Cropmark of Apperley Dene Roman Fortlet. Copyright Reserved: Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne.

[NZ 05555802] Roman fortlet (GSC). (1)

A 4th century Roman fortlet excavated by Hildyard in 1951. It was enclosed by a double ditch and had a causewayed entrance in the north east. The inner ditch enclosed a rectangular area 116ft x 108ft the north-south axis being the slightly longer, corners were rounded. There were no signs of either wall or rampart, but an internal foundation trench was found, irregular in plan, measuring 60ft x 60ft x 58ft now a confused jumble of stone. Numerous pot sherds indicated occupation positively throughout the 4th century. The site is incorrectly shown by the Ordnance Survey there being a nearly 30 degree western inclination proved by excavation. Horsley (1732) mentions a tumulus near this site, but it seems to have disappeared. (2-3)

The tumulus has been removed, but the fort is still traceable. The spot is called Castle Hill. (4)

The fortlet is situated on the crest of a ridge a little above the 400ft contour with a good view in all directions except the west where the slightly higher summit of the ridge intervenes. Although now under pasture the earthwork is badly mutilated by the plough. The enclosed area is visible as a sub-rectangular platform with a wide ditch enclosing the southern half. There is no visible trace of the second ditch or of the north east entrance or any internal features. The fortlet commands the nearby Dere Street at a point where it makes a sharp turn. The nearest water supply is a small stream 200m to the south east. There was no sign of a tumulus. Surveyed at 1/2500. (5)

Condition unchanged. Published survey correct. (6) (5-7)

NZ 056581 Alleged "Roman Fortlet" at Apperley Dene was re-excavated by
K Greene and S Speak in 1974-75 who revealed two structural phases.
Phase I was rectilinear farmstead consisting of a double-ditched
enclosure with timber gateway through its bank and at least one
internal round timber house. Pottery and structural indications
confirmed a short occupations for this phase entirely within the 2nd
century A.D.
Phase II was a re-occupation of the site in the 3rd century A.D. when
a new ditch was constructed inside the "main" ditch of Phase I and
internal stone structures were built. Thorough demolition associated
with burning and freshly broken pottery occurred in the mid-4th century A.D. and it seemed reasonable to assume that Phase II represented a stone-built native settlement although a military function could not be entirely ruled out. The site was not re-occupied after circa 370 A.D. A small collection of late Mesolithic and early Neolithic flints were also discovered on the site. (8)

Area under pasture but outline (though much reduced) is still evident
otherwise as described by authorities 4 5 and 6.
Published Survey (1:2500) Correct. (9)

One burin found at Apperley Dene, NZ 056581. In Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle. (10)

Reinterpretation considering following points:
i) no native pottery found;
ii) greater quantity of Roman pottery recovered than is normally found on native sites;
iii) large amount of Roman tile recovered - unknown on other native settlements;
iv) no querns found - would have been expected if it was a native site.
Suggested the site represents a villa, or at least a highly Romanised farmstead. Possibly started as a native settlement and later converted to a villa. (11)