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Site Details

Greta Bridge Roman Fort AKA 'Maglona' AKA 'Morbium', Brignall (Greta Bridge)

This is the site of the Roman fort of Maglona. It was defended by a single bank and ditch, except on the south side where a stone-faced rampart stood. Objects found on the site suggest it was occupied from the early 2nd century to the late 4th century. A civilian settlement or vicus stood outside the fort. This is a Scheduled Monument protected by law. (1)

The site of the Roman fort at Greta Bridge stands upon a river terrace overlooking the River Greta. The long axis of the fort is aligned upon this terrace enhancing the defensive qualities of the east rampart. This rampart still survives to a maximum height of 3 metres, with some mutilation, and because of its location immediately adjacent to the river terrace, it has no ditch. The south defences of the fort are the best preserved and comprise the remains of a double ditch system, an earthen rampart, and a central causeway and gateway. The outer ditch, which is the most prominent, is up to 3 metres deep with a low counterscarp bank no more than 0.6 metres high. A medial ditch survives in the east up to 1.8 metres deep, with further traces of the ditch on the west side of the causeway. The causeway is 6 metres wide, and the corresponding gateway 6.5 metres wide. The south rampart stands to a height of 2.4 metres. The west defences are mostly disturbed by an adjacent track which follows a parallel course to the rampart, only the much abraded remains of the outer scarp of the rampart survives standing no more than 1.8 metres high. The north defences are now lost beneath the Morritt Arms Hotel. The interior of the fort exhibits faint traces of ridge-and-furrow which has subsequently been levelled. Two prominent rectangular platforms have been constructed overlying the abraded ridge-and-furrow, one in the north-east corner of the fort, the other in the south-east corner, which appear to be the remains of tees from a disused golf course. No wall faces are visible among the defences of the fort. To the immediate south of the fort, and also on the river terrace, lies a field of ridge-and-furrow cultivation. Find evidence suggests it was occupied from the early 2nd to the late 4th century AD. (16)

D1927
Roman (43 to 410)
Scheduled Monument
  • National Heritage List for England Entry Number: 1019074
RCHME: Durham SAMs Project 1991; Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England
Roman Military North Project 1971 - 1985; Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England


Source of Reference

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Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.

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