| Print | More

MILECASTLE 48

ALTERNATIVE NAME:

POLTROSS BURN, POLTROSS BURN MILECASTLE

ABOUT THIS MONUMENT

+ / -

EH Visitor Information
Related Monuments
Related Text
Investigation History

More Pictures
Modern Map
Old Map
Aerial Photograph

Monument Types
Sources
Thesaurus
Description

DESCRIPTION

+ / -

Milecastle 48 (Poltross Burn) on Hadrian's Wall. It is situated on the crest of the west bank of a steep gorge through, which the Poltross Burn, tributary of the River Irthing, flows. The milecastle survives as consolidated masonry remains and measures internally 21.5 metres north-south by 18.7 metres across. The walls were built to the broad gauge, initially envisaged for the whole of Hadrian's Wall before a change of plan and narrowing of the width, and the wing walls extend 4 metres either side of the milecastle. The milecastle was excavated in 1886 by R. S. Ferguson and between 1909 and 1911 by F. G. Simpson and J. P. Gibson. These excavations uncovered a range of features including the gateways of the milecastle. The lower courses of a flight of steps were found in the north east corner, suggesting that the rampart walk stood 3.7 metres above ground with the battlements adding further height. An oven was located in the north west angle. Flanking the central space of the milecastle stood long barrack blocks, which are believed to have had more than one phase of construction. Further excavations were undertaken at the milecastle by D. Charlesworth between 1965 and 1966.

DETAIL

+ / -

MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES

+ / -

(NY 6340 6619) Milecastle 48 (R) (Site of) (1)

Measuring internally 70ft from N to S, and 60ft 9" from E to W, with all its walls built to the broad gauge. The narrow wall on broad foundations joins wing walls about 12ft distant from the milecastle on either side. (2)

Excavated 1909. Full Report, plans, photos. (3)

Re-opened in 1965-6 by the MPBW. The remains of the S gate did not correspond exactly with the state of the gate shown in the 1911 plan. The difference is in the secondary work, the reduction of the width of the gateway, where the whole passageway had been reduced in width and not only partly so as shown on the original plan. (4)

Remains exposed and consolidated by D of E. Surveyed at 1:2500. (5)

NY 6340 6619. The milecastle is consolidated and under guardianship. (6)

Milecastle 48 (Poltross Burn) is situated on the crest of the west bank of a steep gorge through, which the Poltross Burn, tributary of the River Irthing, flows. The milecastle measures internally 21.5 metres north-south by 18.7 metres across. The walls were built to the broad gauge, initially envisaged for the whole of Hadrian's Wall before a change of plan and narrowing of the width, and the wing walls extend 4 metres either side of the milecastle. The milecastle was excavated in 1886 by R. S. Ferguson and between 1909 and 1911 by F. G. Simpson and J. P. Gibson. These excavations uncovered a range of features including the gateways of the milecastle. The lower courses of a flight of steps were found in the north east corner, suggesting that the rampart walk stood 3.7 metres above ground with the battlements adding further height. An oven was located in the north west angle. Flanking the central space of the milecastle stood long barrack blocks, which are believed to have had more than one phase of construction. Further excavations were undertaken at the milecastle by D. Charlesworth between 1965 and 1966. (7)

The structural remains of the milecastle described by the previous authorities were seen at 6340 6619 and mapped mapped from historical aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hadrian's Wall NMP project. (8)

Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (9)

According to public feedback, the local name for the site is The King's Stables. (10)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1957

( 2) General reference

Bruce and Richmond 1966 Handbook to Roman Wall 12th edn Page(s)20, 157-9

( 3) Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society

(F G Simpson) 11, 1911 Page(s)390-461

( 4) Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society

(D Charlesworth) 67, 1967 Page(s)234-5

( 5) Field Investigators Comments

F1 DS 07-OCT-71

( 6) Field Investigators Comments

Keith Blood/09-JAN-1990/RCHME: Hadrian's Wall Project

( 7) Scheduled Monument Notification

14-JUL-1997

(9) English Heritage 2010 An Archaeological Map of Hadrian's Wall, 1:25,000 scale

(8) Vertical aerial photograph reference number

NMR OS/72259 314 17-JUL-1972

(10) Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments

RELATED MONUMENTS

+ / -

Monument Name/No

Resources

Description

THROP ROMAN FORTLET
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

The site of Throp Roman fortlet. The earthwork remains are square and measure 55m across, enclosing an area of about 0.25 hectares. It was probably co...

TURRET 48A
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

The site of Roman Turret 48a on Hadrian's Wall. It is situated on a river terrace on the south bank of the River Irthing and survives as upstanding st...

TURRET 48B
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

The site of Roman Turret 48b on Hadrian's Wall. It is situated on the south bank of the River Irthing immediately east of Willowford Farm. It survives...

CURTAIN WALL

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Curtain Wall parent record for Hadrian's Wall. See associated monument records for descriptions of individual sections of the Wall. For more on Hadria...

MONUMENT NO. 1007808
THIRLWALL

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

A Roman centurial stone was found in 1903 near Gilsland Station.

HADRIANS WALL
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Consolidated and under guardianship.

HADRIANS WALL
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

The Wall line runs beneath the railway embankment, no visible remains, though excavation in 1928 uncovered the Wall.

MONUMENT NO. 1010606
UPPER DENTON

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Hadrian's Wall ditch; no visible remains in Poltross Burn gorge; the railway cuts across the line.

MILITARY WAY
THIRLWALL

Monument Pictures
Monument Maps
Monument Investigation
Monument Sources
EH Visitor Information

Roman road; a path was made here about 1870. There are limited options for the road line between the Wall and the Vallum in the steep gorge at Poltro...

MONUMENT TYPES

+ / -

COMMENTS

+ / -

Please help us keep our information accurate let us know if you see any errors on this page.

Further information about monuments may be obtained by contacting NMR Enquiry and Research Services , through the English Heritage website.

EH Archives
EH Prints
English Heritage
Heritage Explorer
Heritage Gateway
Images of England
National Heritage List for England
English Heritage Archive
ViewFinder