Corbridge: Excavations of the Roman Fort and Town, 1947-80

348 Pages·1988·45.872 MB·English

by  Mike C. Bishop, John N. Dore

Corb ridge
Excavations of the Roman fort and town, 1947-80

Archaeological Report no 8
Cor bridge
Excavations of the Roman fort and town, 1947-80
J
M C Bishop and N Do re
with contributions by L Allason-Jones, D Alien, J Bayley, P J Casey, B Dickinson, BR
Hartley, K F Hartley, M Henig, A Lid don, DJ Rackham, and G Soffe
Historic Buildings & Monuments Commission for England
1988

Contents 6 The defences .............................................. 87
Introduction .................................................... 87
Description ..................................................... 87
The eastern defences ........................................ 87
The western defences ....................................... 93
List of tables
The ditches ..................................................... 94
List of figures
The early defences below the third century com-
Acknowledgements
pounds .......................................................... 95
Structural sequence ...................................... 97
1 Introduction ................................................ 1
Outline history of excavations ............................. 1 7 Excavations in other areas ........................... 105
The examination and understanding of the site ....... 1 Introduction .................................................. 105
The documentary archive ................................... 3 Site 11 .......................................................... 105
The presentation of the evidence ...................... 4 Site 9 ........................................................... 105
Interpreting the site record .................................. 4 Site 4 ........................................................... 110
Presentation ..................................................... 4 The West Compound ...................................... 110
The components tables ................................... 5 The inter-compound area ................................ 110
Relationship tables ........................................ 5 Sites 20, 44, Temple 3 ...................................... 110
Microfiche .................................................... 5
8 General discussion .................................... 126
2 The setting .................................................. 7 The structural history ...................................... 126
The topography and geology of the site ................. 7 The reconstruction plans .............................. 126
The prehistoric remains ...................................... 7 Earlier occupation of the area ............................ 126
Roman Corbridge: the evidence of air photography 8 The primary fort: phase la ................................ 126
Background and introduction .......................... 8 The plan ................................................... 128
The fort ....................................................... 8 The 'headquarters building' (Building a) ......... 128
Buildings and streets in the military compounds The 'hospital' or store building (Building b) ..... 128
and civil town ............................................... 9 The granary (Building c) .............................. 128
The outer defences ....................................... 11 Building d ........... : ..................................... 129
The evidence for extra-mural features ............... 11 Building e ................................................. 129
Conclusion .................................................. 12 Building f .................................................. 129
Building g ................................................. 129
3 The principia (Headquarters building) ............ 13 Building h ................................................. 129
Introduction .................................................... 13 Interpretation ............................................ 129
(cid:103)(cid:126)(cid:115)(cid:115)(cid:99)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:32)(cid:105)(cid:126)(cid:32) The primary fort: phase lb ................................ 129
Building j .................................................. 131
Phase I ....................................................... 13 Building k ................................................. 131
Phase 11 ...................................................... 19 Interpretation ............................................ 131
Phase Ill ..................................................... 21 The secondary fort: phase 11 ............................. 131
Phase IV ..................................................... 21 The plan ................................................... 131
Post-fort activity ........................................... 22 The principia (Building a) .............................. 131
Structural sequence ...................................... 22 Building b ................................................. 133
Building c ................................................. 133
4 The area of the praetorium (Commanding Offi- The granaries (Building d) ............................ 133
cer's House) .................................................... 33 The barracks (Buildings e-j) .......................... 133
Introduction .................................................... 33 Building k ................................................. 133
(cid:103)(cid:55)(cid:58)(cid:99)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:32) (cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:32) The praetorium ............................................ 133
:::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::: ::::: ::: The secondary fort: phase Ill ............................ 133
Phase I ....................................................... 33 The plan ................................................... 135
Phase 11 ...................................................... 45 The principia (Building a) .............................. 135
Phase Ill ..................................................... 45 The granaries (Buildings band c) ................... 135
Phase IV ..................................................... 47 Building d ................................................. 135
Post-fort activity .......................................... .48 The barracks (Buildings e-j) .......................... 135
Structural sequence ..................................... .48 Building k ................................................. 135
The praetorium ............................................ 135
5 The barracks in the retentura ......................... 67 The secondary fort: phase IV a ........................... 135
Introduction .................................................... 67 The plan ................................................... 135
