Cropmark record MAB65548 - STRACATHRO

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Summary

Cropmarks of a Roman temporary camp, discovered during aerial reconnaissance in 1955 by CUCAP.

Protected Status/Designation

Scheduled Monument 2829: Stracathro Roman fort and camp

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Location

Grid reference	Centred NO 6146 6559 (910m by 599m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent
Map sheet	NO66NW
Civil Parish	Stracathro
Authority	Angus

Type and Period (7)

SOUTERRAIN? (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
DITCH (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
PIT (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
RING DITCH (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
GATEWAY (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURE (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)
TEMPORARY CAMP (Late Upper Palaeolithic to Late Roman Iron Age - 40000 BC to 401 AD)

Full Description

Cropmarks of a Roman temporary camp, discovered during aerial reconnaissance in 1955 by CUCAP. Continued reconnaissance by CUCAP, the RCAHMS and AAS has revealed the dimensions of the camp. It is a rectangular parallelogram on plan, measuring about 425m from northwest to southeast by 375m (circa 15.8ha). The camp, with its four clavicular gateways is the type-site for the 'Stracathro' type camp, probably because it has a less complicated version of the gateway as recorded by Roy at Dalginross, Perthshire, in the 18th century. Following its discovery St Joseph excavated the north-west gateway. The ditch was revealed to be shallow, V-shaped (about 8ft wide and 3.5 ft deep) and have a squared off channel at the base, increasing the depth to circa 4ft, with the filling appearing as natural silting and earth accumulated during cultivation. The series of 'Stracathro' camps, combined with the presumed relationship to the adjacent Flavian fort to the northeast, suggest that the camp was constructed during the campaigns of Julius Agricola in AD 78-84. There are numerous cropmarks of pits within the camp, which probably represent field ovens, furnaces, latrines and rubbish pits. There are also traces of at least one ring-ditch and a possible souterrain showing within the camp. No trace of the camp is visible on the ground. The cropmark of the annexe to the Roman fort overlaps the north-west corner, but which is chronologically earlier is unknown. Watching brief carried out in January 2009 over the excavation of a trench as part of the installation of a new electricity supply to Smiddyhill farmhouse. The trench was excavated to a depth of 700mm, but no finds or features of archaeological signifcance were encountered. Resistance and magnetic surveys carried out in 2012 (as part of the Roman Gask Project) included part of the temporary camp together with the entire surviving area of the Roman fort (NO66NW0033) and its annexe.

Period Notes
Built c. AD78-84

AN/2852-6, AN/2852-6 (Photograph). SAB22582.

AN/2941-2, AN/2941-2 (Photograph). SAB22583.

AN/3375-80 (1977), AN/3375-80 (1977) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22584.

AN/3968-71 (1979), AN/3968-71 (1979) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22586.

AN/4002-10 (1979), AN/4002-10 (1979) (Photograph). SAB22587.

AN/4408-10/CN (1972), AN/4408-10/CN (1972) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22590.

AN/4524-7/CN (1976), AN/4524-7/CN (1976) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22611.

AN/4790-8 (1981), AN/4790-8 (1981) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22612.

AN/5205/CS (1981), AN/5205/CS (1981) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22613.

AN/5530-2 (1982), AN/5530-2 (1982) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22614.

AN/5767-73 (1982), AN/5767-73 (1982) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22615.

AN/5897/CS (1982), AN/5897/CS (1982) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22616.

AN/5965/S (1982), AN/5965/S (1982) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB23474.

AN/5965-7 (1982), AN/5965-7 (1982) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22617.

B/44328-31 (1990), B/44328-31 (1990) (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22618.

C/51894-7, C/51894-7 (Photograph). SAB22581.

Untitled Source (Photograph). SAB22593.

ROY, W., 1793, THE MILITARY ANTIQUITIES OF THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN (Bibliographic reference). SAB1507.

St Joseph, J K, 1955, J Roman Stud 45, 87 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9638.

St Joseph, J K, 1958, J Roman Stud 48, 92 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9640.

St Joseph, J K, 1969, J Roman Stud 59, 113-14, 118 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9655.

St Joseph, J K, 1970, Britannia 1, 163, 171-5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9658.

Wilson, D R, 1970, Britannia 1, 273 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10293.

Hartley, B R, 1972, Britannia 3, 4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11860.

St Joseph, J K S, 1976, Glasgow Archaeol J 4, 7, 26 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9673.

Wilson, D R, 1976, Scot Archaeol Forum 7, 24 (Bibliographic reference). SAB10307.

Robertson, A S, 1976, Scot Archaeol Forum 7, 4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9761.

St Joseph, J K, 1978, Britannia 9, 279 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9674.

Breeze, D J, 1980, Scot Archaeol Forum 12, 16-17 (Bibliographic reference). SAB11695.

Maxwell, G S, 1980, Scot Archaeol Forum 12, 31, 34-7, 41 (Bibliographic reference). SAB6815.

RCAHMS, 1983, [Untitled], 32, No. 254 (Bibliographic reference). SAB9210.

