The Roman military presence at Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire: a reassessment of the evidence from aerial, geophysical and LiDAR survey

Hanson, W.S., Jones, R.E. and Jones, R.H. (2019) The Roman military presence at Dalswinton, Dumfriesshire: a reassessment of the evidence from aerial, geophysical and LiDAR survey. Britannia, 50, pp. 285-320. (doi: 10.1017/S0068113X1900031X)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jones, Dr Richard and Hanson, Professor William
• Authors: Hanson, W.S., Jones, R.E., and Jones, R.H.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Journal Name: Britannia
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0068-113X
• ISSN (Online): 1753-5352
• Published Online: 24 June 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Britannia 50: 285-320
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy