ENGLAND 3. HADRIAN'S WALL

Abstract

(1) Birdoswald (Banna) (NY 615 633): two areas were excavated in the eastern extramural settlement outside the Hadrian’s Wall fort, the extent of which is known from previous geophysical survey.24 Area A measured 25 × 13 m and was positioned to locate and contextualise a building previously exposed briefly by Ian Richmond and interpreted as a signal tower.25 This building survived to 2 m in height, and steps led down to a semi-basement. To the north were further structures, part of a large complex identified in geophysical survey. A broad primary wall to a building east of the excavated area was abutted by an apsidal wall, the area between the walls being surfaced by regular flagstones. A stone bench-end was found laid on these flags. The wall of the apsidal structure was cut by a free-standing square stone building, floored with large slabs (FIG. 4). This building was associated with a bifurcated water-main; one branch broke through the walls of the apsidal structure, the other ran to the west of and parallel to the square building. The evidence comprised iron pipe-connecting rings (FIG. 5) set upright in narrow trenches. A thick and widespread deposit of soot and charcoal, together with box-flue tile fragments and spacer bobbins, suggest the very close proximity of the fort bath-house.