HANSON, W. S., 1983, ROME'S NORTH WEST FRONTIER: THE ANTONINE WALL, 20, 41-3, 65 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2696.

PITTS, L. F., 1985, INCHTUTHILL: ROMAN LEGIONARY FORTRESS; EXCAVATIONS, 227 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1461.

MORRIS, P, 2008, A MAGNETIC SURVEY OF STRACATHRO ROMAN FORT, report (Bibliographic reference). SAB4612.

magnetic survey

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2009, SMIDDYHILL & STRACATHRO CHURCH: WATCHING BRIEF, WB report (Bibliographic reference). SAB4628.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2010, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND: VOL 10, 2009, p.33 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3514.

JONES, R. H., 2011, ROMAN CAMPS IN SCOTLAND, 305 (Bibliographic reference). SAB925.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2013, DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 13, 2012, p.32 (Bibliographic reference). SAB5487.

Aug 5 1980 , B/51523/PO, B/51523/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22621.

Aug 5 1980 , B/51529-30/PO, B/51529-30/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB23624.

Aug 14 2000 , D 69550-7 CN, D 69550-7 CN (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22591.

Aug 14 2000 , D 74848-52, D 74848-52 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22592.

Jul 9 1981 , AAS/81/5/CT1-4, AAS/81/5/CT1-4 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22499.

Jul 16 2003 , AAS/03/1/CT78-82, AAS/03/1/CT78-82 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29499.

Jul 17 1955 , AN/3729/PO, AN/3729/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22585.

Jul 20 2000 , AAS/00/11/CT40-50, AAS/00/11/CT40-50 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29327.

Jul 20 2000 , AAS/00/11/G27/13-9, AAS/00/11/G27/13-9 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29326.

Jul 22 1962 , AN 3730 PO, AN 3730 PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB21960.

Jul 22 2008 , AAS/08/3/DG088,090, AAS/08/3/DG088,090 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB30035.

Jul 24 2003 , E 43158-60, E 43158-60 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22500.

Jul 25 1981 , B/51525-8/PO, B/51525-8/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB23623.

Jul 27 1969 , AN/4177/PO, AN/4177/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB23621.

Jul 29 1971 , AN 4179 PO, AN 4179 PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22367.

Jul 29 1971 , AN/4179-80/PO, AN/4179-80/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB23622.

Jul 30 1979 , B/51515/PO, B/51515/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22619.

Jul 30 1979 , B/51517-9/PO, B/51517-9/PO (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB22620.

Jul 31 1957 , AN/4178/PO, AN/4178/PO (Photograph). SAB22588.

Jul 31 1969 , AN/4181/PO, AN/4181/PO (Photograph). SAB22589.

Author unknown, n.d., DAILY MAIL, 01/09/12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4042.

Sep 15 2000 , AAS/00/13/CT30-2, AAS/00/13/CT30-2 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29359.

Sep 15 2000 , AAS/00/13/G31/9,10, AAS/00/13/G31/9,10 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29360.

Other Statuses/References

Authority: ANG;
HES Scheduled Monument Number: 2829;
NMR Card Number: NO66NW13;
NRHE Numlink: 35940;
Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NO66NW0013;

External Links (2)

https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2829 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
https://www.trove.scot/place/35940 (trove.scot link)

Sources/Archives (61)

