More information : (NY 37250340) GALAVA ROMAN FORT (R) (1)
A major campaign of excavations directed by R.G. Collingwood over four seasons (1913, 1914, 1915 and 1920) revealed that there had been two succesive forts on the site and that the visible remains largely belonged to the second fort. A series of full excavation reports and plans has been produced. (2-5)
The existence of two forts, the earlier of the Flavian period probably built in AD 79, and the latter, partly overlying it, of the 2nd. to the 4th. century, was proved by excavation by R G Collingwood between 1913 and 1920. (6)
Identified from the Ravenna Cosmography as Galava. (7)
There are no visible remains of the early fort. The later work survives as a much reduced rampart with traces of two outer ditches. Excavated remains of the head-quarters buildings; south and east gates; and NW and NE turrets have been enclosed by the National Trust and are permanently open. Re-surveyed at 1:2500 scale. (8)
See Illustration card for attached pamphlet. (9)
Name 'GALAVA' accepted for 4th Edition Roman Britain Map 1978. (10)
GALAVA - the Roman fort at Ambleside, Cumbria. (11)
NY 372034. Ambleside. Roman fort listed under Roman remains. Scheduled No 7. (12)
National Trust. Remains of 2 Roman forts of different dates, with granaries etc. On splendid site in open field on lake edge, now a public open space. (13)
Additional references. (14-15)
The visible remains date from the AD 90s with the construction of a timber and turf fort built over an earlier smaller fort. This was replaced by a larger stone built fort during the reign of Hadrian (AD 117-38). Under Antonius Pius (AD 138-61), the fort was either abandoned or left with greatly reduced man-power. The site was reoccupied during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (AD 161-80) and remained garrisoned until the late 4th century. (16)
NY 3725 0340. At the edge of an area of marsh immediately north of Lake Windermere the Roman fort survives as a turf covered platform, 1.25m-1.5m high, with traces of a ditch on the north and east sides. The fort covers an area of 1.7ha, and apart from the exposed remains of the principal buildings and two gates, there is no trace of internal structures visible on the surface. The earlier fort as reconstructed in plan by Collingwood (4) has not left any visible remains; a scarp to the north of the fort may point to an earlier fortification. Furrows crossing the site from east to west has created the false impression of a double ditch on the south side. A 1:1000 scale plan and full illustrated report (17a) has been prepared by RCHME and is deposited in the NMRC. (17)
Brief accessible overview of Ambleside Roman Fort for visitors. (18) |