Benwell Fort (Condercum), possible parade ground
Benwell Fort (Condercum), possible parade ground
HER Number
5328
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Benwell Fort (Condercum), possible parade ground
Place
Benwell
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
Class
Defence
Site Type: Broad
Military Training Site
Site Type: Specific
Parade Ground
General Period
ROMAN
Specific Period
Roman 43 to 410
Form of Evidence
Implied Evidence
Description
The presence of a parade ground near the fort is suggested by the altar to Jupiter Optimus Maximum, found with another altar (HER 5306 and 5310) and the dedication to the Matres Campestres (HER 5308). Phillips cautions that the epithet Campester need not refer to the parade ground. The exact findspots of these items is unknown, and they may have come from the temple area to the east. However MacLauchlan's 1858 survey of Benwell shows flat ground to the west of the fort, and excavation thus far (in 1977 and 2001) has failed to locate any vicus buildings in this area. This could therefore possibly be the site of a parade ground.
Easting
421600
Northing
564700
Grid Reference
NZ421600564700
Sources
<< HER 5328 >> Tyne and Wear Museums, 1991, The Roman Fort at Benwell and its Environs, Survey of extent and preservation of archaeological deposits
Tyne and Wear Museums, 2003, Pendower Hall, Benwell, Archaeological Assessment
E.J. Phillips, 1977, Corpus Signororum Imperii Romani, Great Britain, Vol 1, no. 230, p81, in Corbridge's Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne
R.G. Collingwood & R.P. Wright, 1965, Roman Inscriptions of Britain I, Inscriptions in Stone, p440, 1330, p 443, 1338, p441, 1334
J. Brand, 1789, A History of Newcastle upon Tyne, p 606
C. Bruce, 1853, Handbook to the Roman Wall, second edition, p112
P.S. Austen, 1978, Pendower School, Benwell, CEU 139
Tyne and Wear Museums, 2001, Hadrian School, Benwell, Evaluation report
Tyne and Wear Museums, 2003, Pendower Hall, Benwell, Archaeological Assessment
E.J. Phillips, 1977, Corpus Signororum Imperii Romani, Great Britain, Vol 1, no. 230, p81, in Corbridge's Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne
R.G. Collingwood & R.P. Wright, 1965, Roman Inscriptions of Britain I, Inscriptions in Stone, p440, 1330, p 443, 1338, p441, 1334
J. Brand, 1789, A History of Newcastle upon Tyne, p 606
C. Bruce, 1853, Handbook to the Roman Wall, second edition, p112
P.S. Austen, 1978, Pendower School, Benwell, CEU 139
Tyne and Wear Museums, 2001, Hadrian School, Benwell, Evaluation report