Vindolanda (Chesterholm)

The first timber fort presumably was built here in the eighties AD to protect the Stanegate. Another four followed this.

After the finishing of the Hadrian's Wall a stone fort was constructed. During the severan offensive in the years 208 to 211 all buildings within the fort walls were removed. Instead of this hundreds round huts were constructed. These are to be interpreted heavily. Possibly these served as "fugitive camps" for friendly northern tribes. It could also be a question of prisons for prisoners of these campaigns.

In the year 220 a new stone fort was built. Obviously the civilian settlement in front of the fort and the fort were left in the last quarter of the 3rd century. Around the year 300 the fort was built up again.

The finds indicate, that the fort was inhabited still after the year 400. Also a church from the year 500 was found.

Since the remains were covered with a layer of turf or clay, they were preserved in a slightly damp environment. These prevented oxygen reaching the debris. Therefore the remains of the timber forts were maintained well. In particular many sheets of wood with letters, store lists and accounts were found. These give an excellent insight into the "usual" roman life.

Before the stone fort a larger civilian settlement formed itself. Before the western wall a lot of houses were dug up. Also a bathhouse is to be seen here. Another bathhouse - which is dug up at this time - appertained to a timber fort.

In Vindolanda continuously new excavations occur. At this time a Celtic-roman temple is dug up.