Cropmark record MAB64393 - LUNANHEAD

Cropmarks of Roman Temporary Camp, known also from map evidence.

Cropmarks of Roman Temporary Camp, known also from map evidence. Ainslie's map of Forfar (1794) shows a plan of a long narrow rectangular 'Roman Camp' with a small rectangular enclosure in the south east interior. Two roads cross the camp from north-south. Knox (1831) shows that the camp has rounded corners and six gates, defended by titulii and that the southern entrances were not respected by the roadways crossing the camp as well as showing the internal enclosure. The Rev Dr Jamieson (1822) mentioned the remains of what he called a 'Pictish camp', in an area by then mostly planted so only one part of the earthwork could be seen distinctly. The ditch appeared to have been about 3m broad and was still 1.5m deep, and the 'breastwork' was about 1.8m broad. In 1939 this camp, was rediscovered by O. G. S. Crawford when he noted what he interpreted as Jamieson's earthwork running parallel to the railway from a large oval, perhaps natural, mound at Lunan Well and crossing the Brechin road immediately south of the railway bridge. The OS in 1958 discovered no trace of the camp, most of which was under crop, except a bank or wall foundation running from NO 4704 5190 to NO 4723 5194 which was interpreted as too slight to be of any defensive value, and probably an old field bank. No trace was also found east of the road towards the mound, which was interpreted as a natural swelling at Lunan Well. However, in 1969 a short length of cropmark recorded by CUCAP was excavated by St Joseph and found to be that of a V-shaped ditch of Roman type. Subsequent reconnaissance has revealed 426m of the north side and the rounded northwest corner. This camp has been classified by St Joseph as of the 63 acre class. The dimensions of the camp are given as circa 2 1/2 furlongs (circa 503m) North-South, and extending from a line north of South Suttieside (NO 463 518) on the west to the alleged 'camp' (NO45SE0016) on the east, a distance of circa 5 1/2 furlongs (circa 1106m). Lying within the area of this camp is a circular crop mark of an enclosure centred NO4733 5223 (NMR ref NO45SE121). A watching brief (NO45SE0193) in 2008 on groundworks for a new electricity cable in the southern part of the site found no archaeological features or artefacts.

AN/3660/PO (1969), AN/3660/PO (1969) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB26882.

AN/3661/PO (1969), AN/3661/PO (1969) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB26288.

B16632 (1988), B16632 (1988) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB21163.

Ainslie, J, 1794, [Untitled], (scale) 1":1 ml (Bibliographic reference). SAB10188.

Jamieson, J, 1822, Archaeol Scot 2, 23 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11913.

Knox, J, 1831, [Untitled] (Bibliographic reference). SAB10511.

Crawford, O G S, 1949, [Untitled], 138 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11745.

St Joseph, J K, 1973, J Roman Stud 63, 224 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9663.

St Joseph, J K, 1974, Discovery and Excavation, Scotland, 7 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11113.

RCAHMS, 1978, [Untitled], 22, No. 163 (Bibliographic reference). SAB7233.

CASEY, C, 2008, WATCHING BRIEF: LUNANHEAD-FORESTMUIR CABLE, WB report (Bibliographic reference). SAB3975.

Watching brief

JONES, R. H., 2011, ROMAN CAMPS IN SCOTLAND, 333 (Bibliographic reference). SAB925.

Record last edited

Jul 18 2024 10:58AM