Description
The monument is the upstanding and buried remains of a multi-phased complex of Roman military features and associated remains all likely dating to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. It consists of a Roman fortlet, a sequence of three overlying forts, two overlying annexes, a section of Roman road, a possible Roman camp, enclosures and field system. The monument survives as both earthworks and buried remains and has been recorded through a combination of surviving earthworks, cropmarks on aerial photographs, geophysical survey and small-scale excavation. The monument lies on low lying ground north of the Mein Water, at about 60m above sea level.
The Roman fortlet, dating to the late 1st century AD, and earliest Roman fort, built around AD120, survive as buried remains revealed through excavation beneath the later fort. The fort was rebuilt and enlarged around AD142. It was destroyed in AD 158 and rebuilt on similar lines. This fort survives as earthworks defining the central platform and rampart, along with six outer ditches on the northern side. The ditches on the west side have been recorded as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The south side of the fort has been eroded by the Mein Water.
At least two phases of annexe have been recorded as cropmarks and as low earthworks, attached to the west side of the fort. Both phases of annexe were triple ditched enclosures set at a slightly different alignment from the fort. The main Roman road runs from north to south through the annexes. A series of enclosures, probably of broadly contemporary date, have been recorded by geophysical survey immediately west of the annexes and likely extend south of the railway. The remains of a Roman camp or additional annexe has been recorded as cropmarks about 170m northwest of the fort. A rounded corner and two stretches of ditch, measuring at least 85m on the southwest and 25m on the northwest have been recorded. The remains of a field system have been recorded as cropmarks and by geophysical survey around the location of this possible camp or annexe.
The scheduled area is irregular. It includes the remains described above and an area around within which evidence relating to the monument's construction, use and abandonment is expected to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map. The scheduling specifically excludes the above-ground elements of all fences, field walls, field gates and telegraph poles to allow for their maintenance.
Statement of National Importance
The national importance of the monument is demonstrated in the following way(s) (see Designations Policy and Selection Guidance, Annex 1, para 17):
a. The monument is of national importance because it makes a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past, or has the potential to do so as a multi-period complex of Roman remains. As part of the Roman strategic network of camps, forts, fortlets and signal stations, it adds to our understanding of Roman military expansion into Scotland. The possible presence of a civil settlement, suggested by the enclosures and field system, has the potential to enhance our understanding of the nature and scale of civilian settlements in Scotland and the use of the surrounding landscape.
b. The monument retains structural, architectural, decorative or other physical attributes which make a significant contribution to our understanding or appreciation of the past. In particular, there is good potential for the survival of archaeological and environmental evidence within, beneath and around the remains of the fort, annexes, Roman road, enclosures, field system and possible temporary camp.
c. The monument is a rare example of an extensive multi-phased Roman military complex with possible associated domestic activity, represented by the enclosures and field systems.
d. The monument is a particularly good example of Roman fort and associated remains and is therefore an important representative of this monument type
e. The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. The Roman fort and annexes, as well as the Roman fortlet and possible Roman camp can tell us about the character, layout and nature of Roman forts, fortlets and camps as well adding to our understanding of the lives of Roman soldiers. Further research and investigation of the surviving remains has the potential to explain the chronology of this site, helping to inform our understanding of Roman military occupation and control in Scotland. The field system and enclosures can tell us about nature and scale of civilian settlements in Scotland, the use of the surrounding landscape and the nature of the Roman occupation of Scotland.
f. The monument makes a significant contribution to today's landscape and our understanding of the historic landscape. The complex is part of a concentration of Roman remains around this location and adds to our understanding of the strategic importance of this area. As part of the wider Roman strategic network of military installations, it has the potential to add to our understanding of Roman military occupation during the period of the Roman incursions. The earthwork remains of the fort remain a significant feature in the landscape today.
Assessment of Cultural Significance
This statement of national importance has been informed by the following assessment of cultural significance:
Intrinsic characteristics (how the remains of a site or place contribute to our knowledge of the past)
The monument is a multi-phased complex of Roman features surviving as both upstanding earthworks and buried features. It has been recorded through a combination of earthworks, cropmarks on aerial photographs, geophysical survey and small-scale excavation. The archaeological excavations of the fort in 1895, 1936-7 and 1962-7 have demonstrated good survival of archaeological deposits. The excavations demonstrated that the fort was preceded by a Roman fortlet, dating to the late 1st century AD, and that the fort had three phases of construction.
