Piercebridge Roman Fort, Vicus and Riverworkings.
Preliminary investigations
Click here for a MultiMap aerial photo of the area, together with OS map overlay.
Above is Warburtons map of 1720, which shows the Roman Roads as were then visible. Also shown are the Roman Forts of Piercebridge, Catterick and Bowes. The possible late Iron Age trade route between the lead mining area of Reeth and the river based trade route of the Tees at Piercebridge.
Introduction
This document provides background information for a research feature based on the Roman remains at Piercebridge, this was inspired by a Time Team Friends Forum (Internet Chat) thread regarding Ray Selkirk's theories concerned with Piercebridge and its role in the Roman trading and communications system of England. The information is pretty much unstructured at present. The outcome of the discussions were two site visits, including an opportunity to meet with Ray Selkirk and discuss his theories.
The core of the research is to look into Ray Selkirk's theory about a Roman dam at Piercebridge and the implications on the extent of Roman river management throughout the Roman Empire. During our debates we have also been looking at possible connections between Piercebridge and it's surrounding environment, including the very Late Iron Age hill fort of Stanwick and also the lead mining area of Reeth.
Visit Information
There was a visit to Piercebridge on 21/7/02, and another two weeks later. Attending were GeorgeC, SimonI, Darin and Cath. Some pictures Here.
A further visit, this time to Grinton, North Yorkshire will be held on August 16th 2003.
Agenda - Reeth 2003
10.30 meet up at Grinton Pub
11.00 Trip to earthworks at Grinton and Fremington
12.00 Lunch in pub at Grinton, chance to visit Grinton Church and survey other earthworks.
1.00 - The big walk! Up through Grinton to see three seperate settlement areas, dating from the Iron Age or there abouts to the medievil period. Past two dyke systems then up to inspect the lead mining areas and other pre-historic earthworks.
4.00 Picnic Tea at Maiden Castle, returning via the newly discovered hill fort at How Hill - Low Whita?
6.00 back at Grinton for home or pub!
The big walk will involve several hills varying from steep to never ending! However it is well worth it, the trip may even include a newly discovered Roman road.
Background Research
This research brings together some fascinating and underlooked aspects of Roman and Iron Age archaeology, in this section we have brought together some background information that helps explain how this research project is developing
Theoretical issues
Roman Riverworks - How did the Romans manage the inland waterway's? Was it all left to chance?
Site Specifics
Piercebridge - Roman fort, vicus, river crossing and dam?
Stanwick - Late Iron Age trading post?
Reeth - Ancient mining area?
© Brigantes Nation 2002