Caermote is a Roman military site in Cumbria, north of Bassenthwaite Lake, comprising two superimposed forts of different periods together with associated stretches of Roman road. The earlier, larger fort (c. 2.4 hectares) is generally dated to the Flavian or Trajanic period, likely part of the conquest-era network in the Lake District, while a smaller fortlet was inserted within or adjacent to it, probably in the later 2nd century, holding perhaps a small detachment.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
The site lay on a road running between the Roman fort at Papcastle (Derventio) and the network extending eastward towards Old Carlisle and Caermote's hinterland, securing communications across the northern fringe of the Cumbrian fells. Its sequence of reduction from full auxiliary fort to fortlet mirrors the wider pattern of military draw-down in north-west England as the frontier consolidated on Hadrian's Wall.
The earthworks of both enclosures are still visible as low ramparts and ditches, and have been recorded through earthwork survey and aerial photography rather than substantial modern excavation; antiquarian observations noted stone foundations, and the line of the associated road has been traced in segments. No major published excavation report exists, and details of internal buildings, garrison, and precise chronology remain poorly understood.
Caermote is a Roman military site in Cumbria, north of Bassenthwaite Lake, comprising two superimposed forts of different periods together with associated stretches of Roman road. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fort site from the Roman period in Britain.
Two Roman forts and three sections of Roman road at Caermote 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 Caermote Roman fort (0.2 km), Blennerhasset Roman fort, 300m south west of Harbybrow (4.5 km), Three Romano-British settlements, an irregular aggregate field system, and a bowl barrow on Aughertree Fell (5.8 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
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Research the area around Two Roman forts and three sections of Roman road at Caermote