--- SAB10293 Bibliographic reference: Wilson, D R. 1970. Britannia 1. 273.
--- SAB10307 Bibliographic reference: Wilson, D R. 1976. Scot Archaeol Forum 7. 24.
--- SAB11695 Bibliographic reference: Breeze, D J. 1980. Scot Archaeol Forum 12. 16-17.
--- SAB11860 Bibliographic reference: Hartley, B R. 1972. Britannia 3. 4.
--- SAB1461 Bibliographic reference: PITTS, L. F.. 1985. INCHTUTHILL: ROMAN LEGIONARY FORTRESS; EXCAVATIONS. N. Y. 227.
--- SAB1507 Bibliographic reference: ROY, W.. 1793. THE MILITARY ANTIQUITIES OF THE ROMANS IN BRITAIN. N. N.
--- SAB21960 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 22 1962 . AN 3730 PO. Black & White. AN 3730 PO.
--- SAB22367 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 29 1971 . AN 4179 PO. Black & White. AN 4179 PO.
--- SAB22499 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 9 1981 . AAS/81/5/CT1-4. Colour Transparency. AAS/81/5/CT1-4.
--- SAB22500 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 24 2003 . E 43158-60. Black & White. E 43158-60.
--- SAB22581 Photograph: C/51894-7. . C/51894-7.
--- SAB22582 Photograph: AN/2852-6. . AN/2852-6.
--- SAB22583 Photograph: AN/2941-2. . AN/2941-2.
--- SAB22584 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/3375-80 (1977). Black & White. AN/3375-80 (1977).
--- SAB22585 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 17 1955 . AN/3729/PO. Black & White. AN/3729/PO.
--- SAB22586 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/3968-71 (1979). Black & White. AN/3968-71 (1979).
--- SAB22587 Photograph: AN/4002-10 (1979). . AN/4002-10 (1979).
--- SAB22588 Photograph: Jul 31 1957 . AN/4178/PO. Black & White. AN/4178/PO.
--- SAB22589 Photograph: Jul 31 1969 . AN/4181/PO. Black & White. AN/4181/PO.
--- SAB22590 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/4408-10/CN (1972). Colour Negative. AN/4408-10/CN (1972).
--- SAB22591 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 14 2000 . D 69550-7 CN. Colour Negative. D 69550-7 CN.
--- SAB22592 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 14 2000 . D 74848-52. Black & White. D 74848-52.
--- SAB22593 Photograph:
--- SAB22611 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/4524-7/CN (1976). Colour Negative. AN/4524-7/CN (1976).
--- SAB22612 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/4790-8 (1981). . AN/4790-8 (1981).
--- SAB22613 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5205/CS (1981). Colour Transparency. AN/5205/CS (1981).
--- SAB22614 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5530-2 (1982). . AN/5530-2 (1982).
--- SAB22615 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5767-73 (1982). . AN/5767-73 (1982).
--- SAB22616 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5897/CS (1982). Colour Transparency. AN/5897/CS (1982).
--- SAB22617 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5965-7 (1982). . AN/5965-7 (1982).
--- SAB22618 Air-oblique Photograph: B/44328-31 (1990). . B/44328-31 (1990).
--- SAB22619 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 30 1979 . B/51515/PO. Black & White. B/51515/PO.
--- SAB22620 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 30 1979 . B/51517-9/PO. Black & White. B/51517-9/PO.
--- SAB22621 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 5 1980 . B/51523/PO. Black & White. B/51523/PO.
--- SAB23474 Air-oblique Photograph: AN/5965/S (1982). Black & White. AN/5965/S (1982).
--- SAB23621 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 27 1969 . AN/4177/PO. Black & White. AN/4177/PO.
--- SAB23622 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 29 1971 . AN/4179-80/PO. Black & White. AN/4179-80/PO.
--- SAB23623 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 25 1981 . B/51525-8/PO. Black & White. B/51525-8/PO.
--- SAB23624 Air-oblique Photograph: Aug 5 1980 . B/51529-30/PO. Black & White. B/51529-30/PO.
--- SAB2696 Bibliographic reference: HANSON, W. S.. 1983. ROME'S NORTH WEST FRONTIER: THE ANTONINE WALL. N. Y. 20, 41-3, 65.
--- SAB29326 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 20 2000 . AAS/00/11/G27/13-9. Black & White. AAS/00/11/G27/13-9.
--- SAB29327 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 20 2000 . AAS/00/11/CT40-50. Colour Transparency. AAS/00/11/CT40-50.
--- SAB29359 Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 15 2000 . AAS/00/13/CT30-2. Colour Transparency. AAS/00/13/CT30-2.
--- SAB29360 Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 15 2000 . AAS/00/13/G31/9,10. Black & White. AAS/00/13/G31/9,10.
--- SAB29499 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 16 2003 . AAS/03/1/CT78-82. Colour Transparency. AAS/03/1/CT78-82.
--- SAB30035 Air-oblique Photograph: Jul 22 2008 . AAS/08/3/DG088,090. DG. AAS/08/3/DG088,090.
--- SAB3514 Bibliographic reference: ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND. 2010. DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND: VOL 10, 2009. Y. p.33.
--- SAB4042 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. DAILY MAIL. 01/09/12.
--- SAB4612 Bibliographic reference: MORRIS, P. 2008. A MAGNETIC SURVEY OF STRACATHRO ROMAN FORT. N. N. report.
--- SAB4628 Bibliographic reference: MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES. 2009. SMIDDYHILL & STRACATHRO CHURCH: WATCHING BRIEF. WB report.
--- SAB5487 Bibliographic reference: ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND. 2013. DISCOVERY AND EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, NEW SERIES, VOLUME 13, 2012. p.32.
--- SAB6815 Bibliographic reference: Maxwell, G S. 1980. Scot Archaeol Forum 12. 31, 34-7, 41.
--- SAB9210 Bibliographic reference: RCAHMS. 1983. [Untitled]. 32, No. 254.
--- SAB925 Bibliographic reference: JONES, R. H.. 2011. ROMAN CAMPS IN SCOTLAND. N. 305.
--- SAB9638 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K. 1955. J Roman Stud 45. 87.
--- SAB9640 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K. 1958. J Roman Stud 48. 92.
--- SAB9655 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K. 1969. J Roman Stud 59. 113-14, 118.
--- SAB9658 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K. 1970. Britannia 1. 163, 171-5.
--- SAB9673 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K S. 1976. Glasgow Archaeol J 4. 7, 26.
--- SAB9674 Bibliographic reference: St Joseph, J K. 1978. Britannia 9. 279.
--- SAB9761 Bibliographic reference: Robertson, A S. 1976. Scot Archaeol Forum 7. 4.