How many legionary soldiers were stationed on the Wall? Expand Very few – the garrisons in the forts were nearly all auxiliary soldiers – infantry, cavalry and specialist troops like the Syrian archers at Carvoran. After building was completed, the legionary soldiers retired to their bases at Chester, Caerleon and York.
How long did people live? Expand Depending on the time, occupation and wealth. The average for women in Roman Britain was 28. 52 for men.
How long did it take to build the fort? Expand The standard answer to this is about 2 years in stone, quicker if the fort was built in wood but the outer defences would have been constructed first and then the internal building would take place.
How large was the Roman Army? Expand The numbers varied, but roughly half a million men served at most times in the army throughout the Empire – and Britain had more troops than any other province.
How did the Roman buildings become covered in grass? Expand At the end of the Roman occupation the buildings were abandoned and eventually fell into disrepair. Windblown soil gradually started to cover collapsed buildings allowing grass and weeds to establish themselves and grow over the remains.
How did the men from Italy cope with Britain’s awful weather? Expand Probably not very well, but only a tiny percentage of Roman soldiers serving in Britain came from Italy. The majority originated from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain. It is also now thought that the climate in Britain at the time was a little warmer - and wetter – than it is today.
Did the soldiers have slaves? Expand Yes, some did. It was dependent of their socioeconomic status. Higher ranking officer would have had slaves.We have evidence of slaves at Vindolanda from the Ink Writing Tablets.
Did soldiers return to the mainland once they had finished their military service? Expand It all depends on the soldier and on where he came from there is evidence of both. Sometimes they had been away from their birth place for so long and they had married a local woman and so therefore wanted to stay where they were. Some soldiers were also given their pension in land and would settle their upon retirement. Often soldiers would settle together creating colonies.
Could the soldiers speak, read and write Latin? Expand Latin was the official language of the army and evidence from the Vindolanda writing tablets suggests that the soldiers could write in Latin very well. In later years, and especially in the 4th century, standards declined.
Can anyone come along and dig at Vindolanda? Expand As part of our research excavation we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and countries, as long as you are over 17 years if age (17 years old must be accompanied by an adult) and physically fit. More information is available in our excavate section.
Are all Roman forts built to the same plan? Expand Although all had similar headquarters buildings, commanding officers residence, granaries and workshops, cavalry forts were much larger than those of the infantry, providing more space for cavalrymen and their horses. Only the largest forts had hospitals. The smallest Wall forts occupy little more than 3 acres – the largest was 11 acres.
Did the Romans use slave labour to build the Wall? Expand No, the Wall was built by the skilled Roman legionary masons, with thousands of auxiliary soldiers providing the labour and bringing the vital building supplies to the construction areas.
How long was Hadrian’s Wall? Expand When completed, nearly 74 English miles long, or 80 Roman miles, but with an extension of the system (without a physical Wall) down the Western coast for a further 40 miles. Hadrian’s Wall stretches from Wallsend in the east, through Newcastle-upon-Tyne and westwards to Bowness on Solway in Cumbria with the extension travelling to Maryport on the Cumbrian coast.
Why did Hadrian build the Wall? Expand His biographer said that it was to separate the Romans from the Barbarians. Hadrian built frontiers all over the Roman Empire, largely to demonstrate that there was to be no further Roman expansion.
Vindolanda and the Romans FAQs Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Vindolanda, Hadrian's Wall and the Romans on the frontier. Expand We have collected here some of the most frequently asked questions about Vindolanda, Hadrian's Wall and the Romans in northern England.
How did the Romans get fresh water? Expand There are lots of fresh water springs at Vindolanda towards the west of the site. The Romans used these and built water tanks to store the water and stone aqueducts to move the water across the site. They also used wooden water pipes to move water underground rather than on the surface. When the archaeologists excavate them today they are often still running! To learn more read our water pipes blog.
What to the Romans would have been the most important building at Vindolanda? Expand The Principia or headquarters building would have been the most important building for the Romans. This was where all the official documents would have been kept, the armoury may have been here, it's where the high-ranking officals would have had their offices. It is also where the soldiers pay was kept in a room called the strong room, which was sunken into the floor and had double thick walls. Just outside of the strong room would have been the chapel of the standards, where the units standards and a image of the current Emperor would have sat. These would all have need strong protection and thus the headquarters is usually built first and built into the middle of the fort so it is protected on all sides.
