10-24-2010, 09:17 PM
Hear all,
First post and hoping you can help.
I am looking for explanations for a deliberately engineered break in a first century (probably auxiliary) fort (no names or photos possible at the moment I'm afraid). The break is evidenced by a 'back step' in the stone toe of the rampart, between which is a gap of 6 to 7 meters. The stone toe is absent but a clay band and probable berm forms a shallow concave shape between the gap, the 'cave' part projecting perhaps a meter and a half into the rampart. It does not appear to be a gateway as there is no evidence for a road surface (in fact an actual gateway has been projected some 20m west of the break) and there is nothing to suggest that the rampart did not cover the gap when complete. Original theory was that it was a breach in the rampart to aid demolition but that was before it was found to be deliberately laid. There is lots of head scratching as to the purpose of the break. Theories range from a possible temporary gateway that was used to a cock up in the laying out of the fort. Is anyone aware of another fort which exhibits a deliberate gap of this nature or does anyone have any ideas about the function it could have (I have even considered the possibility of a 'ballista nest' :roll: )
Cheers,
Johnny
First post and hoping you can help.
I am looking for explanations for a deliberately engineered break in a first century (probably auxiliary) fort (no names or photos possible at the moment I'm afraid). The break is evidenced by a 'back step' in the stone toe of the rampart, between which is a gap of 6 to 7 meters. The stone toe is absent but a clay band and probable berm forms a shallow concave shape between the gap, the 'cave' part projecting perhaps a meter and a half into the rampart. It does not appear to be a gateway as there is no evidence for a road surface (in fact an actual gateway has been projected some 20m west of the break) and there is nothing to suggest that the rampart did not cover the gap when complete. Original theory was that it was a breach in the rampart to aid demolition but that was before it was found to be deliberately laid. There is lots of head scratching as to the purpose of the break. Theories range from a possible temporary gateway that was used to a cock up in the laying out of the fort. Is anyone aware of another fort which exhibits a deliberate gap of this nature or does anyone have any ideas about the function it could have (I have even considered the possibility of a 'ballista nest' :roll: )
Cheers,
Johnny