(cid:103)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:99)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:32) (cid:126)(cid:59)(cid:32) The principia (Building a) .............................. 135
:::::::::: ::::: The 'praetorium' (Building b) ......................... 135
Phase I ....................................................... 67 Building c ................................................. 137
Phase 11 ...................................................... 68 Building d ................................................. 137
Phase Ill ..................................................... 68 The western granary (Building e) ................... 137
Phase IV ..................................................... 68 The eastern granary (Building f) .................... 137
Post-fort activity ........................................... 68 Building g ................................................. 137
Structural sequence ...................................... 68 The barracks (Buildings h-m) ........................ 137
Building n ................................................. 137 Zusammenfassung ......................................... 296
The secondary fort: phase IVb .......................... 137 Bibliography ................................................ 298
The plan ................................................... 137
The principia (Building a) .............................. 137 Context no index ........................................... 302
The praetorium ('Commanding Officer's House') Finds group index .......................................... 307
(Building b) ............................................... 137 Section drawing index .................................... 320
The drain (c) .............................................. 139
The barracks (Buildings d-f) ......................... 139 Microfiche contents
Post-fort ....................................................... 139 Context list
Severan and later ........................................... 139 Introduction ............................................ l:A4
The dating of the phases .................................. 140 The contexts ............................................ l:A5
Conclusions .................................................. 140 Finds groups
Introduction ............................................ 2:A3
9 The coins by P J Casey ................................. 142 The finds groups ...................................... 2:A4
Cataloguing conventions ................................. 142 Section drawings ......................................... 3:A3
Discussion .................................................... 142 Iron nails (compiled by L Allason-Jones) ............... 3:01
Coarseware (by J N Dare)
10 The small finds ....................................... 159 Finds groups 1953-73 ................................ 4:A3
1 Silver ....................................................... 159 From the 1980 season ................................. 4:B2
2 Copper alloy .............................................. 159 Samian (by J N Dare)
3 Iron ......................................................... 193 1947-73-Provenanced groups .................... .4:C1
Nails (see microfiche M301-E1) .................... 198 The 1980 season-by context ....................... 4:06
4 Lead ........................................................ 198
5 Pewter ..................................................... 202
6 Glass ........................................................ 203
7 Bone and antler (materials identified by D J Rack-
ham) ......................................................... 205
8 Shale ........................................................ 212
9 Pottery objects (fabrics identified by J N Dare) ...... 213
10 Stone (Not illustrated) ................................. 214
11 Flint by A Liddon ......................................... 216
12 Leather (Not illustrated) .............................. 218
13 Wood ....................................................... 218
14 Intaglio by M Henig ..................................... 218
15 Examination and analysis of small finds from
List of tables
Corbridge by J Bayley ................................... 218
11 The pottery by J N Dare, with contributions by B
1 Excavations 1947-73 ....................................... 6
Dickinson, BR Hartley and K F Hartley .................. 219
2 Principia components table ............................. 24
The samian ..................................................... 219
3 Components table for the area of the praetorium 49
Introduction .................................................. 219
4 Barracks components table ............................. 72
The destruction deposit ............................... 220
5 Defences components table ............................ 98
1 Samian potters' stamps from Corbridge by B
6 Site9table ................................................. 116
Dickinson and B R Hartley .............................. 221
7 West Compound components table ............... 118
2 Decorated ware from the 1947-73 seasons ....... 228
8 Inter-compound components table ................ 121
3 Decorated ware from the 1980 and 1976 sea-
9 Site 20 components table .............................. 122
sons ......................................................... 237
4 Selected Or 29s by B Dickinson and BR Hartley ... 243 10 Site 44 and Temple 3 components table ........... 123
11 Possible evidence for the primary fort from outside
The coarseware ................................................ 247
the central area .......................................... 128
Introduction .................................................. 247
12 The evidence for the dating of the fort at
1 Coarseware from the seasons 1953-73 ............ 249
Corb ridge ................................................. 140
Mortaria from the 1953--73 seasons by K F
13 Corbridge coins, 1947-73: coin list by issuer and
Hartley ...................................................... 265
period ...................................................... 143
2 Coarseware from the 1980 season .................. 269
14 Hoard 11 ................................................... 153
Stamped mortaria from the 1980 season by K F
15 Hoard 7 .................................................... 154
Hartley ...................................................... 286
16 Index to Corbridge coins catalogue numbers by
Material from the 1976 season ....................... 286
find date ................................................... 154
17 Index to Corbridge coin catalogue by find lo-
12 Roman glass from Corbridge by D Alien ....... 287
cation ....................................................... 155
1 Blue-green and coloured .............................. 287
18 Coins found on Site 9 in 1980 ........................ 156
2 Colourless ................................................. 292
19 Samian totals ............................................. 220
20 Coarseware: vessel class and fabric totals ........ 250
(cid:105)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:126)(cid:58)(cid:46)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:58)(cid:32)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:126)(cid:32) 21 Catalogue of coarseware from the 1953--73
seasons .................................................... 251
List of illustrations 41a Component relationship table for the barracks
in the retentura
41b Component relationship table for the barracks
in the retentura
1 Key to sections and plans 42 Plan showing the area of the defences
2 Location plan 43 Sections 175, 177, 178
3 W H Knowles plan showing the excavations of 44 Sections 179, 180
1906-14 45 Sections 182, 200
4 Plan showing the excavations o£1947-80 46 Section 220
5 Plan of the immediate area around the Roman 47 Plan of the area of Temple 3/Site 44 showing the
site at Corbridge fort phases
6 Plan of the area of the principia showing all 48 Plan of the 1966 excavation of the East Gate
phases 49 Plan showing two postholes in the defences
7 Section 141 50 Component location plan for the defences
8 Phase I plan of the area of the principia 51 Component relationship table for the defences
9 Phase II plan of the area of the principia 52 Plan showing the location of the other exca-
10 Phase Ill plan of the area of the principia vated areas
11 Phase IV plan of the area of the principia 53 Sections183, 186,188,201,213
12 Post-fort phase plan of the area of the principia 54 Plan of the 1980 excavation of Site 9
13 Component location plan of the area of the 55 Plan of the hearth in trench 1 of Site 9
principia for phases I-IV 56 Schematic diagram showing floor levels within
14 Component location plan of the area of the the stone buildings on Site 9
principia for the post-fort phase 57 Component relationship table for Site 9
15 (cid:67)(cid:111)(cid:126)(cid:112)(cid:111)(cid:95)(cid:110)(cid:101)(cid:110)(cid:116)(cid:32)relationship table for the area of the 58 Plan of the 1961 excavation on Site 4 (precise
prznczpza location unknown)
16 Plan of the area of the praetorium showing all 59 Plan of the West Compound area showing all
phases phases
17 Sections 4, 5, 10, 56, 62, 68, 70 60 Component location plan for the West Com-
18 (cid:83)(cid:101)(cid:99)(cid:116)(cid:105)(cid:111)(cid:110)(cid:115)(cid:55)(cid:49)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:53)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:54)(cid:44)(cid:55)(cid:126)(cid:57)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:57)(cid:56)(cid:32) pound area
19 Sections102, 106,110,111,113,114 61 Plan of excavations in the street between the
20 Sections115, (cid:49)(cid:49)(cid:126)(cid:32)121,122, (cid:49)(cid:50)(cid:126)(cid:49)(cid:50)(cid:56)(cid:32) compounds
21 Plan of the area of the praetorium showing 62 Plan of the 1956 excavation of Site 20
phases la/b 63 Plan showing the 1971 excavation north of Site
22 Phase II plan of the area of the praetorium 20
23 Phase Ill plan of the area of the praetorium 64 Plan of the area of Temple 3/Site 44 showing all
24 Phase IV a plan of the area of the praetorium phases
25 Phase IVb plan of the area of the praetorium 65 Plan of the area of Temple 3/Site 44 showing the
26 Reconstructed plan showing the changes to the post-fort phase
phase IV store building in the area of the 66 Plan of the area of Temple 3/Site 44 showing the
praetorium Severan phase
27 West section of trench E5 showing the south 67 Component location plan for the area of Temple
wall of the praetorium surviving higher than the 3/Site 44
north wall of the store building to its south 68 Component relationship table for the area of
28 Component location plan for the area of the Temple 3/Site 44
praetorium showing phases I-HI 69 Reconstructed plan of the phase la primary fort
29 Component location plan for the area of the 70 Reconstructed plan of the phase Ib primary fort
praetorium showing phases IV a-b 71 Reconstructed plan of the phase II secondary
30 Component relationship table for the area of the fort
praetorium 72 Reconstructed plan of the phase Ill secondary
31 Sketch plan of the 1947 excavations in the car fort
park to the west of Site 12 73 Reconstructed plan of the phase IVa secondary
32 Plan of the barracks in the retentura showing all fort
phases 74 Reconstructed plan of the phase IVb secondary
33 Phase I plan of the barracks in the retentura fort
34 Phase II plan of the barracks in the retentura 75 Small finds, objects of silver
35 Phase Ill plan of the barracks in the retentura 76 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
36 Phase IV a plan of the barracks in the retentura 77 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
37 Phase IVb plan of the barracks in the retentura 78 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
38 Component location plan for the barracks in the 79 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
retentura showing phases I-II 80 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
39 Component location plan for the barracks in the 81 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
retentura showing phases III-IVa 82 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
40 Component location plan for the barracks in the 83 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
retentura showing phase IVb and the post-fort 84 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
phase 85 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
86 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
87 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
88 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
89 Small finds, objects of copper alloy
90 Small finds, objects of iron
91 Small finds, objects of iron
92 Small finds, objects of iron
93 Small finds, objects of lead and pewter
94 Small finds, objects of glass
95 Small finds, objects of bone and antler
96 Small finds, objects of bone and antler
97 Small finds, objects of bone and antler
98 Small finds, objects of jet and shale
99 Small finds, objects of pipeclay
100 Small finds, objects of worked flint and wood
101 Intaglio
102 Totals of selected forms of samian from the
principia, area of the praetorium, and Site 9
103 Samian
104 Samian
105 Samian
106 Samian
107 Samian
108 Samian
109 Samian
110 Samian
111 Samian
112 Samian
113 Samian
114 Samian
115 Samian
116 Totals of vessels in BB1 and BB2 from seasons
1953-73 and 1980
117 Coarse ware
118 Coarseware
119 Coarse ware
120 Coarseware
121 Coarse ware
122 Coarse ware
123 Coarse ware
124 Coarse ware
125 Coarse ware
126 Coarse ware
127 Coarseware
128 Coarse ware
129 Coarse ware
130 Coarse ware
131 Glass vessels, Nos 1-27
132 Glass vessels, Nos 28-46