggests it was also a regional administrative focus.
Excavations by Anne Robertson in the 1930s–50s revealed multiple phases of defences, internal timber buildings including granaries, and an annexe, with finds indicating Flavian, Antonine I and Antonine II occupations. Aerial photography has further clarified the layout, showing successive ditch systems and surrounding temporary camps used during campaigning.
Corda, generally identified with the Roman fort at Castledykes near Lanark in South Lanarkshire, was an auxiliary fort situated on a terrace above the River Clyde. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fort site from the Roman period in Britain.
Corda? is classified as a Roman fort — a military site in the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer. Roman Britain's archaeology encompasses thousands of sites ranging from legionary fortresses and marching camps to villas, temples and towns.
Several Roman sites lie within a short distance, including Wandel (17.5 km), Castle Greg (19.3 km), Tocherknowe (22.8 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
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