Roman Fortlet (R) (site of) OS 6" map, (1971) This Roman Fortlet, first revealed by crop-markings on air photographs (visible on CUCAP air photographs U 53-6, V81), occupies a commanding position, attached to the S side of the Antonine Wall, on the northern crest of a low ridge overlooking the valley of the River Kelvin immediately N of Wilderness Plantation. Excavation of the site by Wilkes (1974) in 1965-6 showed that the fortlet was of one build with the Wall and thus represented an original element in its construction. Although ploughing in recent times had removed most of the S half of the fortlet, it was possible to estimate that it had originally measured about 19.8 m by 17.5 m internally. The N defence was formed by the Wall and its Ditch, of which only the former could be even partially examined during the excavation, while on the remaining three sides the fortlet was defended by a turf rampart laid on a stone foundation 3.0 m thick and by double ditches. The inner ditch, separated from the outer face of the rampart by a berm 4.3 m broad, measured 3.7 m wide by 2.1 m deep; the outer lay 2.7 m beyond the inner and measured 4.0 m by 2.4 m. Both were interrupted for a short distance opposite the presumed position of the S gate. The N gate, however, which consisted of a single passageway 2.0 m wide, with sides revetted by a timber framework, does not appear, on the evidence of the air photographs, to have been provided with a causeway across the Antonine Ditch. The interior contained a number of post-holes belonging to the first phase of occupation (A-J on plan), as well as a stone-line culvert (K), two hearths (L, M), an irregularly-shaped turf-packed pit (N), and a short length of a shallow channel (P), possibly a drain. Post-holes A, B, C and D probably belonged to a rectangular timber barrack about 4.3 m wide and at least 6.1 m long, and the W side of a complementary building may be indicated by H and J. Although the purpose of the remaining post-holes (E, F and G) is uncertain, the excavator suggested that they marked the positions of lean-to structures erected over the two hearths. At some later date, however, the timber buildings were removed and the interior of the fortlet was covered with cobbling. Considerable quantities of coarse pottery were found, both above and below the cobbled layer, especially around the two hearths, which appeared to have remained in use during the second phase of occupation; all the sherds were datable to the Antonine period.
Source: Pleiades — A Community-Built Gazetteer and Graph of Ancient Places. View the Pleiades record →
Roman Fortlet (R) (site of) OS 6" map, (1971) This Roman Fortlet, first revealed by crop-markings on air photographs (visible on CUCAP air photographs U 53-6, V81), occupies a commanding position, attached to the S side of the Antonine Wall, on the northern crest of a low ridge overlooking the valley of the River Kelvin immediately N of Wilderness Plantation. It is recorded in the Pleiades gazetteer of ancient places as a fortlet site from the Roman period in Britain.
Wilderness Plantation Roman fortlet is classified as a Roman fortlet — 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 Balmuildy Roman Fort (1.7 km), Cadder (2 km), Bearsden Roman bath house (5.2 km). Aubrey Research maps over 2,200 Roman sites across Britain, drawn from the Pleiades ancient world gazetteer.
Aubrey Research generates detailed historical reports for any location in Britain, incorporating Roman heritage, Domesday Book records, scheduled monument data, archaeological finds and much more. Enter a nearby address to begin.
This page covers the Roman site at Wilderness Plantation Roman fortlet. A full Aubrey report for the area pulls together this site alongside scheduled monuments and everything else the record holds within a few miles:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain, drawing on Roman heritage, Domesday records, scheduled monument data and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Wilderness Plantation Roman fortlet