Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown Roman site in a back garden near Glasgow, Scotland. According to newly published research by GUARD Archaeology, the site has been identified as an Antonine Wall Roman fortlet located beneath the back gardens of houses in Bearsden.
The Boclair Road Roman Fortlet as it may once have been, by Eduardo Pérez-Fernández. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
In 2017, archaeological investigations were carried out in the gardens of three neighboring residential properties in Bearsden. These investigations uncovered the stone foundations of a turf rampart. The work was funded by the individual landowners ahead of planned development, in line with planning conditions set by East Dunbartonshire Council.
Historic Environment Scotland recognized this as a rare but valuable opportunity to learn more about the area just south of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site. They then commissioned additional excavation, which uncovered a parallel ditch containing peat deposits, wood, and other vegetation. A geophysical survey also revealed stone structures that are likely surviving sections of the Antonine Wall itself.
These discoveries are particularly important because both the kerbed stone base and its parallel ditch were aligned at right angles to the Antonine Wall where it passes through Bearsden. This orientation suggests a deliberate relationship with the Wall rather than a random or unrelated feature.
Linear kerbed stone base discovered in the back gardens of Bearsden Credit: GUARD Archaeology
Radiocarbon dating of wood recovered from the bottom of the ditch produced a date range of AD 127–247. This places the feature firmly within the period when the Antonine Wall was in use and in the years immediately following its abandonment. Further supporting this dating, two sherds of Roman pottery were later found beneath the stone base, indicating Roman activity associated with the structure.
The Antonine Wall itself was constructed in the years after AD 142 by the Roman army, acting on the orders of Emperor Antoninus Pius, from whom it takes its name. Running across central Scotland, it effectively divided the Roman-controlled territories in the south from the unconquered lands to the north. In contrast to Hadrian’s Wall, which was built of stone, the Antonine Wall consisted of a turf rampart set on a stone foundation. Its occupation was relatively short-lived: by the AD 160s, little more than two decades after its construction, the Romans withdrew southwards and re-established their frontier along Hadrian’s Wall.
In situ wood found within Roman Fortlet Ditch at Bearsden. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
This small fortlet was built on high ground right beside the Antonine Wall. Its elevated position gave it excellent views over the surrounding landscape, especially to the north, beyond the limits of Roman control. It was also within direct line of sight of the larger Roman fort at Bearsden, located slightly to the west on lower ground.
This visual connection suggests that the fortlet formed an active part of the Wall’s defensive system. Along the Antonine Wall, larger forts were supported by smaller fortlets like this one, where small detachments from the main garrisons could be stationed to observe movement and maintain security.
Contour map with location of present work and Bearsden Roman fort. Credit: GUARD Archaeology
Specialist study of plant remains and fossil beetles from the bottom of the ditch has provided a picture of the landscape at the time the fortlet was in use. The area was largely open pasture, with patches of partially cleared woodland. The main tree species present were alder, hazel, and willow, with smaller amounts of oak and birch. Grasses grew in the cleared areas, indicating grazing or managed open ground.
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Excavations in three gardens in Bearsden have highlighted how crucial careful planning is for archaeological research and for identifying previously unknown sites. Because of their position and dating, the remains found in the back gardens of Boclair Road are associated with the Antonine Wall. The evidence suggests that the stone base there supported a turf wall, and that the ditch formed part of the perimeter ditch of a previously unknown Roman fortlet.
Source: GUARD Archaeology
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer