Arbeia Roman fort
Arbeia Roman fort
HER Number
914
District
S Tyneside
Site Name
Arbeia Roman fort
Place
South Shields
Map Sheet
NZ36NE
Class
Defence
Site Type: Broad
Fort
Site Type: Specific
Fort
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Form of Evidence
Building
Description
The Roman fort of Arbeia is situated on the Lawe, on the south bank and close to the mouth of the River Tyne. It has been partially excavated several times since 1875, and final total excavation is now in progress. The current interpretation is as follows: 1) Mid-Antonine fort, c. 1.67 ha. 2a) Supply base. To accommodate this the early fort was extended south-east in the early 3rd century, the headquarters was rebuilt, 13 new granaries added north-west of a new wall dividing the fort in 2, and possibly 2 granaries south-east of it. 2b) Six more granaries were built Ssouth-east of the dividing wall which was demolished, and the headquarters rebuilt. There were now 23 granaries. 3) Late fort, built after a fire in the late 3rd or early 4th century. The headquarters was remodelled, 10 barracks erected partly re-using the walls of the south-east granaries and a courtyard house (perhaps for the Commanding Officer), which was altered in the mid 4th century. Occupation continued into the 5th century (HER no. 915). The site is consolidated and laid out for display as it is excavated. A replica of the west gate has been constructed. SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Easting
436500
Northing
567900
Grid Reference
NZ436500567900
Sources
<< HER 914 >> Excavation report, Rev. R.E. Hooppell, 1880, On the discovery and Exploration of Roman Remains at South Shields, Transactions Natural History Society Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-on-Tyne, Vol. VII, 126-67
C. Bruce, 1880, On the recent discoveries in the Roman Camp on the Lawe... Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, X, 233
I.A. Richmond, 1934, The Roman Fort at South Shields, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XI,
I.A. Richmond, (date unknown) The Roman Fort at South Shields, a Guide
Excavation report, J.N. Dore, 1976, Excavations at South Shields, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, IV, 185
J.N. Dore & J.P. Gillam, 1979, The Roman Fort at South Shields Excavations 1875-1975, Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Monograph
R. Miket, (date unknown), The Roman Fort at South Shields: Excavation of the Defences 1977-1981
P.T. Bidwell in C.M. Daniels, ed. 1989, The Eleventh Pilgrimage of Hadrian's Wall, South Shields - Arbeia, pp. 83-89
J.C. Bruce & C.M. Daniels, 1978, Handbook to the Roman Wall, 13th edition, pp.
L. Allason-Jones & R. Miket, 1984, The Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, Monograph
N. Hodgson, 2001, The Origins and Development of the Roman Military Supply-Base at South Shields, The Arbeia Journal, Vol 6-7, 1997-8, (2001), p25-36; Guy de la Bedoyere, 2005, Hadrian's Wall History and Guide, pp 140-144; David J. Breeze, 2006, J. Collingwood Bruce's Handbook to the Roman Wall, 14th edition, pp 115-129; Tyne and Wear Musuems, 2012, Proposed new access ramp, Arbeia Roman Fort - archaeological evaluation
C. Bruce, 1880, On the recent discoveries in the Roman Camp on the Lawe... Archaeologia Aeliana, 2, X, 233
I.A. Richmond, 1934, The Roman Fort at South Shields, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XI,
I.A. Richmond, (date unknown) The Roman Fort at South Shields, a Guide
Excavation report, J.N. Dore, 1976, Excavations at South Shields, Archaeologia Aeliana, 5, IV, 185
J.N. Dore & J.P. Gillam, 1979, The Roman Fort at South Shields Excavations 1875-1975, Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, Monograph
R. Miket, (date unknown), The Roman Fort at South Shields: Excavation of the Defences 1977-1981
P.T. Bidwell in C.M. Daniels, ed. 1989, The Eleventh Pilgrimage of Hadrian's Wall, South Shields - Arbeia, pp. 83-89
J.C. Bruce & C.M. Daniels, 1978, Handbook to the Roman Wall, 13th edition, pp.
L. Allason-Jones & R. Miket, 1984, The Catalogue of Small Finds from South Shields Roman Fort, Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, Monograph
N. Hodgson, 2001, The Origins and Development of the Roman Military Supply-Base at South Shields, The Arbeia Journal, Vol 6-7, 1997-8, (2001), p25-36; Guy de la Bedoyere, 2005, Hadrian's Wall History and Guide, pp 140-144; David J. Breeze, 2006, J. Collingwood Bruce's Handbook to the Roman Wall, 14th edition, pp 115-129; Tyne and Wear Musuems, 2012, Proposed new access ramp, Arbeia Roman Fort - archaeological evaluation