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Corstopitum (corbridge)

Pertinax

Entry posted by Pertinax

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I return from a fruitful photo sweep of the site of this "behind the Wall" strategic fort excavation.

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1412

 

Corstopitum is a Stanegate (strategic crosss country road) installation, pre-dating Hadrian's Wall but repeatedly rebuilt as a crucial supply depot and major civilian settlement. Only a fraction of the site has been excavated , but we see that there are some impressive items in the museum , and some worthwhile remains on site.The attested extent of the base and its vicus amount to approx 30 acres, from aerial photographic analysis -so what we have displayed at the existing site is a fraction of the developed area.

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1411

 

The fort evolved from early wooden construction to later stone re-build , via considerable growth and re-planning/rebuilding , to finally function as a strategic HQ for Severus in his Caledonian campaigns.

 

I know that Augustus is pressing on with his work regarding the Wall Forts and associated defences, though he is a little pressed for time at present . I will give a revised blog linkage to his excellent site when He has had sufficient breathing space to build gallery and information areas.

Here we have the underground strong room where the Soldiers pay was kept.

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1409

The site has some excellent granary foundations , including a mullioned vent duct still in situ ( I must get out more , musnt I?) , and the remains of a public fountain .The dressed rustic style masonry on view shows the quality required for important tactical buildings

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1410

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1408

The Stanegate ran through the early Fort site, later becoming enclosed by the rebuilt and enlarged Fort.

 

There are some thought ful presentations of Roman deities in the Museum area , in particualr a small portable shrine to Thrice Blessed Hermes:

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1396

 

The Great Lady is not forgotten:

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1398

We see Minerva (left) aiding Herakles in his great labours:

http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?act=mo...si&img=1397

Offsite I have a monster upload of images:

http://triclinium.spaces.live.com/

 

I should add that we now have a nice congruity of museum and re-enactment, as LEG II AVG were an early garisson unit at this site, so if you scroll back down the blog you will see them as late Claudian (onwards) troops in this very locality.

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DecimusCaesar

Very good selection Pertinax. I found the portable shrine to Hermes interesting as well as the image of Hercules. I notice the room for the soldiers pay is a often the best preserved part of Roman forts in Britain, probably because it was underground.

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Pertinax

Great pictures Pertinax. I hope you don't mind: I'm going to link your photodump to the Roma Victor game based around Corstopitum.

I would be honoured. Can you give me a link back to that site please?

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Pertinax

Very good selection Pertinax. I found the portable shrine to Hermes interesting as well as the image of Hercules. I notice the room for the soldiers pay is a often the best preserved part of Roman forts in Britain, probably because it was underground.

 

Thank you, and oddly enough this was the site where the "Corbridge Hoard" was found:

http://www.legionxxiv.org/lrgcorbrghoard.htm

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Favonius Cornelius

Great pictures Pertinax. I hope you don't mind: I'm going to link your photodump to the Roma Victor game based around Corstopitum.

I would be honoured. Can you give me a link back to that site please?

 

It's in here, but I don't think you can access it unless you have a forum account and are in the game maybe.

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WotWotius

Isn't there evidence to suggest that Corbridge was violently sacked during the inter Agricolan-Hadrian's Wall period. I once read an archaeological journal on the matter - when I find it again, I shall post more information.

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Pertinax

Isn't there evidence to suggest that Corbridge was violently sacked during the inter Agricolan-Hadrian's Wall period. I once read an archaeological journal on the matter - when I find it again, I shall post more information.

 

The problem seems to be that standard "refurb" technique for army units seems to have been "cleanse by fire" prior to a total rebuild. Its possible that the buildings could have been stone to sill height only, and if a granary were "infected" (fungus/beetle) then fire would be the best way to clean up.This doesnt mean the base wasnt attacked, but it also means accidental damage could be a possibility. Anything you can find would be useful to add to the blog.

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