Milecastle 29

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Milecastle 29 (Tower Tye) was a

Milecastle 29 was a long-axis milecastle though the gateway type cannot be identified. Such milecastles were thought to have been constructed by the legio VI Victrix who were based in Eboracum (York), or by the legio XX Valeria Victrix who were based in Deva Victrix (Chester).^[2]

The milecastle was stated in 1840 as having dimensions of 63 feet (19 m) North-South by 58 feet (18 m) East-West with both southern corners (away from the wall) being rounded off.^[3]

The presence of a milecastle ditch is still evident, including a causeway crossing the ditch opposite the milecastle's south gate. A break in the north mound of the vallum and causeway over the vallum ditch (offset to the east) is also present. There is also disputable evidence of a causeway over the wall ditch opposite the milecastle's north gate.^[3]

Excavations and investigations

• Pre-1732 – The milecastle is visited by
  John Horsley. He felt that the milecastle may be detached from the wall. No subsequent evidence supports this.^[4]

• 1840 – Rev John Hodgson reports the dimensions of the milecastle, and describes the southern corners as rounded.^[5]

• 1858 – Henry MacLauchlan reports that the milecastle's remains "have been long since demolished, and low banks covered with turf were left to indicate where the walls had been".^[6]

• 1957 – The 11th edition of the Handbook to the Roman Wall is published, noting that the milecastle was "long axis", and the presence of indications of an external ditch, in this case at the south-west angle, and also on the east side; the purpose possibly being for drainage.^[7]

• 1989 – English Heritage Field Investigation (as part of the Hadrian's Wall Project). It was noted that the milecastle survived as clearly defined robber trenches on all sides, and that the well-defined hollow of an external ditch existed at the south-west side.^[1]

Associated turrets

Each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a

Turret 29A

Turret 29A (Black Carts) is located about 100 metres (110 yd) east of the minor road to

The internal measurements of the turret are 3.45 metres (11.3 ft) by 3.40 metres (11.2 ft) and it is of a type thought to have been built by the Legio XX Valeria Victrix. The entrance is 0.9 metres (3.0 ft) wide, and located in the east side of the south wall.[3]^[9]

On the south side, the vallum is still visible.^[12]

The turret was excavated in 1873, 1912 and finally in 1971, prior to being consolidated by the

Location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map: 55°02′10″N 2°10′57″W / 55.036009°N 2.182452°W / 55.036009; -2.182452 (Turret 29A)

Turret 29B

Turret 29B (Limestone Bank) remains as a low earthwork, turf covered with little (if any) visible masonry. The track connecting the turret to the Military Way can also be discerned.^[13]

Excavations in 1912 revealed the turret to have wing walls, and a very similar layout to Turet 29A. Roofing slabs (many pierced by nails) were found among debris inside the turret, along with three large flagstones, possibly from an upper floor. Below these were two occupation levels. The later floor was of flags, and the original, clay. On the south-west corner, on the later floor, a masonry platform had been constructed. Beside the east wall, an amphora had been set into the clay and cobbles, while a hearth lay against the west wall. The following artefacts were also discovered:^[3]

• Shield boss
• Spear head
• Brooches
• Melon Bead
• Gaming board
• Millstone fragments
• 2 Flints
• Pottery revealing that occupation did not extend beyond the second century AD

Location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map: 55°02′15″N 2°11′22″W / 55.037481°N 2.189484°W / 55.037481; -2.189484 (Turret 29B)

Monument records

Public access

The Milecastle and both turrets are accessible from the Hadrian's Wall National Trail.

References