[NY 78506869] MILECASTLE [G.S.]
Excavated AD 1852. (1)

Milecastle 37, two furlongs beyond Housesteads, was excavated in 1853, 1907 and 1933. It is a 'short-axis' with type I gates, and contains the remains of a small barrack block. A re-used corner of a Hadrianic dedication slab was found in 1853, and two altars inscribed to Cocidius and Jupiter were found at the foot of the precipice, and behind the milecastle respectively. (2)

The remains are correctly described and in good condition, with six courses of masonry standing to a maximum height of 1.3m. Resurveyed at 1/2500. (3)

Additional bibliography. (4)

Scheduled. (5)

The remains of milecastle 37 are well-preserved and comprise the north and south gates as well as the curtain walls. Inside the milecastle are the remains of a stone-built barrack block and excavations also revealed traces of timber buildings. The milecastle measures 17.5m east-west by 15.1m north-south, with walls 2.7m wide. The structure of the north gate and curtain provides much evidence about the structural history of the Roman Wall. The north gate piers were the first part to be built, with broad wall foundations laid each side of the gate and their line extended beyond the side walls of the milecastle, later to be built as narrow wall. The south gate piers were probably built at the same time. The north gate piers are quite monumental and would have been able to support a tower over the gateway. However, apparent shallow foundations on the north side led to partial collapse of the gateway soon after it was built and causing large cracks in the stonework of the passage walls. The entrance was then closed by a wall, but later a smaller gate was opened in the centre of this blocking. Excavations have removed the road surfaces associated with this later gate. (6)

The side and south walls of the milecastle were built to Middle Gauge standard (2.60m - 2.44m). (7)

Repairs were made to the curtain wall immediately to the west of the Milecastle by The National Trust during October 2011. This revealed the wall to be that known as the Clayton Wall - a 19th century reconstruction along the line of Hadrian's Wall - and nothing Roman was immediately apparent otther than degraded mortar. (8)

Excavations in 1988-9 showed three periods of the north gate, having been built, blocked, then partly demolished (9b). The milecastle at NY 7850 6869 has been partly reconstructed and consolidated; it is now in the care of English Heritage. The wall achieves a maximum height of 2.2m internally, and the single barrack block in the east half survives to 1.0m high. There is much excavation spoil on the escarpment north of the milecastle blocking what would have been a difficult but possible descent to the base of the crag. (9a)

The remains of the milecastle are visible on air photographs and were mapped as part of the Hadrian's Wall National Mapping Project. (9c-d)

Depiction from the James Irwin Coates Archive: 'S Gateway. Mile Castle W. of Borcovicus.1882'. (9e)

Located on the English Heritage map of Hadrian's Wall 2010. (9f)

General association with HER 6556 (Turret 37a), HER 6557 (Turret 37b), HER 6564 (Housesteads Roman Fort). (9)