Cappuck Roman Fortlet

CAPPUCK ROMAN FORTLET LOCATION & DERE ST

Location

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Cappuck Roman Fortlet is located 3 miles east of Jedburgh, It is on Dere Street, A Roman fort running from York in the south to the Firth of Forth in Scotland, It is 11 miles SE of the large roman Fort at Newsteads and 20 miles NW of Rochester Roman Fort. It was a small fort guarding the river crossing over Oxnam, on its east bank.

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Agricolan Fortlet

Cappuck Roman Fortlet was built for the first invasion of what became Scotland in 79AD or soon after. The road from Corbridge army base to the Firth of Forth was very important as it was the route north for about half of the invading army. It was 290ft north to south and 218ft east to west. It was surrounded by a clay rampart, on a cobbled base. The internal were built of wood.

Cappuck Roman fort was rebuilt about 15 years later. The rampart was widened probably increasing the height of the defences and deep ditches dug. The fort was abandoned; the date cannot be defined, probably before 110AD with the slow withdrawal from Scotland.

Antonine Fortlet

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Antonine Pius became emperor after Hadrian’s death in 138 AD and soon after decided to more the frontier 100 miles north to the Clyde/ Forth isthmus. The existing road repaired and the forts rebuilt. Cappuck Roman Fort was again rebuilt probably about 140AD. The North, South and East ramparts were rebuilt but their location remained, but the western rampart was moved back so the new dimensions were 303ft by 260ft making 25% larger. Again the ditches were built. Still, the fort remained too small for a whole cohort of 500 infantry. A commander’s house and a granary were identified in the interior with 2 small bathhouses and a barrack, but HQ building.

It is likely the fort was built by 20^th Legion.

The late Antonine Fort was smaller, measuring 252ft by 260ft, with the northern rampart being moved south 52 ft. into the fort, and this space was used to dig a new ditch. Two new ditches replaced one outside the south rampart and east of the fort 2 additional ditches were added in addition to the 2 existing ditches. In addition, the ramparts were increased in height in addition the interior was changed.

There is limited dating evidence, but it is thought that the changes may have been made after the decision was made to withdraw from the Antonine Wall about 160AD.If that was the case there would have been the need for stronger defences. It would be important to keep the road open for the large fort at Newsteads, This fort expected to be attacked.

The date of its abandonment is unclear, but no later than the mid-190s AD probably at the same time as Newsteads

Excavation

The fort has been extensively excavated, mostly over 100 years ago, stating in 1886, 1912 and 1949

The North West corner has been eroded by the river. There is a courtyard building in the fort similar to a commander’s house. The commander of such a small fort is unlikely to have been of the rank to justify such a large house, so the possibility of Mansio/ guest house has to be considered