Bearsden Roman Fort
- 142 AD built
- 158 AD abandoned ( assumed)
Bearsden Roman Fort – Technical Synopsis
Location: Bearsden, NW Glasgow, Antonine Wall
Date: Built c. AD 142 under Antoninus Pius; abandoned c. AD 158–160
Occupation: c. 15–20 years (Antonine occupation phase only)
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1. Layout and Defences
Phasing:
Bearsden I – timber principia, single stone granary, early bath-house/latrine.
Bearsden II – reorganised fort, added barracks, new bath-house at right angles in annexe.
Surveying: Entire site laid out on a 5 × 4 actus grid despite irregular outline.
Defences: Turf rampart on stone base; 3 western ditches, 2 eastern ditches, broad southern ditch.
Abandonment: Rampart breastwork burnt and collapsed outward, a deliberate demolition by garrison.
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2. Internal Buildings
Principia: Timber headquarters with courtyard, forehall, and side ranges.
Granary: Forward-sited (rare); inscribed stone credits Legio XX Valeria Victrix with construction.
Barracks: Small blocks, ~8 contubernia each; cavalry-sized → linked to Cohors IV Gallorum equitata.
Bath-house: Two phases, with later sudatorium; multiple floor relays; sophisticated drainage and latrine.
Annexe: Contained bath-house, latrine, service areas.
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3. Dating and Chronology
Coins: Issues up to AD 154–155 in mint condition.
Ceramics: Samian and mortaria confirm Antonine supply horizon.
Occupation span: c. AD 142–158/160 (Antonine Wall phase).
Abandonment: Coin horizon + stratigraphy = withdrawal c. AD 158 (when focus shifted back to Hadrian’s Wall).
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4. Artefacts and Assemblages
Mortaria: Strong presence of potter Sarrius; kiln waste = local/sub-local production.
Pottery: Imported samian, amphorae (wine/oil), alongside local oxidised wares.
Small finds: Military fittings, shoes, intaglios (Minerva), Hadrianic coin in bath debris.
Metalwork: Concentrated dump in western ditch, likely at evacuation.
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5. Environmental and Bioarchaeology
Sewage deposits (exceptional survival):
Cereal bran (spelt wheat, barley) baked to 180–200°C = bread.
Pulses, figs, coriander seeds, imported foods.
Grain weevils = stored cereals.
Parasite ova (Ascaris, Trichuris) = intestinal infections.
Woodland/turf: Rampart turf and ditch fills contain alder, hazel, willow, oak.
Bearsden provides Britain’s most detailed dataset on diet, health, and hygiene in a Roman fort.
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6. Extramural Activity
Civilian presence: West of fort, cobbled foundations + domestic pottery = vicus traces.
Rare: Few Antonine Wall forts show such civilian activity.
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7. Significance
Military: Demonstrates cavalry detachment in Antonine Scotland.
Planning: Irregular plan but metric grid proves measured survey.
Economy: Evidence of both imports and local craft (mortaria).
Bioarchaeology: Sewage deposits unique in the Empire for insight into soldiers’ diet and health.
Frontier policy: Illustrates brevity and deliberate nature of Antonine occupation.
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📌 Key Reference: D.J. Breeze (ed.), Bearsden: A Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph).
