The Cullompton complex at St Andrew's Hill comprises two superimposed Roman forts and two associated marching camps, occupying a strategic position overlooking the River Culm in east Devon. The site is part of the early Flavian (and possibly late Neronian, c. AD 55–75) military penetration of the South West, likely connected to the campaigns following the conquest of the Dumnonii and the establishment of the Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) legionary base around AD 55–60. The two forts represent successive phases of occupation, while the camps probably reflect short-term troop movements along the road north from Exeter.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
Cullompton sits on the road running north-east from Exeter towards the Somerset frontier and the Mendip lead fields, forming part of the network of vexillation forts and auxiliary posts (alongside Tiverton, Wiveliscombe, and Bury Barton) that controlled the South West during the conquest period. Its proximity to Exeter suggests a supporting role in garrisoning the Culm valley rather than a frontline frontier function.
The site was identified principally through aerial photography, which revealed the superimposed defensive ditches and camp circuits as cropmarks; geophysical survey has supplemented this evidence. There has been limited modern excavation and consequently little artefactual material has been published, so the precise dating, garrison size, and internal layout remain poorly understood.
The Cullompton complex at St Andrew's Hill comprises two superimposed Roman forts and two associated marching camps, occupying a strategic position overlooking the River Culm in east Devon. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fort site from the Roman period in Britain.
Cullompton Forts 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 Tiverton (9.1 km), Pomeroy Wood (14.1 km), Roman fort 300m NE of Cudmore Farm (14.4 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
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