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Air Reconnaissance in Roman Britain 1977–84

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2011

G.S. Maxwell
Affiliation:
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
D.R. Wilson
Affiliation:
Cambridge University Committee for Aerial Photography

Extract

This article continues the series on air reconnaissance in Roman Britain published by Professor J.K. St Joseph in the Journal of Roman Studies between 1951 and 1977. It is at once an affirmation of the undiminished value of this mode of archaeological prospection and an acknowledgement of the notable contribution made by that means to the study of Roman Britain by Professor St Joseph over a period of thirty-five years.

Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 18 , November 1987 , pp. 1 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © G.S. Maxwell and D.R. Wilson 1987. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

1 Cf. Maxwell in Maxwell, G.S. (ed.), The Impact of Aerial Reconnaissance on Archaeology (1983), 2740.Google Scholar

2 Griffith, F.M., Proc. Devon Arch. Soc. xlii (1984), 1132.Google Scholar

3 RAF, photograph, A.C. King, ibid. xxxvi (1978), 254–6; excavation by DrMaxfield, V.A., Britannia xiv (1983), 323Google Scholar; for 1984 photography see Griffith, op. cit. (note 2), 27.

4 Air photography for CUCAP by Prof. J.K. St Joseph, who sent details; excavations by MrGoddard, S. and Prof.Todd, M., Britannia xv (1984), 318–19.Google Scholar xvi (1985), 49–56.

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8 Identification and excavation, Balkwill, C.J., Proc. Devon Arch. Soc. xxxiv (1976), 8992Google Scholar; Bidwell, P.T. et al., Britannia x (1979), 255–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

9 Air photography in 1980 by CUCAP; that in 1984 for Devon County Council by Miss F.M. Griffith, op. cit. (note 2), 12–14.

10 Griffith, ibid., 13–16.

11 Griffith, ibid., 25–6.

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14 Griffith, op. cit. (note 2), 3–4.

15 e.g. Halstead (Essex): Wilson, op. cit. (note 13), 193-4.

16 Edwards, D.A., East Anglian Archaeology ii (1976), 261–2.Google Scholar

17 Edwards, ibid., v (1977), 236–7, pl. xxix-xxx.

18 Air photography by CUCAP; for the fort see Britannia xvii (1986), 1–58.

19 Proc. Suffolk Inst. Arch. xxvii (3) (1957), 179.

20 Farrands, R.H., Colchester Arch. Group Bull. xxii (1979), 1012Google Scholar; Aerial Archaeology ii for 1978 (1979), 86, fig. 32.

21 Frere, S.S. and St Joseph, J.K.S., Roman Britain from the Air (1983), 94, photos 51–2.Google Scholar

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23 By Mr D.A. Edwards for the Norfolk Archaeological Unit: Aerial Archaeology vii for 1981 (1983), 40.

24 By Dr D.N. Riley, who sent details and a plan.

25 Riley, D.N., Britannia viii (1977), 191, fig. 2.Google Scholar

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27 Riley, D.N., Britannia xiv (1983), 270–1CrossRefGoogle Scholar, fig. 10; the camps were first seen by Mr J. Pickering.

28 Riley, D.N., Britannia xi (1980), 330–2CrossRefGoogle Scholar, fig. 9.

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31 Photography by CUCAP in 1979.

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38 By Professors St Joseph, J.K. and Frere, S.S.: Britannia xiii (1982), 360–1Google Scholar; see below p. 49f.; information from Professor St Joseph.

39 Cf. Joseph, St, JRS lxvii (1977), 149–50Google Scholar, fig. 15; Frere and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 21), 105–6, fig. 13.

40 Photography by CUCAP.

41 By Professor G.D.B. Jones, who sent information.

42 Pitts, L.F. and St Joseph, J.K., Inchtuthil (1985), 244–6Google Scholar, figs. 2B, 69.

43 Britannia iii (1972), 311.

44 Photography by CUCAP; similar results were communicated by Dr D.N. Riley.

45 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xliii (1953), 87–8Google Scholar; xlv (1955), 82; lv (1965), 77–8; lxvii (1977), 159.

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47 Photography by CUCAP.

48 By ProfessorJones, G.D.B. and DrHigham, N.J.: Britannia x (1979), 283.Google Scholar

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50 Photography by CUCAP.

