07-03-2008, 01:05 PM
I was just pondering Yuri about this whole discussion of the Pons Aelius and Hadrians' Wall, and of course the relationship of the Fort to the wall. It has become the accepted view that the Wall from Newcastle to Wallsend was a later construction to the overall plan of this Roman structure, then if this is the case why indeed does Hadrians' Wall come down from the top of the Tyne Valley on a heading of ESE to meet the north end of the Bridge. There is another situation to consider which has up until now never been mentioned, just how did the Roman road traveling north go through the Wall was it simply an unguarded gate ?? It does appear to be a bit strange indeed, for this is not the case at the forts of Hunnum, Procolitia, or Magna. It may be well to mention that the Fort of Magna stands behind the wall from the fact that it was originaly a Stanegate Fort guarding the Maiden Way.
Brian Stobbs
