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The Camps at Ardoch, Stracathro and Ythan Wells: Recent Excavations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2011

J. K. St. Joseph
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Abstract

North of the Antonine Wall, four series of temporary camps have recently been distinguished. They are described as the ‘Stracathro-type’, from the distinctive gateway-plan first clearly demonstrated at Stracathro, and the 30-acre, 63-acre and 120-acre camps, after the average size of the different series. Much knowledge is to be gained if these camps can be related to the various Roman campaigns beyond the Antonine Wall, but temporary camps are notably difficult to date. Consideration of the distribution of the four series, and of the relative ages of the few camps that actually overlap, as demonstrated by excavation, has gone far towards solving the problem. Excavations at three key sites are here reported: since the crucial evidence is provided by ditch-sections, these are described minutely with the aid of detailed drawings (FIGS. 3–4, 5 and 9), specially prepared by Mr. D. R. Wilson. The excavations at Stracathro took place in September 1967, those at Ythan Wells in September 1968, and those at Ardoch in September 1969.

Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 1 , November 1970 , pp. 163 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © J. K. St. Joseph 1970. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

1 J.R.S., lix, 1969, 113–19.Google Scholar

2 Stracathro lies on the Careston estates, and permission to dig was kindly given by Colonel W. J. Campbell Adamson of Careston Castle: for permission to dig at Ythan Wells, thanks are due to Mr. I. A. Cruickshank of Logie Newton, and at Ardoch to Mr. D. Rowe of Braco. It may be recorded that Mr. Cruickshank senior, who visited our excavations, remembered the digging undertaken at Ythan Wells by Haverfield and Macdonald 55 years before.

3 Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot., xxxii, 1898, 399–476. The early records of the site are discussed on pp. 399–411.Google Scholar

4 W. Roy, Military Antiquities, 1793, pl. x.

5 J.R.S., lix, 1969, fig. 4 on p. 115.Google Scholar

6 The numbers in brackets refer to the numbered camps in the new plan (Fig. 1).

7 Nos. 298, 320, 321 and 322 on O.S. sheet Perthshire, CXVII, 6 (190: edn.).

8 Near the point defined by grid reference NN 837106.

9 The filling also yielded a small fragment of a mortarium.

10 Amending slightly the dimensions given in J.R.S., xlviii, 1958, 93.Google Scholar

11 J.R.S., lix, 1969, 112–13.Google Scholar

12 Fields nos. 220 and 677 on O.S. sheet Aberdeenshire xxvii, 11 (1901 edn.). The excavations took place in field 678 now united with 677.

13 For example on the west side of the camp at Balmakewan, Kincardineshire.

14 The excavations at Stracathro were undertaken with the help of Dr. R. M. Ogilvie, Mr. D. K. Faulks, Mr. G. Maxwell, and Mr. J. J. Robertson; the work at Ythan Wells was done with the help of Dr. R. S. Hardie, Dr. Ogilvie, R. H. L. Jenkyns and A. R. R. Sheppard; at Ardoch, the labour force included Dr. K. Steer, Dr. Hardie, Dr. Ogilvie, Mr. D. R. Wilson and Mr. Maxwell. Without this help the results could not have been obtained.

15 Tacitus, Agricola, 25, diviso et ipse in tres partes exercitu incessit.

16 Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and to the Administrators of the Haverfield Bequest for grants towards the costs of this field-work and excavation.