Julius Verus and the Abandonment of Antonine Scotland

Hanson, W. S.; Breeze, David J.

doi:10.1017/s0068113x2000001x

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Slow erosion over time, followed by some more substantial deterioration deposits interspersed by working surfaces, indicate that the rampart stood soundly for a considerable time, but also that it would have needed regular maintenance. The small-scale erosion and trampling could already have occurred within a few years of construction; more substantial but not catastrophic erosion which was followed by repair and likely consolidation of upper levels was clearly happening at a later stage; but all this could have coincided within a single phase of Roman occupation (see Hodgson 1995;2009;2011;Hanson & Breeze 2020b). This might suggest that after c 25 years, when the turf rampart of the Antonine Wall would have needed substantial repairs, the decision was taken, in light of then-current political developments, to abandon rather than to rebuild (compare Hodgson 2009;2011).…”

Section: Conclusion: 'Another Wall Of Turf'mentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Another wall of turf’

Romankiewicz¹,

Russell²,

Bailey³

et al. 2022

PSAS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Excavation of a well-preserved stretch of the rampart of the Antonine Wall east of Watling Lodge, at Laurieston, allowed for the first micromorphological study of its earthen building materials. This revealed that the rampart core, as well as the cheeks, were constructed in well layered courses of turf blocks – but sourced from different grasslands. The evidence differs from macroscopic observations made at other sections in this area where the rampart material had been interpreted as representing a loose earth core with clay cheeks. Our results show that even when the characteristic striped sections indicative of turf are not visible in the field, thin-section analysis can confirm the use of intact soil blocks with the remains of grassed surfaces. It now seems possible that the visible variation between materials in the eastern and western sectors of the Antonine Wall may simply be due to different types of turf used, varying in subsoil composition and topsoil formation, and representing differences in landscape management and survival of vegetation. Combined with macroscopic field recording to identify Roman building practices, our analysis of this section at Laurieston also shows the care that was taken to construct a level, well-draining base for the rampart to avoid slumping and moisture build-up. Further excavations and thin-section analysis elsewhere along the Wall are now needed to confirm whether turf was more extensively used than so far anticipated for the eastern sector and whether the Antonine Wall could possibly have been built completely of turf. Such conclusions would suggest a much more standardised construction process and more extensive grassland exploitation than considered up until now. While our results demonstrate the importance of micromorphological analysis for understanding this earthen UNESCO World Heritage site, our interdisciplinary approach may also have wider relevance for research on linear earthworks in different geographical and chronological settings.

show abstract

Section: Conclusion: 'Another Wall Of Turf'mentioning

confidence: 99%