The Roman Army Museum lies adjacent to a Roman fort which has been given the Roman and post Roman names of Magna and Carvoran. In spite of the wealth of Roman inscriptions found at the site - more than any other wall fort has produced - little is known of the history of the earliest forts. The well-known Roman Maiden Way, the cross-Pennines road from Brough, via Whitley Castle, joins the east to west Stanegate road at a point close to the south-east corner of the stone fort at Magna. Both roads were constructed early in the Roman occupation probably before AD 90, and it is conceivable that the fort was built to guard such an important junction. With the coming of the Wall, Magna became one of the many Wall forts. Like many of the other Wall forts, occupation probably continued until the early fifth century. Post Roman activity is likely as with the other forts. Unfortunately little else is known about the people who lived at Magna because the site has not been extensity excavated. If you are interested in finding out more, Robin Birley's book 'The Fort at the Rock, Magna and Carvoran on Hadrian's Wall', is the best publication.

In April 1981 the Roman Army Museum opened its doors and has welcomed many visitors. Then in 1997, after a long mutual friendship, the Vindolanda Trust began to administer the site. The Eagle's Eye film was produced in 2002 for the Roman Army Museum and is a virtual guided tour of the Carvoran to Vindolanda section of Hadrian's Wall complete with virtual reconstructions.