51 Frere and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 21), 24–5.

52 By the National Monuments Record (England): Britannia xvi (1985), 273–4, fig. 14.

53 Photography by Professor G.D.B. Jones, who sent details, and by CUCAP; excavation by ProfessorJones, , Britannia xvi (1985), 274.Google Scholar

54 Photography and excavation by ProfessorJones, : Britannia xi (1980), 361Google Scholar; xiii (1982), 345.

55 Photography and excavation by ProfessorJones, : Britannia ix (1978), 423Google Scholar; x (1979), 282–3, pl. XIV a.

56 Britannia xi (1980), 361 (Easton); xiii (1982), 345; xv (1984) 281 (Finglandrigg).

57 By Professor Jones, who sent details: Britannia xvi (1985), 271-2.

58 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xli (1951), 55Google Scholar; xlviii (1958), 87.

59 By Professor D.W. Harding and Mr R. Selkirk; information from Mr R.A.H. Farrar.

60 By Professor G.D.B. Jones: Jones, B., Hadrian's Wall from the Air (1976), 28–9.Google Scholar

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63 Birley, op. cit. (note 61), 147-9.

64 McCord, N., Arch. Ael.4 xlix (1971), 120, pl. XI.Google Scholar

65 Photography by CUCAP.

66 Recorded by RCAHMS in 1983.

67 St Joseph, J.K.S., Glasgow Arch. Journ., iv (1976), 27.Google Scholar

68 First recorded by RCAHMS in 1983 but with fuller detail in the following year by RCAHMS and CUCAP independently.

69 Recorded first by CUCAP in 1977 and again, with more internal detail, by CUCAP and RCAHMS in 1981.

70 Richmond, I.A., JRS xxxiii (1943), 47–9.Google Scholar

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72 Recorded by RCAHMS in 1983.

73 By RCAHMS in 1982–4.

74 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 139.Google Scholar

75 Conducted by G.S.M. with the assistance of the late J.S. Nicoli, who identified the adjacent Kinbuck road-sector.

76 By RCAHMS in 1983, cf. Britannia xv (1984), 275.

77 Recorded by RCAHMS; for results of excavation, see Britannia xiv (1983), 167–72.

78 Tacitus, de vita Agricolae, xxiii.

79 By RCAHMS in 1977; for the results of excavation see Britannia xi (1980), 43–9.

80 Hanson, W.S., Scottish Arch. Forum xii (1980), 5568.Google Scholar

81 Discovered by RCAHMS in 1979; for preliminary trial-excavation, see Britannia xiv (1983), 172–6.

82 Margary, I.D., Roman Roads in Britain3 (1973), 487.Google Scholar

83 On air photographs taken by RCAHMS in 1983–4.

84 Recorded by RCAHMS as an exceptionally fine-detailed parch-mark in 1984.

85 Henshall, A.S., PSAS xcviii (19641966), 204–5, 209–10.Google Scholar

86 Margary, op. cit. (note 82), 468-9.

87 e.g. W. Roy, Military Antiquities (1793), 103.

88 Britannia xiv (1983), 175.

89 Recorded by RCAHMS in 1984.

90 By RCAHMS.

91 Richmond, I.A. and Keeney, G.S., Arch. Ael.4 xiv (1937), 145–7.Google Scholar

92 RCAHMS, Inventory of Midlothian and West Lothian (1929), 140.

93 Discovered by RCAHMS in 1984.

94 Traditionally ‘Tiberius’ Castle', and long held to be proof of a Roman presence in Nithsdale (cf. A. Gordon, Itinerarium Septentrionale (1726), 19).

95 Miller, S.N. (ed.), The Roman Occupation of South-Western Scotland (1952), 6065.Google Scholar

96 Photographed by RCAHMS in 1977, but only identified on later re-examination of available material.

97 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xlviii (1958), 89.Google Scholar

98 Hanson, W.S. and Maxwell, G.S., Rome's North-west Frontier: the Antonine Wall (1986), 67.Google Scholar

99 The small forts (Inverquharity, Mollins, etc.) should properly be compared with earthwork enclosures and such sites as Altenstadt in Phases I and II (H. Schönberger and H.G. Simon, Die Kastelle in Altenstadt, Limesforschungen Band 22 (1983), 1-64); the fortlets, with the numerous ‘kleine Schanzen’ identified throughout the frontier area (e.g. to the E of the fort at Saalburg).

