Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Milecastle 17
Hob Uid: 20396
Location : Northumberland Horsley
Grid Ref : NZ0630068220
Summary : The site of Roman milecastle 17, part of the defences on Hadrian's Wall at Welton. The milecastle survives as a very reduced platform, with a scarp to the east only; the height is uncertain as the scarp merges with the natural slope in a continous sweep. Previous work by Hepple was reported by Birley et al in 1932. Hepple's investigations were restricted to the northern part of the milecastle, which lies beneath the Military Road. Up to three courses of the north wall and north gate survived up to 0.8 metres high. The gate was of Type I. The milecastle was a short-axis type, measuring 17.68 metres east-west, by 14.93 metres north-south internally. The north wall was 3.30 metres wide, and the side walls were 2.41 metres thick. The milecastle was subsequently investigated as part of the Milecastles Project in 1999. Two trenches were excavated on the platform which showed that it was deeply buried in colluvium. There was some evidence for activity outside the walls with the presence of a gully and pit, probably Roman in date. Deposits within the milecastle were mostly post-Roman in date, and included the remains of a post-medieval probable barn.
More information : (NZ 0630 6822) Milecastle 17 (GSC) (1) Milecastle 17 is seen as a bold hump 200 yds beyond the reservoirs at Whittledean. Excavations in 1931 showed that it had narrow side walls, and measured internally 53 ft E to W by 49 ft W to S with type I gates. Hepple positions it 325 ft from fence on W side. (2-3) Milecastle 17 is regularly ploughed over but its site is still marked by a ground swelling and slight stone scatter. (4) A legionary stone was seen by Hodgson and is now lost (5a, page 40). The excavations of 1931 (mentioned by Authority 2) were carried out by Birley, Brewis and Simpson (5b). The milecastle survives as a very reduced platform, with a scarp to the east only; the height is uncertain as the scarp merges with the natural slope in a continous sweep. (5) Scheduled (6) Previous work by Hepple was reported by Birley et al in 1932. Hepple¿s investigations were restricted to the northern part of the milecastle, which lies beneath the Military Road. Up to three courses of the north wall and north gate survived up to 0.8 metres high. The gate was of Type I. The milecastle was a short-axis type, measuring 17.68 metres east-west, by 14.93 metres north-south internally. The north wall was 3.30 metres wide, and the side walls were 2.41 metres thick. The milecastle was subsequently investigated as part of the Milecastles Project in 1999. Two trenches were excavated on the platform which showed that it was deeply buried in colluvium. There was some evidence for activity outside the walls with the presence of a gully and pit, probably Roman in date. Deposits within the milecastle were mostly post-Roman in date, and included the remains of a post-medieval probable barn. (7-8) Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (9)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : 1:2500 1962
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Bruce, J C, 1957. Handbook to the Roman Wall, 11th edition
Page(s) : 67
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Source Number : 9
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Original MSS T Hepple (In possession of Durham University)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 RL 08-MAR-66
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Mark Bowden/26-SEP-1989/RCHME: Hadrian's Wall Project
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Source Number : 5a
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Source details : Bosanquet R C 'The Roman Period'
Page(s) : 16-50
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Vol(s) : vol.12

Source Number : 5b
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Source details : Birley E, Brewis P and Simpson F G 'Excavations on Hadrian's Wal between Heddon-on-the-Wall and North Tyne in 1931'
Page(s) : 256-7
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Vol(s) : 9, 1932

Source Number : 6
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Source details : 14-Jul-97
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Source Number : 7
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Page(s) : 164-7
Figs. : 257-262
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Source Number : 8
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Page(s) : 94
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Roman
Display Date : Roman
Monument End Date : 410
Monument Start Date : 43
Monument Type : Milecastle
Evidence : Earthwork, Sub Surface Deposit

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 26043
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ND 28
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Hadrian's Wall Project Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 0668/3
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NZ 06 NE 8
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1931-01-01
End Date : 1931-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-03-08
End Date : 1966-03-08

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1988-01-01
End Date : 1993-08-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1999-01-01
End Date : 1999-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Milecastle 17