The first Roman fort was built around AD 120. It was rectangular on plan, enclosing an area of about 1.65ha within a thick turf rampart and at least one external ditch. The internal buildings were built of wood. The largest annexe is considered to be contemporary with this first phase of construction. The Roman road passes through this annexe, exiting through an entrance roughly midway along its north side. The fort was rebuilt and enlarged around AD 142 to enclose an area of about 2.1ha within stone-based turf ramparts and six outer ditches. The internal buildings were built of stone or stone and timber. The annexe also appears to have also been rebuilt at this date, but was reduced in size. In AD 158, the fort was destroyed and rebuilt on similar lines.
A rounded corner and two stretches of ditch of what may be a Roman temporary camp or part of another annexe has been recorded as cropmarks to the north of the fort. Cropmarks and geophysical survey have recorded the remains of a field system around this possible camp. A series of enclosures have been recorded by geophysical survey immediately west of the annexes and likely extend south of the railway. The field system and enclosures may be broadly contemporary with the fort and likely relate to domestic activity, perhaps an associated civilian settlement.
There is, therefore, high potential for the survival of archaeological deposits, including occupation and abandonment debris, artefacts and environmental remains such as charcoal and pollen within, beneath and around the remains of the fort, annexe, Roman road, enclosures, field system and possible temporary camp. The archaeological deposits have the potential to provide information about character, layout and functioning of the fortlet, fort and annexes and possible temporary camp as well as the lives of Roman soldiers while in the field. The field system and enclosures have the potential to tell us about contemporary domestic activity and any associated settlement. Any artefacts and environmental material would enhance understanding of contemporary economy, land-use and environment.
Scientific study of this site would allow us to develop a better understanding of the nature and chronology of the complex, including the date of origin of the differing features, the character of the remains and the development sequence. It has the potential to add to our understanding of the character and nature of Roman military establishments in southern Scotland during the Roman occupation, as well as contemporary domestic activity.
Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)
A network of forts, camps and fortlets were constructed in southern Scotland following the Roman invasions of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Forts were permanent or semi-permanent bases for Roman soldiers controlling an area of territory. They were linked by military roads and played a key role in the military control of Scotland. The fort is positioned alongside the Roman road which formed part of a much longer route connecting the fort at Carlisle (Luguvalio) to the Roman frontier on the Forth-Clyde isthmus via Annandale and is part of a larger complex of Roman military remains in this locality. This includes three Roman camps recorded about 200m southwest (scheduled monument 13803; Place Record UID 67149), 280m southeast (scheduled monument 2746; Place Record UID 67103) and 400m south (scheduled monument 13804; Place Record UID 67155) respectively and a fortlet recorded about 830m southeast (scheduled monument 2613; Place Record UID 67156).
The concentration of Roman remains at and around Birrens and the multi-phased nature of the monument highlights the strategic importance this location. Roman forts were constructed in strategic locations, usually on communication routes and close to river crossings. The fort at Birrens occupies a prominent location, adjacent to the Mein Water and on the main Roman road north to south. It was probably positioned here to control movement along the road and to monitor the river crossing.
Study of this monument in relation to the Roman remains nearby has potential to enhance our knowledge of the use, development, military occupation and strategic importance of this location during the Roman period. Study of the complex in relation to other Roman monuments in southern Scotland has the potential to increase our understanding of the scale of Roman intervention into southern Scotland and its likely impact upon the native population. The monument has the potential to add to our understanding of Roman military strategy. It can tell us about the nature of Roman occupation in southern Scotland and the impact of the Roman presence on the local people and the landscape of Scotland.
The field system and enclosures recorded through cropmarks and geophysical survey may indicate the presence of an associated civilian settlement. Civilian settlements outside forts are known at a small number of sites in Scotland, notably Inveresk (scheduled monument 3285, 3612; Place Record UID 53919, 53714), Croy Hill (scheduled monument 90011, Place Record UID 45875), Carriden (scheduled monument 12653; Place Record UID 49589) and Rough Castle (scheduled monument 90013; Place Record UID 46803). Study of the remains in relation to similar remains elsewhere, therefore, has the potential to enhance our understanding of the nature and scale of civilian settlements in Scotland, the use of the surrounding landscape and the nature of the Roman occupation of Scotland.
Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)
The fort is included in the Antonine Itinerary and named as Blatobulgium. The Antonine Itinerary is a register of the stations and distances along various Roman roads.