More information : (SD 51459070) Alavna Roman Fort (GS) (site of) (1)
A Roman fort at Watercrook, the rampart greatly reduced by ploughing etc but still prominent on the SW side (2). Excavations in 1930 (3) and 1944 (4) laid bare the NW gate and the S angle, and established a fort of circa 80-85 AD with clay rampart and ditch; followed by a stone wall fort (circa 120-130 AD) with occupation beyond AD 369 (4). The internal arrangements, plotted from parch-marks in the 1887 drought, show the fort to be of the standard cohors quingenaria pattern (5); and the 1944 excavations confirm this, finding part of one of the barrack blocks (4). Identified as Alavna from the Antonine Itinerary and the Notitia Dignitatum (6). (2-6)
See sketch and St Joseph AP. (7)
Condition unchanged.
To be resurveyed at 1:1250 by field surveyor. (8)
Excavations took place on the north east part of Watercrook Roman fort in 1974-5 prior to river widening (see plans). It was shown that the fort was of Flavian foundation, the initial occupation beginning AD 90-95, and not Agricolan as previously thought. Evidence of a vicus to the north and east of the fort was revealed (See SD 59 SW 23). Complete excavation report, plans and illustrations in Authy 8. There is no clear evidence for the Roman name of Watercrook fort, and it is no longer positively identified with the Alavna of the Antonine Itinerary or the Alione of the Notitia Dignitatum. (9)
ALAUNA. Probably the Roman fort at Watercrook. Mentioned in Antonine Itinerary 481 (3) (Iter X) as ALONE. (10)
In addition to the Roman remains, four flints, one probably Neolithic/Bronze Age, and two abraded sherds, probably of an All Over Cord Beaker, were also recovered. (11)
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