Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Hadrian's Wall

Warmly dressed we drove the short distance across to the wall with our first stop at The Roman Army Museum.  After a 3D film we explored the many artifacts on display. This museum is built on the site of the Roman city of Magna.


There were full scale models of Roman forces, weaponry and more everyday items such as clothing and tools.

We drove back to Birdoswald Roman Fort that we passed yesterday. All that remains is the outline of the buildings at ground level. Most of the excavation is still to be undertaken.


This must not be the wall as you are not allowed to walk or climb on the actual wall.

We visited the Cawfields Quarry where much of the stone for Roman buildings and the wall came from.

 

                                                      It is a very picturesque place.

Vindolanda was the original Roman town and administrative headquarters that was built before the wall. It covers a large area and was a remarkable place to visit.







This is an original milestone. There are also modern ones that include the distance to Rome.


There was also a museum with many interesting items. This is a gravestone of an unknown woman.



                                                           The Vindolanda Calendar.
There are only three calendar fragments of this type that have been found. The other two were found in France.


                                                                Horse's chamfron.


The famous sycamore tree at Sycamore Gap. It featured in "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves "
Kevin Costner rescued the boy here! It has been voted Britain's favourite tree.

Our final stop was at the largest and best preserved Roman fort in Britain. Housesteads Roman Fort was huge. It is about a mile uphill to reach it but worth the effort.

                                   
                         Gail with a section of wall behind. It is large and solid at this point.


Each of the areas was identified with specific buildings for all sorts of purposes.


                                            It was cold and we were getting very tired.


                                                             Food storage granaries.


                                                  The lambs wandered all over the sites!
















1 comment:

David said...

Wall and fort look interesting did you grab couple of rocks for bank at Conjola?