Roman coins have been found on a number of occasions in St. Stephen's churchyard, which lies west of the fort and within the area of the vicus. Coins of Gallienus and Marcus Aurelius were noted in 1899 as being found while digging a grave, at a depth of 4 feet. In 1903 the Society of Antiquaries were shown a Roman first brass of Lucius Verus, and in 1904 R. Blair exhibited "a first brass Roman coin of the empress Faustina the younger...".

Bronze figurine of Jupiter found in 1893 during excavation for the foundations of the Baring Street Schools (with an inscription and coins), and exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries in 1907. The figure is nude except for a cloak across the shoulders. What was held in the right hand is uncertain; the left hand, raised and pierced by a circular hole, had originally held a spear.

Outside the south-west gate of the fort the original approach road was cut by an extension of the ditch, and then later reconstructed across the ditch fill. "Several burials cut across the line of the approach road mark its eventual disuse". Dated C5th.

"Evidence is accumulating for the continuation of occupation well into the fifth century and perhaps beyond". The granary north-west of the headquarters building was floored in the mid-C4, but was subsequently demolished, and its walls robbed. Later again there was quarrying of the metalling round it, and eventually a new flagged floor. There were alterations to the ditch and road in front of the south-west gate, and finally burials (SMR 916) were cut into the surface of the approach road. According to tradition, the site of Arbeia Roman Fort is supposed to be the birthplace of Oswin, King of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Deira. Oswin was crowned in 642 and so if this tradition is true, he would have been born in a royal palace on the site of the fort in the early C7. King Oswin was the patron of Saint Aidan and is mentioned by Bede, who describes him as "a humble king", tall, handsome and kind. He was killed by the king of neighbouring Bernicia. No evidence of any seventh century settlement has been found at Arbeia, but several Anglo-Saxon objects have been found, suggesting that there was occupation somewhere in the area. Finds include a gilt cruciform fitting possibly from a horse harness or the cover of a book, a stylus for writing on wax tablets, a gaming piece and dress pins of copper alloy and bone. Dated C5th.

The Roman fort of Arbeia is situated on the Lawe, on the south bank and close to the mouth of the River Tyne. Arbeia is named on the Notitia Dignitatum. were stationed here. The Fifth Cohort of Gauls were here in 213 and 222. The Fort has been partially excavated several times since 1875 (when remains were found during house building). The headquarters building and some granaries are preserved and on display. The north-east corner of the fort and the east gate are still under houses. Excavations in 1949-50 were followed by the building of a museum in 1953. In 1966-7 the houses of 1875 were demolished and followed by excavation. Excavations have been ongoing since 1975. A replica of the west gate was built in 1988. The large courtyard house and adjacent barrack block replicas were built in 2000-1. Phase one - The primary fort has been dated to the 160s and measured 148 x 113m and covered 1.67 hectares. It was surrounded by two ditches, three on the west side. Phase 2 - Around 208 the fort was extended to measure 188 x 113m (2.1 hectares). An area of cobbling beneath the fort extension has been interpreted as a parade-ground. The earliest known fort was probably designed for a cohort of 480 infantry and 120 cavalry. It had a headquarters building (with an inscription of the Sixth Legion), double granary and possible accommodation block. In the south part of the fort are four timber barrack blocks, later widened and rebuilt in stone. The front room of the nine contubernia contained an under-floor urine pit for horses - horses and men shared the same living space. Phase 3 - a supply base was created by extending the fort southwards and the fort was divided into two parts. In the south were the barracks and granaries for a regiment, probably the Fifth Cohort of Gauls. The four barrack blocks are unusually short and were built of stone and timber. In the north part of the fort 13 granaries were built. The existing double granary remained and the headquarters building was rebuilt smaller to face south. Phase 4 - the dividing wall was demolished and six more granaries were built to make 22 in all. New barracks were built in the south-east corner. The supply base presumably supplied Hadrian's Wall and other forts. It remained in use until after the end of the Severan campaigns. Phase 5 - the headquarters building was demolished to make way for another granary. A smaller replacement was built to the south. The barracks were rebuilt. Phase 6 - the barracks were replaced by five barracks built at right angles to their predecessors. Each contained an officer's suite and five contubernia. The walls were clay bonded. In the rear rooms there were cooking hearths. Ovens were located in the front rooms. In 222 a water supply was installed for the Fifth Cohort of Gauls. Phase 7 - the fort was destroyed by fire around 300. The burnt debris contained a chain mail shirt, three gold objects and pottery. Phase 8 - eight granaries in the southern part of the fort were converted to barrack blocks by removing the floors and inserting partitions. At least two new barrack blocks were built. A large courtyard house was built in the south east corner of the fort. The fort buildings were arranged around two wide streets. A new headquarters building was built. This is the only example in Britain of a common type of late Roman fort plan. The changes may have coincided with the arrival of the numerus barcariorum Tigrisiensium (a unit of Tigris bargemen). Eight granaries survived in the northern sector of the fort. Phase 9 - modifications continued throughout the fourth and into the early fifth century. The original double granary was demolished to make way for two tile kilns. Occupation continued into the C5. (HER 915). Dated C2-C4.

