Corstopitum (Corbridge)

The Romans reached the region of Corbridge in the year AD 79. Therefore a fort was constructed about 750 meters west of the present excavation place. This and the belonging bath house were dug up, but are not however anymore visible. The fort served as a supply basis for the conquest campaigns in Scotland.

In Corspotitum the first fort became constructed after AD 84. Around 105 it was destroyed through a fire. After that a second was constructed. Into this time also the construction time of the Stanegate comes. Around 120 the fort was built again. It was planed as a troop supply basis for the Hadrian's Wall. It was about 4 km south of the wall. When in the year 142 the Antonine Wall was constructed, the fort was altered and existed mainly of stone. It lay on a street, which led to Scotland. From that parts of the principia and the praetorium are to be seen today still. When the Antonine Wall was given up around the year 163, the importance of the fort dwindled away.

After that developed the civil settlement to a little town. The fort was demolished in a piecemeal way over quite a long period of time. Nevertheless some troops still were, however, stationed here.

Horrea, a fountain house and a courtyard building were constructed. Its use is controversial (forum, storehouse, workshop). After invasions of northern tribes around the year 180 these became finished. South of the Stanegate a military compound was built. It existed of a western and eastern part and was from a wall surrounded.

After the Romans left Britain around 407, the town existed presumably under local administration even more further. How long is not known.