What do you find the most often when excavating? Expand The most common find at Vindolanda and on most Roman sites is pottery. It was used by everyone, it doesn't degrade easily in the ground and a lot of it was one use only like amphorae for transportation that would have been thrown away when empty.
On Foot How to get to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum on foot. Expand Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum - Accessible from Bardon Mill by public footpaths and bridleways and is only a short detour if walking the Wall. Roman Army Museum - Situated on the line of the Wall, this makes a convenient and informative stop between Greenhead and Walltown Quarry. For more information - Hexham Tourist information on (01434) 652220 or National Parks Visitor Centre on +44 (0)1434 344777/344396 or contact the Vindolanda Trust at [email protected] or on +44 (0)1434 344277. All Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum facilities are reserved for visitors only.
By Pedal Bike How to get to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum by bike. Expand Many of our visitors arrive on bike as part of their journey along the Hadrian's Cycleway. Hadrian's Cycleway is a 170-mile exploration into Britain’s past. As well as magnificent coastal views and breathtaking countryside you’ll see the famous wall itself, Roman forts and museums, quaint villages and attractive market towns, all set in a World Heritage Site. For more information visit Sustrans. At both our attractions we have cycle parking adjacent to the entrances. At Roman Vindolanda (West Entrance) we have a solar powered e-bike charging shelter. So you can park and charge while you visit.
By Bus How to get to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum by bus. Expand Vindolanda - Local Bus - Newcastle - Carlisle (via Haltwhistle and Hexham) (685/85) nearest stop at Bardon Mill or connect to Hadrian's Wall Bus at Hexham or Haltwhistle. Hadrian's Wall Bus also travels from Newcastle to Carlisle stopping at sites along the Wall. For more information contact www.hadrianwallcountry.co.uk or Hexham Tourist information on (01434) 652220 or National Parks Visitor Centre on (01434) 344777/344396. Roman Army Museum - Local Bus - Newcastle - Carlisle (via Haltwhistle and Hexham) (685/85) nearest stop at Greenhead or connect to Hadrian's Wall Bus at Hexham or Haltwhistle. Hadrian's Wall Bus also travels from Newcastle to Carlisle stopping at sites along the Wall. For more information contact www.hadrianswallcountry.co.uk or Hexham Tourist information on (01434) 652220 or National Parks Visitor Centre on (01434) 344777/344396. Hadrian's Wall Bus - AD122 - Runs seasonally please see link for times and prices
By Car How to get to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum by car. Expand Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum A69: Leave following signs for Vindolanda (near Village of Bardon Mill). Circa 13 miles from Hexham, Circa 35 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne (A1), Circa 35 Miles from Carlisle (M6). Alternative Scenic Route: Vindolanda can also be reached from the B6318. If you are using at Sat Nav, please use NE47 7JN as our postcode, however, please use the road signs to Vindolanda when you are in the local area to take you to our main entrance. Or use the google link below to take you directly to our main entrance. Roman Vindolanda on Google Maps Roman Army Museum & Magna Fort A69: Leave following signs for Roman Army Museum (near village of Greenhead). Circa 20 miles from Hexham, Circa 42 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne (A1), Circa 28 Miles from Carlisle (M6). Alternative Scenic Route: Roman Army Museum can also be reached from the B6318. If you are using at Sat Nav, please use CA8 7JB as our postcode, however, please use the road signs to The Roman Army Museum when you are in the local area to take you to our main entrance. Roman Army Museum on Google Maps
Electric Vehicle Information Information about charging your your electric vehicle nearby to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum. Expand The closest rapid charging station is at Hexham General Hospital and you can find a fast charger at Wentworth Car Park also in Hexham or Haltwhistle Railway Station. There are standard charging points in the car parks at the Sill, Housesteads Roman Fort, Cawfields and Walltown (next to the Roman Army Museum). For directions to our sites when driving please see by car tab.
By Train How to get to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum by train. Expand Vindolanda - The nearest rail station is Bardon Mill. Connections can be made from Carlisle in the West and at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the East. For more information and on-line booking you can contact www.thetrainline.com or Travel Line: 0870 608 2608 or National Rail Enquiry Line: 08457 484950 Roman Army Museum - The nearest rail station is Haltwhistle. Connections can be made from Carlisle in the West and at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the East. For more information and on-line booking you can contact www.thetrainline.com or Travel Line: 0870 608 2608 or National Rail Enquiry Line: 08457 484950