quote:Originally posted by Jenni: You're missing my point, Alan. They knew about the Drumlanrig site - what it was, what was where - before they ever started digging.
Ahh, I was under the impression the site had never been excavated before. Unless they were going by documentary evidence alone, if so how reliable was this evidence ? I shall have to watch the beginning again.
The site was identified as a Roman fort as a result of aerial photography in 1984. TT were the first to excavate it.
Co has asked for a link to be posted. I'll give it a go, but if it doesn't work (and I shouldn't be at all surprised!) would somebody else please pop over to the Other Place, find it, and do a better job! Thanks.
quote:Originally posted by roger davies: The site was identified as a Roman fort as a result of aerial photography in 1984. TT were the first to excavate it.
Yes I remember that, but didn't realize it was possible to accurately identify a site such as this, purely by aerial photography.
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Aerial survey has revealed the parch-marks of a Roman fort c.350m SE of Drumlanrig Castle on the right bank of the Nith. Over the ramparts it measures c.150m N-S by 100m (an area of 1.5ha = 3.7 acres) and is still traceable on the surface; a complex ditch-system, incorporating annexes on the S and E, was recorded. The street-pattern suggests that the barracks may not have been of standard length and that part of the garrison may have been outposted as at Crawford (NS92SE 2). The position of the fort shows that the Roman road crossed the river in this sector. A 2nd-century bronze paters recorded from Auchenskeoch (NS80SW 4) probably originated from this fort. (Information from G S Maxwell.) S S Frere 1985; The Scotsman 22 July 1985
Presumed Flavian date on account of 'parrot's beak' ditch terminal at S entrance. G S Maxwell and D R Wilson 1987.
Bruce, 'my' Porteus is Rev. T C Porteus incumbent at Standish Lancs.He wrote the definative history of Standish with Langtree. I have a copy of the book.
As the programme probably demonstrated (I only saw the last 15 mins or so) there are Roman practice camps associated with the fort also discernible from the air.
Mixed feelings on this one, I would have liked to have seen more on the geo-phiz anomoly of the clay lined pit as they said it was in an unusual place, and they didn't seem to know what it might have been. I'm guessing it would have taken too much time/resources to dig but it seemed one of the more interesting aspects of the site.
quote:Originally posted by roger davies: Archaeology Notes NX89NE 61 854 989.
Aerial survey has revealed the parch-marks of a Roman fort c.350m SE of Drumlanrig Castle on the right bank of the Nith. Over the ramparts it measures c.150m N-S by 100m (an area of 1.5ha = 3.7 acres) and is still traceable on the surface; a complex ditch-system, incorporating annexes on the S and E, was recorded. The street-pattern suggests that the barracks may not have been of standard length and that part of the garrison may have been outposted as at Crawford (NS92SE 2). The position of the fort shows that the Roman road crossed the river in this sector. A 2nd-century bronze paters recorded from Auchenskeoch (NS80SW 4) probably originated from this fort. (Information from G S Maxwell.) S S Frere 1985; The Scotsman 22 July 1985
Presumed Flavian date on account of 'parrot's beak' ditch terminal at S entrance. G S Maxwell and D R Wilson 1987.
Fine and dandy
the date was wrong mind - The Time Team work has shown that it was Antonine rather than Flavian on the basis of the finds. So much for the parrots beak ditch!
Nice to hear you being so authoritative Bobo. Just goes to show you're not just a pretty face. Tell me, did you have to do the same level of research for your work on the Normandy programme?
Thanks, Apathamaus - I think that'll be Rev Thomas Cruddas Porteus, also author of a biography of Captain Myles Standish, who sailed to New England aboard the 'Mayflower'.
quote:Originally posted by gehenna: Nice to hear you being so authoritative Bobo. Tell me, did you have to do the same level of research for your work on the Normandy programme?
I would have thought that was obvious! months of preparatory research...
<Roger Steer>
Posted
What was that awful music in the background? The old music may be a bit dated, but never as trite as this.
Just to go back to something that was said earlier about Southern Scotland being BEYOND Ireland and therefore used as a port for Spain. Sorry, but Southern Scotland ain't beyond anything - which is why Stranraer is a major ferry port for Northern Ireland - it would be a long way around the top of Ireland to start heading south towards Spain. Also, sonebody said something about Border Plains? Plains? The Borders and Dumfries and Galloway (Drumlanrig is in what was Dumfriesshire) are full of valleys and the Southern Uplands - rolling hills which (I suspect)would have been heavily wooded in Roman times making it difficult for the Romans to control the local tribes.
quote:Originally posted by Hoggy: Southern Uplands - rolling hills which (I suspect)would have been heavily wooded in Roman times making it difficult for the Romans to control the local tribes.
This crossed my mind when Guy insisted that the Romans would have used cavalry. Is there any way of finding the extent of forestation in the area?
Then Guy mentions that the locals used guerrilla tactics (when they weren't selling them rough pottery) against the Romans. He also suggests that the locals wouldn't attack the fort in open warfare. Therefore this suggests that the Romans themselves burnt the fort in retreat from the area. This is a classic military strategy down the ages, used so the advancing enemy can't use your own assets against you while you are retreating.
Enjoyed the programme, although I agree with Lesley from pg1, no new knowledge seemed to be discovered from the dig. Some pottery, which was expected, but nothing to prove geophizz wrong!
quote:Originally posted by Hoggy: Southern Uplands - rolling hills which (I suspect)would have been heavily wooded in Roman times making it difficult for the Romans to control the local tribes.
This crossed my mind when Guy insisted that the Romans would have used cavalry. Is there any way of finding the extent of forestation in the area?
Then Guy mentions that the locals used guerrilla tactics (when they weren't selling them rough pottery) against the Romans. He also suggests that the locals wouldn't attack the fort in open warfare. Therefore this suggests that the Romans themselves burnt the fort in retreat from the area. This is a classic military strategy down the ages, used so the advancing enemy can't use your own assets against you while you are retreating.
Enjoyed the programme, although I agree with Lesley from pg1, no new knowledge seemed to be discovered from the dig. Some pottery, which was expected, but nothing to prove geophizz wrong!
The main thing that the dig did was establish an Antonine date for the fort
As far as 'rolling plains' are concerned, has anybody started a journey to Inverness on the A9 at its junction with the M8/80(?). There is a service station there with a balcony near the rear. The view from this balcony is breathtaking to say the least. Mile upon mile of near flat countryside with but 2 'rocks' protruding. Atop one stands Stirling Castle and on the other the Wallace Memorial.
In fact I wish that TT would release a CD of the music & all the incidental music from the show. There would be so much good music to pick from all the past series.
Good music is never dated, it just turn to a classic.
The main thing that the dig did was establish an Antonine date for the fort
Thanks, gehenna
Eddie, someone once posted a link to some TT incidental music. But I can't remember who it was, sorry. If they are still on the forum and read this, perhaps they could post the link again?
quote:Originally posted by gehenna: The main thing that the dig did was establish an Antonine date for the fort
And also establish it was a fort, to confirm what the crop marks suggested ? The term "probable" was used a number of times at the beginning of the programme, in relation to what was thought to be there.
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quote:Originally posted by gehenna: The main thing that the dig did was establish an Antonine date for the fort
And also establish it was a fort, to confirm what the crop marks suggested ? The term "probable" was used a number of times at the beginning of the programme, in relation to what was thought to be there.
woman's voice amplified and distorted by unusual atsmopheric conditions 
