The Inner Stones and Clay Core of the 2nd Century Rampart

© Kanovium Project

During the 20th century, and probably a significant part of the 19th century, a large oak tree had stood here on the crest of the rampart, this is close to the south east angle, as with many trees on the site it had been dead since the 1970’s and the rotted remains of the bowl of the tree finally fell away during the storms of October 2000.  The rain also removed many stones from the rampart which until that time had been in situ and increased the damage once the tree’s remains ceased to hold the ancient stones in place.  Also clearly visible is the clay wall core, this can be seen to slope back and illustrates the angle cut back for the insertion of the stone wall during the middle years of the 2nd century.

Here we can see the type of stones the Romans used for unseen parts of the wall, the outer stones would have been red sandstone but these have all been robbed away, only leaving several in place throughout the whole length of the south rampart.  The stones, local shale, obviously didn’t interest the stone robbers as it can be found in abundance nearby.  The church has been responsible for the single most destructive case of stone robbing, while they preferred the sandstone, many pieces of this shale have ended up in the church, particularly in late additions to the church by which time the sandstone would have been less available.  The church yard perimeter wall is built mostly of this type of stone.  However some sandstone blocks do still appear in this image, left and right middle.