Throp Roman Fortlet

 

Throp Roman Fortlet has no known Roman name.

Existed for 20 years and was abandoned when the Wall was completed.

Location

THROP ROMAN FORTLET

THROP ROMAN FORTLET LOOKING-SW-FROM-MC48-

Throp Roman Fortlet was probably in the late 1st century about 7 miles from Nether Denton Roman Fort and 7 miles west of Carvoran Roman Fort.. It is 600ft south west Milecastle 48 in a far better position.

Just before you enter Gilsland from the east and go under the railway turn left and follow the sign for Poltross Burn Milecastle, park by the railway (CA8 7DS) and follow the path to the Hadrian’s Wall Milecastle 48 Poltross Burn, which is one of the most impressive on the Wall. You are on the Hadrian’s Wall path, do not follow the path across the railway line continue to follow the path by the railway, after 100yds follow the wall to the top.

Detail

ATTACHMENT DETAILS THROP-ROMAN-FORTLET-DIAGRAM

ATTACHMENT DETAILS
THROP-ROMAN-FORTLET-DIAGRAM

Throp, Roman Fortlet lies 300ft north of the Stanegate Roman road and 650ft south east of Milecastle 48 (Poltross Burn). It is visible as an upstanding earthwork. It was built late 1st/ early 2nd century. The fortlet occupies the high ground, overlooking the Poltross Burn and a shallow valley with the Irthing beyond to the North.

The primary function of the fortlet was to guard the river crossing of the Stanegate. The fortlet is square and measures about 170ft across, enclosing an area of about 0.6 acres.

The ramparts were constructed from turf laid on a stone foundation, 18ft wide, and survive as an outward facing slope up to2.ft high. The ramparts are surrounded by an exterior ditch, about 20ft in width, now largely silted up. There were two gateways, one on the north east side and one in the south east side.

Part excavation of the site in 1910 showed that the gates were made of timber and that at least part of the interior was paved. A series of hearths were also found behind the North West rampart and an oven was found at the rear of the south east rampart. The remains have been reduced and spread by ploughing giving them a smoother appearance.
With the commissioning of Hadrian’s Wall the fortlet was abandoned before 130AD