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The Roman Military Presence at Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire: a Reassessment of the Evidence from Aerial, Geophysical and LiDAR Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2019

W.S. Hanson ,
R.E. Jones  and
R.H. Jones
W.S. Hanson
Affiliation:
Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of [email protected]@glasgow.ac.uk
R.E. Jones
Affiliation:
Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of [email protected]@glasgow.ac.uk
R.H. Jones
Affiliation:
Historic Environment [email protected]
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Abstract

The Roman military presence at Dalswinton is reassessed using a range of remote sensing techniques (geophysical survey, LiDAR and aerial photography). At Bankfoot the absence of internal buildings suggests the postulated vexillation fortress was a more temporary structure; while numerous pits/ovens were identified across the interior of the large Stracathro-type camp. The primary fort at Bankhead was provided with in-turned entrances and two small annexes attached to the north-west and south-east quadrants of the fort. A third much larger annexe extended southwards down to the river. Only pits and furnaces were recorded within the annexes, two of which were expanded in Phase 2. Various buildings, including legionary and auxiliary barracks, were identified in the expanded fort of Phase 2, whose orientation remained unchanged. A mixed garrison of legionaries and auxiliary cavalry is indicated for both periods of occupation. Finally, the fort was deliberately demolished. The Roman attribution of the three nearby enclosures at Butterhole Brae can no longer be supported.

Keywords

DalswintonFlavian Scotlandaerial, geophysical and LiDAR surveyRoman fortannexestemporary campsmarching campsvexillation fortress
Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 50 , November 2019 , pp. 285 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2019. Published by The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies 

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References

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