Description

The monument is the remains of a Roman camp dating to the 1st or 2nd centuries AD and recorded as cropmarks on aerial photographs. The camp measures about 296m from west-northwest to east-southeast by at least 127m, though the north side has not been recorded. An entrance gap is visible close to the centre of the south side. The monument lies on low lying ground on the south bank of the Mein Water, at about 60m above sea level.

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 and field gates to allow for their maintenance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

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 the remains of a Roman camp. 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.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 potential for the preservation of buried features and deposits relating to the camp, its use and abandonment.d.   The monument is a particularly good example of a Roman camp and is therefore an important representative of this monument typee.   The monument has research potential which could significantly contribute to our understanding or appreciation of the past. It can tell us about the character, layout and nature of Roman camps as well as adding to our understanding of the lives of Roman soldiers on campaign. 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.f.   The monument makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the historic landscape as part of a concentration of Roman remains around this location and as part of the wider Roman strategic network of military installations. It has the potential to add to our understanding of the strategic importance of this area and of Roman military occupation during the period of the Roman incursions.

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 Roman camp that has been recorded as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs. Although the northern section of the camp has not been recorded, the overall plan of the camp is clear and understandable, and the cropmarks indicate that the ditch of the camp survives below the topsoil. Roman camps provided temporary accommodation for Roman soldiers on campaign. They comprised an open area in which soldiers pitched their tents in regularly arranged rows, enclosed within a rampart and ditch. Excavations of camps elsewhere have revealed the remains of Roman field ovens, rubbish pits and artefacts within the area enclosed and environmental remains within the ditch.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 the ditch and the interior of the camp. The archaeological deposits have the potential to provide information about character, layout and functioning of the camp, as well as the lives of Roman soldiers on campaign. 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 camp, including its date of construction and abandonment. It has the potential to add to our understanding of the character and nature of Roman military establishments in southern Scotland during the Roman period of occupation.

Contextual characteristics (how a site or place relates to its surroundings and/or to our existing knowledge of the past)A network of camps, forts and fortlets were constructed in southern Scotland following the Roman invasions of the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. This camp forms part of this wider network. It 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 complex of Roman military remains in this locality. This includes the Roman fort at Birrens with its annexes and associated remains (SM666; Place Record UID 67099) about 100m to the north, two Roman camps, likely of differing dates, recorded about 350m northeast (SM2746; Place Record UID 67103) and 120m southeast (SM13804; Place Record UID 67155) and a Roman fortlet about 580m southeast (SM2613; Place Record UID 67156).The concentration of Roman remains around this location highlights the strategic importance this location. 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 camp 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.

Associative characteristics (how a site or place relates to people, events, and/or historic and social movements)

There are no known associative characteristics that contribute to this site's national importance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

Historic Environment Scotland https://www.trove.scot/reference number Place Record UID 67149 (accessed on 26/03/2025).

Local Authority HER/SMR Reference MDG7479 (accessed on 03/04/2025).

Jones, R. H. (2011) Roman Camps in Scotland. Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Edinburgh.

RCAHMS (1997) Eastern Dumfriesshire: an archaeological landscape. Edinburgh.

ScARF (2012) Hunter, F. and Carruthers, M. (eds) Scotland: the Roman presence Scottish Archaeological Research Framework: Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Available online at https://scarf.scot/national/roman-scotland-panel-report/

trove.scot

https://www.trove.scot/place/67149/

HER/SMR Reference

MDG7479

Source: Historic Environment Scotland