100 Breeze, D.J., The Northern Frontiers of Roman Britain (1982), 61–5, 72.Google Scholar

101 e.g. Pitts and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 42), 273–8.

102 JRS lvi (1966), 270.

103 The area is approximate, since only the outer ditches of a complex defence-system can be seen on the air photographs; the allocation to the Antonine period depends partly on their observed relationships to the Flavian ditches described earlier (p. 19), partly to the discovery that the mid-second-century patera formerly associated with the fortlet at Durisdeer (Britannia i (1970), 221) was in fact found at Auchenskeoch, on the Drumlanrig estate.

104 Maxwell, G.S., PSAS civ (19711972), 169–77.Google Scholar

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106 Breeze, D.J., Britannia v (1974), 130–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

107 By RCAHMS.

108 By RCAHMS.

109 See note 106.

110 Antiquity xiii (1939), 284.

111 Miller, op. cit. (note 95), 117-22.

112 By Professor G.D.B. Jones and by CUCAP in 1977–78.

113 Discovered on Ordnance Survey air photographs of 1972 by J. Condry; DAES 1974, 74.

114 Recorded by RCAHMS.

115 Recorded by RCAHMS; Lanarkshire: an Inventory of the Prehistoric and Roman Monuments (1978), 160.

116 St Joseph, J.K., PSAS lxxxiii (19481949), 170.Google Scholar

117 Cf. Farrar, R.A.H. in Hanson, W.S. and Keppie, L.J.F. (eds.), Roman Frontier Studies 197c: Papers presented to the Twelfth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (1980), 220–31.Google Scholar

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119 Conducted by RCAHMS in 1983.

120 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xlviii (1958), 88.Google Scholar

121 Cf. St Joseph, J.K., JRS lix (1969), 110–11Google Scholar; ibid, lxiii (1973), 220–3.

122 Information from Dr Colin Martin, University of St Andrews.

123 See now Pitts and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 42).

124 Undertaken jointly by Professor J.K.S. St Joseph and G.S.M.; the aerial recording by CUCAP and RCAHMS independently.

125 Pitts and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 42), 255-6.

126 By Dr W.S. Hanson and later RCAHMS independently.

127 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 131–2.Google Scholar

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129 By RCAHMS.

130 Hanson, W.S. and Maxwell, G.S., Britannia xiv (1983), 227–43CrossRefGoogle Scholar (Wilderness Plantation).

131 Steer, K.A., PSAS xc (19561957), 161–9.Google Scholar

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133 Hanson and Maxwell, op. cit. (note 98), 118-19.

134 Excavation directed by Dr L.J.F. Keppie and J.J. Walker (DAES 1982, 29); initial discovery by RCAHMS in 1979.

135 By RCAHMS.

136 St Joseph, J.K., JRS li (1961), 122Google Scholar; lv (1965), 80.

137 e.g. St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 228–33Google Scholar; ibid, lxvii (1977), 143–5; Maxwell, G.S., Scottish Arch. Forum xii (1981), 2554.Google Scholar

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139 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 224.Google Scholar

140 Particularly in 1977 by CUCAP and RCAHMS independently.

141 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 223–4 (Menteith)Google Scholar; an outer line of ditch has also been recorded to the N of the fort annexe, perhaps defining an earlier annexe defence-perimeter.

142 By CUCAP and RCAHMS independently.

143 First recorded as the faintest of crop-marks by CUCAP some thirty years ago.

144 Conducted jointly by Professor J.K.S. St Joseph and G.S.M.

145 By RCAHMS. Cf. Britannia xiv (1983), 177–81.

146 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xlviii (1958), 89.Google Scholar

147 By RCAHMS.

148 By RCAHMS.

149 J.K. St Joseph, loc. cit (note 146).

150 By RCAHMS.

151 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 143–5.Google Scholar

152 Recorded independently over a number of years by CUCAP and RCAHMS; confirmed in trial excavation by Professor J.K. St Joseph and G.S.M.

