Newton Kyme, on the north bank of the River Wharfe in West Yorkshire, is a multi-period site dominated by two superimposed Roman forts guarding the road between Tadcaster (Calcaria) and Ilkley (Olicana). The earlier turf-and-timber fort is likely Flavian or Antonine, while the later, larger stone fort with substantial walls and angle towers is of late 3rd or 4th-century date, possibly reflecting a Constantian or later reorganisation of the northern defences.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
The late stone fort is unusual in northern Britain for its size (c. 2.4 ha) and massive defences, suggesting a significant role in late Roman frontier logistics or as a strategic outpost behind Hadrian's Wall, perhaps linked to the wider system that included York (Eboracum). Its associated vicus and the proximity of two temporary marching camps indicate sustained military activity and a focal point in the Wharfe valley.
The site is best known from cropmark evidence and aerial photography, supplemented by limited excavation and geophysical survey, which have revealed the double-ditched fort defences, internal road network, and traces of the vicus, alongside the prehistoric henge, barrows and Iron Age enclosure. No major modern excavation has been published, and detailed dating of the two fort phases remains imprecise, relying largely on surface finds and morphological comparison with sites such as Piercebridge
Newton Kyme, on the north bank of the River Wharfe in West Yorkshire, is a multi-period site dominated by two superimposed Roman forts guarding the road between Tadcaster (Calcaria) and Ilkley (Olicana). It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fort site from the Roman period in Britain.
Two Roman forts, two Roman camps, vicus, Iron Age enclosure, Bronze Age barrows and Neolithic henge monument west of Newton Kyme 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 Newton Kyme (0.5 km), Calcaria (3.3 km), Roman road near Hazelwood Castle (4.9 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, two Roman camps, vicus, Iron Age enclosure, Bronze Age barrows and Neolithic henge monument west of Newton Kyme