A bronze patera was exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle by Mr. W.G. Harris in January 1935. It had been found "a hundred years ago...on the north sands at South Shields", among what was taken to be the "wreckage of a sailing ship". Large patera, 205 mm diam., 105 mm high, and with a handle 168 mm long. Cast in one piece with the handle and base in bronze containing a large proportion of lead and 10% tin. Both the handle and the shoulder of the bowl are decorated with stylized leaves etc., executed in punched circles and incised lines. The base has four pronounced flanged foot rings and a central stud. It has been suggested that, rather than being part of a ship, the timbers may have been the remains of a Roman weir or jetty. Great North Museum: Hancock 1935.7. Dated C3.

In March 1889 the Free Library Committee of South Shields exhibited at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, "the base, 4.25 in. dia., (110 mm), with portions of the sides, of a bronze skillet/saucepan of the Roman period, found on the Herd Sands, South Shields. The bottom is ornamented by several concentric rings...". It was found in the same spot as an inscribed patera (HER 911).

In September 1887 this object was found at the low water mark on Herd Sands. The remains of a skillet (SMR 912) was discovered at the same spot. Sacrificial patera, deep, circular and of bronze: depth 155 mm, diam. 6". It lacks its handle. There is an inscription on the inner face round the base - APOLLINI. ANEXTIOMARO M.A. SAB. This is probably a dedication to Apollo Anextiomarus by M(arcus) A(ntonius) Sab(inus). Anextiomarus is a Latinized Celtic epithet which has been interpreted as meaning 'the great protector'. Great North Museum: Hancock 1923.10. Dated C2-C3.

The existence of a Roman port on the south bank of the Tyne at South Shields is presumed from the fort's role as a supply-base for, originally, the armies of Septimius Severus and, eventually, Hadrian's Wall. Richmond suggested that such a port was probably at Mill Dam, formerly a tidal inlet and focus of the medieval settlement. Speak prefers the one-time site of Hospital Quay (above grid ref) at the end of Fowler St/Mile End Road, which ran straight to the Lawe from the direction of Sunderland. He points out that such a port would be extensive, and contain quays, roads, boat-houses, granaries, warehouses etc. Sadly all this is yet supposition, and the 1990 excavations north of Wapping Street produced only one sherd, and no Roman structures. Speak suggests the Roman river frontage could be actually under Wapping Street.

There were several recorded finds of Roman coins from Trow Rocks between 1903 and 1910, Bidwell listing 30. At least some of these finds are thought to have been dredged from the River Tyne near the Swing Bridge in Newcastle, since "a quantity of the material dredged from the river had been tipped on the beach at Trow Rocks".