153 First recorded in 1977 by RCAHMS, and again with greatly enhanced detail in 1984.

154 First recorded in 1976 by RCAHMS, and confirmed in trial excavation by G.S.M. in 1981.

155 During reconnaissance by RCAHMS in 1983–4 (and confirmed by trial excavation in 1984–5).

156 Itinerarium Septentrionale (1726), 114.

157 For a brief discussion of the sources see Miller, op. cit. (note 95), 115–16.

158 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 133, fig. 6 (Coulter).Google Scholar

159 By RCAHMS.

160 RCAHMS, op. cit. (note 115), 136.

161 By Dr I.B.M. Ralston and Mr A.G. Shepherd for Aberdeen Archaeological Surveys in 1982; subsequent trial excavation by Professor J.K. St Joseph and Dr Ralston.

162 Recorded by G.D.B. Jones and I. Keillar in 1984 (DAES 1984, 13, 14).

163 Chiefly by CUCAP; Cf. St Joseph, J.K., Britannia ix (1978), 397400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

164 de Vita Agricolae, cap. xxiv.

165 By Professor G.D.B. Jones in 1977.

166 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 229.Google Scholar

167 Recorded by RCAHMS first in 1978, but with greater detail in 1983–4.

168 Maxwell, G.S., Glasgow Arch. Journ. iv (1976), 93–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

169 Cf. Hanson and Maxwell, op. cit. (note 98), 65-8, 249.

170 By RCAHMS and CUCAP independently.

171 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 230–2.Google Scholar

172 By CUCAP and RCAHMS independently.

173 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 131Google Scholar; ibid. lix (1969), 118–19.

174 Recorded in 1983 by RCAHMS.

175 Recorded first by RCAHMS in 1977, but with more detail in 1984.

176 By CUCAP.

177 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 216.Google Scholar

178 By RCAHMS.

179 By CUCAP.

180 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 131.Google Scholar

181 By CUCAP.

182 Maxwell, G.S., PSAS cxiii (1983), 379–85.Google Scholar

183 By RCAHMS; trial excavation of the easternmost example, in advance of road building, was undertaken for the SDD by G.S.M.

184 Elucidation resulted from a conflation of air photographs taken by both CUCAP and RCAHMS; trial excavation was conducted by J.K. St Joseph and G.S.M. 1981–3 with the particular assistance of the late J.S. Nicoli and J. Fothergill.

185 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxvii (1977), 135Google Scholar; the dimensions there given are corrected in the present account. For a general plan see RCAHMS, Inventory of Stirlingshire, i (1963), III, fig. 46.Google Scholar

186 By RCAHMS in 1982.

187 By CUCAP.

188 By RCAHMS.

189 By RCAHMS.

190 By RCAHMS in 1983–84.

191 St Joseph, J.K., JRS lxiii (1973), 133.Google Scholar

192 By RCAHMS.

193 RCAHMS (1978), op. cit. (note 115), 133, 159, no. 255 (Camp B).

194 Ibid, 159.

195 By RCAHMS.

196 Miller, op. cit. (note 95), 57-9.

197 By CUCAP.

198 By RCAHMS; originally classified as a ‘rectilinear enclosure’.

199 Scholars and members of the public interested to obtain access to these details with regard to individual works are invited to consult the National Monuments Record of Scotland at 54 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH37HF.

200 By Miss F.M. Griffith, op. cit. (note 2), 27.

201 Margary, I.D., Roman Roads in Britain3 (1973), 115.Google Scholar

202 Ibid., 120.

203 By Dyfed Archaeological Trust: H., and James, T., Carmarthenshire Antiquary xx (1984), 24–7.Google Scholar

204 Margary, op. cit. (note 201), 339.

205 Jones, G.D.B., Carmarthenshire Antiquary viii (1972), 316.Google Scholar

206 Air reconnaissance for Northants County Council by Mr G.R. Foard, who sent details.

207 Margary, op. cit. (note 201), 411.

208 Air reconnaissance by Dr D.N. Riley, who sent details and a plan.

209 Kennedy, D.L., Popular Archaeology v (March, 1984), 20–1.Google Scholar

210 Wheeler, R.E.M., Antiquity iii (1929), 182–5, pl. iCrossRefGoogle Scholar; St Joseph, J.K., JRS li (1961), pl. x, iGoogle Scholar; Frere and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 21), 157–8, photo 94; Cf. Frere, S.S., Britannia ii (1971), 2, fig. 1 (plan).Google Scholar

