More information : [Area centred NY 0865 4850] A Roman cemetery site a short distance south of Beckfoot fort [NY 04 NE 12], has been revealed by coastal erosion. A funeral pyre was found in April 1948, 400 yds south-west of the corner of the above fort, and a further one by Bellhouse. Finds include much coarse Castor ware, Samian, a 2nd brass of Trajan and a 2nd cent. olla. A 2nd century Samian bowl with calcined bones was found in 1957. Cist found 1960 and bronze disc brooch found 1961. (1-5)
Nothing of interest was seen or found on the ground. Enquiries ascertained that finds were made just above the published High Water Mark, along about a 60m stretch, centred at the above reference, but further erosion and shifting sand has obliterated the site. Small finds from the area are held by several people, but principally by the authorities listed above. (6)
No trace of burial deposits in an eroding sandy cliff at or near the grid reference given, and it cannot be determined if the cemetery has been partly or totally destroyed. (7)
In 2006, Oxford Archaeology North undertook an evaluation circa 350m south-west of the fort at Beckfoot (NY 087 486). This was in an area of coastal dunes, and sort to identifiy the remains, if any, of the cemetery and milefortlet 15. No evidence for the milefortlet was found, however, eight cremation burials were recorded (of which four were excavated). Pyre debris was also discovered. The pottery was almost entirely Antonine or later in date, and suggested the main period of use for the cemetery was in the third century. (8)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (9) |