More information : SO 391733. A Roman fort, close to Buckton Park Farm, was observed and photographed by W A Baker in 1959. Excavations between then and 1961 showed two periods of construction. Buckton I was established c80-90 with timber barracks, protected by a turf rampart and ditch. In cAD 120 the gates and administrative buildings were rebuilt in stone and a stone wall was added to the rampart. The stone fort of period 2 (see plan) was probably dismantled cAD130 and the site never occupied again. 'The dates are based mainly on samian ware and with consideration for the historical context.' (1)
There are no visible remains of the fort, but the site at SO39017332 was confirmed by Mr S C Stanford. The outline of the fort is traced at 6" scale from 1:2500 plan held by Mr Stanford. (2)
A further Roman site is visible on APs. It adjoins the known Buckden Fort, and extends in a N-Ne direction at least up to the present Buckton-Leintwardine Road. (SO 37 SE 21). (3)
There is no trace of the second Roman site at the position indicated. (4)
'The fort at Buckton was most impressive, crop marks outlining the remains of the Principia and Commandants House. To the east of the fort the bath house has never appeared with such clarity." (5)
An air photograph shows the street plan of the south half of the fort together with the rampart and wall. The fort faces east. The via principalis issues from the south gate, where projecting towers flank a twin portalled gateway, and is continued by a road towards the Teme. (6)
The fort and bath house have been mapped from aerial photographs by RCHME's Marches Uplands Mapping Project. (7-8) |