211 Air photography by CUCAP.

212 Wacher, J.S., The Towns of Roman Britain (1974), 62, fig. 15.Google Scholar

213 Aerial Archaeology i for 1977 (1978), 17–19.

214 Cf. Britannia vi (1975), pl. xviii A.

215 Edwards, D.A., East Anglian Archaeology v (1977), 230–3Google Scholar, figs. 99–100, pl. xix-xxiv.

216 At least five possible examples are present on pl. ii illustrating D.R. Wilson's paper in W. Rodwell and T. Rowley (eds.), The ‘Small Towns’ of Roman Britain (1975); Cf. Frere and St Joseph, op. cit. (note 21), 173. The towers were first clearly recognised by Mr S. Upex.

217 Air photography by CUCAP.

218 Northants ii (1979), 91, fig. 89.

219 ibid. 97, fig. 91.

220 By Mr G.R. Foard for Northants County Council: Northants Archaeology xiv (1979), 94; further details from Mr Foard. For previous knowledge of internal buildings see Haverfield, F., Victoria County History Northants I, 1902, fig. 10Google Scholar; St Joseph, J.K., JRS xliii (1953), 92Google Scholar; liii (1963), 135; lv (1965), 87; Wilson, op. cit. (note 216), II; RCHM Northants ii (1979), 91, fig. 89.Google Scholar

221 M.J.T. Lewis, Temples in Roman Britain (1966), fig. 18.

222 Air photography by CUCAP.

223 Wilson, op. cit. (note 216), 10, 14.

224 Air photography by CUCAP.

225 Nash-Williams, V.E., Bull Board Celtic Studies xiv (19501952), 248.Google Scholar

226 Air photography by CUCAP.

227 Cf. P. Salway, The Frontier People of Roman Britain (1965), fig. 5.

228 Air photography by CUCAP, for English Heritage.

229 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xli (1951), 55.Google Scholar

230 Air photography by CUCAP, for English Heritage.

231 Salway, op. cit. (note 227), fig. 8.

232 By Professor G.D.B. Jones: op. cit. (note 60), 28-9.

233 St Joseph, J.K., JRS xlv (1955), 82–3, pl. xviii (2).Google Scholar

234 Air photography by CUCAP.

235 Crop-marks in August 1977 were recorded by Ms.Horne, E.A.: Aerial Archaeology i for 1977 (1978), 17Google Scholar, fig. 9. Crop-marks in 1981 were photographed by MrEdwards, D.A.: Aerial Archaeology vii for 1981 (1983), 40Google Scholar, fig. 44.

236 Rchm, , Northamptonshire 1 (1975), 99, fig. 108.Google Scholar

237 Air photography for Northamptonshire County Council was by Mr G.R. Foard, who sent details.

238 Information was sent by Ms J. Plouviez of the Suffolk Archaeological Unit.

239 Air photography in 1979 by the Suffolk Archaeological Unit.

240 Air photography in 1976–7 by the Suffolk Archaeological Unit.

241 By Mrs I. McMaster.

242 Air photography by Mr D.A. Edwards for the Norfolk Archaeological Unit: East Anglian Archaeology v (1977), 234–5, Pl. xxv–xxvii.

243 Atkinson, D., Norfolk Archaeology xxiii (1929), 166209.Google Scholar

244 Edwards, op. cit. (note 242), 235-6, pl. xxviii.

245 Information from Mr G.R. Foard, who undertook reconnaissance on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council.

246 Rehm, , Northamptonshire 1 (1975), 3, fig. 15.Google Scholar

247 Wilson, D.R., Britannia v (1974), pl. xxii B.Google Scholar

248 Photography in 1975 by CUCAP.

249 Hingley, R., Oxford Journ. Arch. iv (1985), 201–11CrossRefGoogle Scholar, fig. 4.

250 ibid. fig. 3.

251 Photography by CUCAP: Britannia xvi (1985), 263.

252 Vyner, B.E. and White, J., Britannia xvi (1985), 245–6, pls. xx–xxi.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

253 Air photography by Professor G.D.B. Jones, who sent information.

254 Photographs taken by CUCAP may be consulted in the University's Collection of Air Photographs at the Mond Building, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF. Most regional fliers in England deposit copies of their photographs with the National Monuments Record, 23 Savile Row, London, WIX IAB. In Wales the principal archives are held by the four County Archaeological Trusts.