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)

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.

2. Internal Buildings

Principia: Timber headquarters with courtyard, forehall, and side ranges.

Granaries: Two stone granaries were present in the revised fort. A building stone names the Twentieth Legion; construction evidence does not establish the permanent garrison.

Barracks: Small blocks with approximately eight rooms have been interpreted as cavalry accommodation. A connection with the Fourth Cohort of Gauls at Castlehill has been suggested, but the Bearsden garrison is not securely identified.

Bath-house: Two phases, with later sudatorium; multiple floor relays; sophisticated drainage and latrine.

Annexe: Contained bath-house, latrine, service areas.

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: The finds and stratigraphy place withdrawal within the Antonine period; a precise year should not be treated as established.

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.

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.

6. Extramural Activity

Civilian presence: West of fort, cobbled foundations + domestic pottery = vicus traces.

Rare: Few Antonine Wall forts show such civilian activity.

7. Significance

Military: Provides evidence used to discuss a possible 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 the brevity and deliberate nature of Antonine occupation.


📌 Key Reference: D.J. Breeze (ed.), Bearsden: A Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Monograph).

References

• Bearsden (Trove NRHE)
• Bearsden Bath House
• Bearsden: the rediscovery and excavation of a Roman fort – The Archaeopress Blog
• Bearsden: A Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall | Digital Books