Milefortlet 12
Milefortlet 12 | |
---|---|
Type | Milecastle |
Place in the Roman world | |
Province | Britannia |
Location | |
Coordinates | 54°51′35″N 3°23′49″W / 54.859734°N 3.396966°W |
Town | Blitterlees |
County | Cumbria |
Country | England |
Reference | |
UK-OSNG reference | NY10425255 |
Milefortlet 12 (Blitterlees) was a
Description
Milefortlet 12 is situated southwest of the village of Silloth in the same parish.[1] The site is damaged by wind erosion and quarrying, and it is covered by vegetation.[1] Substantial earthworks were identified in 1963, and the site was excavated in 1967. The excavations showed that the fort was originally of turf and timber construction.[1]
A Roman coin hoard of 20 to 30 coins of Vespasian was found 700 metres to the east (at "Greenrow School") in 1841.[2]
Associated Towers
Each milefortlet had two associated towers, similar in construction to the turrets built along Hadrian's Wall. These towers were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a
Tower 12A was discovered in 1963 as a hillock among the ancient sand-hills. It was excavated in 1966, and was found to have been originally 6 metres square, with later repairs reducing the size to 6 metres by 4.5 metres.[3] Tower 12B was discovered in 1955 and excavated in 1956. The excavations uncovered five hearths, and sherds of cooking pots, one of which had been mended with a lead rivet.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Historic England, "Milefortlet 12 (9673)", Research records (formerly PastScape), retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ Historic England, "Monument No. 875466", Research records (formerly PastScape), retrieved 7 December 2013
- ^ a b Historic England, "Tower 12A (9672)", Research records (formerly PastScape), retrieved 27 November 2013
- ^ a b Historic England, "Tower 12B (9667)", Research records (formerly PastScape), retrieved 27 November 2013