Farnley 3 |
Hob Uid: 914887 | |
Location : Northumberland Corbridge
|
Grid Ref : NY9980063100 |
Summary : Roman temporary camp visible as a cropmark. Three camps, of differing size and orientation, have been recorded lying close together on an undulating terrace at about 67 m above OD. To the N is the steep scarp down to the haughlands and the S bank of the River Tyne; to the S, beyond the line of Dere Street, 250 m away, the ground rises steeply to Prospect Hill. There are extensive views upstream and downstream, from the sites of the camps, including the Flavian supply base at Red House and the fort at Corbridge (Coria), respectively about 3 km and 2 km NW up the valley. The outline of camp 3, the most easterly, is almost completely known except for its SE corner. Measuring about 160 m WSW to ENE by 102 m transversely, it covered over 1.6 ha (4.0 acres). A gate is visible in both the W and the N sides, the latter at the position appropriate to a 2:1 ratio, but the probable sites of opposing E and S entrances appears to imply that the camp faced ENE away from Dere Street. It may, therefore, have predated the establishment of this road. The detailed positioning of camp 3, and perhaps of the other two camps, seems to have subtly exploited minor topographical features. Part of the terrace on which the camps are sited rises gently to the N. The S side of camp 3 lies close to the crest of this slope and appears to be aligned along it. Although the line of the crest can no longer be traced as a distinct feature to the S of the modern road general differences in ground level suggest that the S sides of camps 1 and 2 may perhaps have utilised this natural rise in a similar way, and that this may also have determined their overall alignments. Full information is included in the NMR Archive. |
More information : This camp has been re-assessed in connection with RCHME's survey and publication of Roman Camps in England. The following descriptive account is taken from the published text. Camp previously recorded with Farnely 1 and 2; now assigned unique identity. Three camps, of differing size and orientation, have been recorded lying close together on an undulating terrace at about 67 m above OD (CUCAP ATH 5 (1a); St Joseph 1951, 53 (1b)). To the N is the steep scarp down to the haughlands and the S bank of the River Tyne; to the S, beyond the line of Dere Street, 250 m away, the ground rises steeply to Prospect Hill. There are extensive views upstream and downstream, from the sites of the camps, including the Flavian supply base at Red House and the fort at Corbridge (Coria), respectively about 3 km and 2 km NW up the valley. The outline of camp 3, the most easterly, is almost completely known except for its SE corner. Measuring about 160 m WSW to ENE by 102 m transversely, it covered over 1.6 ha (4.0 acres). A gate is visible in both the W and the N sides, the latter at the position appropriate to a 2:1 ratio, but the probable sites of opposing E and S entrances appears to imply that the camp faced ENE away from Dere Street. It may, therefore, have predated the establishment of this road. The detailed positioning of camp 3, and perhaps of the other two camps, seems to have subtly exploited minor topographical features. Part of the terrace on which the camps are sited rises gently to the N. The S side of camp 3 lies close to the crest of this slope and appears to be aligned along it. Although the line of the crest can no longer be traced as a distinct feature to the S of the modern road general differences in ground level suggest that the S sides of camps 1 and 2 may perhaps have utilised this natural rise in a similar way, and that this may also have determined their overall alignments. Full information is included in the NMR Archive. (1)
NY 997 631. Three temporary camps at Farnley Grange. Scheduled No ND/342. (2)
Published account. (3)
Three temporary camps at Farnley Grange. (4) |