| Summary : Earthwork remains of a Roman signal station. It survives as a turf-covered mound, 13 m across and up to 1.9 m high, in the top of which can be seen traces of the structure of the tower. Some 50 m to the W, in the E side of a stream valley, are two quarries, 1.8 m deep, probably the source of stone for the tower. Estimates of the volume of tumbled stone around the tower suggest that it may have stood to a height of 6.1 m. |
More information : (NY 5796 7178) Roman Signal Station (Remains of) (1)
A nearly square building with walls of regularly coursed stone 32-34" thick, the sides measuring externally 17-20'. A ditch or drainage channel round the building was interruputed in the east side by a little causeway. (2)
Signals from here "could be seen at Birdoswald or on the wall, but not by the enemy to the north, so that a surprise move could be prepared in terrain well adapted to ambush". (3)
Only the foundations of the station are now visible set on top of a 12m square mound 1.3m high. There are traces of a ditch to the mound on the north and east sides, and a small causeway in the latter can be envisaged. Surveyed at 1:2500. The station lies on the line of the road from Birdoswald to Bewcastle (RR 865). (4)
No change since report of 12 9 72.
Surveyed at 1:10,000. (5)
Additional references. (6-7)
The signal station survives as a turf-covered mound, 13 m across and up to 1.9 m high, in the top of which can be seen traces of the structure of the tower. Some 50 m to the W, in the E side of a stream valley, are two quarries, 1.8 m deep, probably the source of stone for the tower. (8)
As described by (8). Estimates of the volume of tumbled stone around the tower suggest that it may have stood to a height of 6.1 m.
Surveyed at 1:200 and 1:500. (9)
NY 574727 - NY 612669 Gillalees Beacon signal station and the Maiden Way from High House to junction with B6318; scheduled. (10) |