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| Archaeologists discover remains of Roman fortlet near Clydebank | Archaeologists discover remains of Roman fortlet near Clydebank |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| An artist's impression of the fortlet shows it standing beside the Antonine Wall | An artist's impression of the fortlet shows it standing beside the Antonine Wall |
| The remains of a Roman fortlet have been discovered in West Dunbartonshire. | The remains of a Roman fortlet have been discovered in West Dunbartonshire. |
| New technology has enabled the archaeology team at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to uncover the structure after attempts to find it failed in the 1970s and 1980s. | New technology has enabled the archaeology team at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to uncover the structure after attempts to find it failed in the 1970s and 1980s. |
| The fortlet once stood next to the Antonine Wall. | The fortlet once stood next to the Antonine Wall. |
| Its buried remains have now been uncovered in a field close to Carleith Primary School in Duntocher, Clydebank. | Its buried remains have now been uncovered in a field close to Carleith Primary School in Duntocher, Clydebank. |
| HES announced the breakthrough on World Heritage Day, the international celebration of cultural heritage. | HES announced the breakthrough on World Heritage Day, the international celebration of cultural heritage. |
| The Antonine Wall was the frontier that the Romans constructed across central Scotland, and is one of Scotland's six Unesco World Heritage Sites. | The Antonine Wall was the frontier that the Romans constructed across central Scotland, and is one of Scotland's six Unesco World Heritage Sites. |
| Details of the fortlet were thought lost for hundreds of years. | Details of the fortlet were thought lost for hundreds of years. |
| An archaeologist using gradiometry to uncover the fortlet | An archaeologist using gradiometry to uncover the fortlet |
| It was referenced in 1707 by antiquarian Robert Sibbald, who wrote that he had seen a fortlet in the area around Carleith Farm. Excavation teams looked for it decades ago, but the exact location remained unknown. | It was referenced in 1707 by antiquarian Robert Sibbald, who wrote that he had seen a fortlet in the area around Carleith Farm. Excavation teams looked for it decades ago, but the exact location remained unknown. |
| After employing gradiometry, a geophysical surveying technique which looks under the soil without the need for excavation, the discovery was made. | After employing gradiometry, a geophysical surveying technique which looks under the soil without the need for excavation, the discovery was made. |
| The technique measures small changes in the earth's magnetic field to detect archaeological features otherwise invisible from the ground surface. | The technique measures small changes in the earth's magnetic field to detect archaeological features otherwise invisible from the ground surface. |
| It allowed archaeologists to identify the stone base of the fortlet, which remains buried underground. On top of this base, turf would have been laid to build a rampart about 2m high. | |
| This fortlet would have been part of several along the Antonine Wall. | This fortlet would have been part of several along the Antonine Wall. |
| In its prime, it would have been occupied by 10 to 12 Roman soldiers who were stationed at a larger fort nearby, likely to be Duntocher. They would have manned the fort for a week at a time before being replaced by another detachment. | In its prime, it would have been occupied by 10 to 12 Roman soldiers who were stationed at a larger fort nearby, likely to be Duntocher. They would have manned the fort for a week at a time before being replaced by another detachment. |
| The fortlet would have been made up of two small wooden buildings to house the soldiers staying there and will have been used for the 20 years (AD142 - AD162) that the Antonine Wall was defended as the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire. | |
| 'Detective work' | 'Detective work' |
| Commenting on the discovery, Riona McMorrow, deputy head of world heritage at HES, said: "It is great to see how our knowledge of history is growing as new methods give us fresh insights into the past. | |
| "Archaeology is often partly detective work, and the discovery at Carleith is a nice example of how an observation made 300 years ago and new technology can come together to add to our understanding." | "Archaeology is often partly detective work, and the discovery at Carleith is a nice example of how an observation made 300 years ago and new technology can come together to add to our understanding." |
| Carleith Farm | Carleith Farm |
| This discovery has led to HES reviewing the site's designation to ensure the fortlet is recognised and protected as part of the Antonine Wall. | This discovery has led to HES reviewing the site's designation to ensure the fortlet is recognised and protected as part of the Antonine Wall. |
| The geophysical survey will also help to better understand and protect the wall. | The geophysical survey will also help to better understand and protect the wall. |
| While up to 41 fortlets may have lined the wall when it was built, only nine have previously been found. | While up to 41 fortlets may have lined the wall when it was built, only nine have previously been found. |
| HES said the discovery marks the tenth known fortlet and shows that there is still more to be discovered about the Roman monument and its functions. | HES said the discovery marks the tenth known fortlet and shows that there is still more to be discovered about the Roman monument and its functions. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Archaeology | Archaeology |