| Summary : The site of the Mawbray sandpit tower 16B, part of the Roman frontier defences supoorting Hadrian's Wall along the Cumbrian coast. The tower was originally of sandstone construction and was excavated by Bellhouse in 1954. Situated on a consolidated dune to the south-east of a disused sand and gravel pit at NY 0784 4611 are the slight remains of this tower. The outer face of the north wall, 0.15m high, can be seen for a distance of 3.3m, and the inner face has been ascertained by probing indicating a wall width of circa 1.1m. immediately to the south of this wall the ground is disturbed by excavation, but no structures are exposed. |
More information : [NY 0784 4612] Roman tower No.16B (20'6" square) was excavated by R.L. Bellhouse in November, 1954. Two foundation courses of the west wall and half of the north wall were found resting on cobbles set in grey clay. Finds included pottery, 3 spear-heads and much occupation debris. (1)
The excavation, open, but drifting with sand, was located at NY 0784 4611. The complete rectangle is visible, formed of a 1m thick wall of sandstone blocks with rubble infill. Surveyed at 1/2500. The finds are believed to be in Carlisle Museum. (2)
The Tower has now been demolished, as the area is now a sand quarry. (3)
Situated on a consolidated dune to the south-east of a disused sand and gravel pit at NY 0784 4611 are the slight remains of this tower. The outer face of the north wall, 0.15m high, can be seen for a distance of 3.3m, and the inner face can be ascertained by probing indicating a wall width of circa 1.1m. immediately to the south of this wall the ground is disturbed by excavation, but no structures are exposed. (4)
Difficult to positively identify on the photography available to the Hadrian's Wall NMP project, but reference is given to 1948 photography of the immediate area. (5)
Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (6)
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