Milecastle 4 | |
Milecastle 4
Milecastle 4 shown within Tyne and Wear |
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OS grid reference | NZ24526401 |
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List of places: UK • England • Tyne and Wear |
This article is part of the series on: Military of ancient Rome (portal) 753 BC – AD 476 |
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Frontiers and fortifications (limes, Hadrian's Wall) |
Milecastle 4 (Westgate Road) was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist beneath the Newcastle Arts Centre at 67-75 Westgate Road. This position is some way away from its predicted position[1] which is at these coordinates: The actual location is between the predicted positions of Turrets 4A and 4B, which has led to suggestions that the numbering and positioning of milecastles and turrets on this part of Hadrian's Wall should be reconsidered.[2]
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Milecastle 4 was a long-axis milecastle of unknown gateway type. Such milecastles were thought to have been constructed by either the legio VI Victrix who were based in Eboracum (York), or the Legio XX Valeria Victrix who were based in Deva Victrix (Chester).[3]
The milecastle was 14.9 metres (49 ft) wide and probably 18 metres (20 yd) long. The excavated south wall was 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) wide and bonded with clay. Its foundations were 2.9 metres (9.5 ft) wide (as were those of the east wall and formed of flags (flag foundations are normally associated with broad wall milecastles.) There was evidence to suggest that the southern gateway had been blocked at some time.[1]
Each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milecastle, and would probably have been manned by part of the milecastle's garrison. The turrets associated with Milecastle 4 are known as Turret 4A and Turret 4B, however the established milecastle position is between the supposed turret positions.
Nothing is known of Turret 4A. Due to the discovery of Milecastle 4 further west than the measured position of this turret, there is no monument record or assumed position.
Nothing is known of Turret 4B. Due to the discovery of Milecastle 4 further west than the measured position of Turret 4A, it is extremel;y unlikely that the positions assumed by Birley[5] were accurate. However, a monument record exists for that location. [6]
Location:
Monument | Monument Number | National Monuments Record Number |
Milecastle 4 | 623285 | NZ 26 SW 118 |
Original Milecastle Site | 24917 | NZ 26 SE 18 |
Turret 4A | n/a | n/a |
Turret 4B | 25023 | NZ 26 SW 2 |
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