Hadrian's Wall near Birdoswald, Northumberland, England. Photo courtesy Martin Walker.
Archaeologists from Newcastle University are joining forces with English Heritage to carry out the first systematic excavation of a cemetery on Hadrian’s Wall.
Forming part of the World Heritage Site at Birdoswald Fort, Cumbria, this important Roman cremation cemetery is situated on a cliff edge. It is under serious threat from erosion, which has accelerated over the last few years.
Efforts to preserve this valuable archaeology for the nation are now underway and will continue until October 16. English Heritage voiced concerns about erosion after it acquired the site in 2001 and began investigative work to establish whether it could be prevented.
Professor Haynes, Chair of Archaeology for Newcastle University said: “We know from earlier discoveries in and around the fort site that Birdoswald had a very cosmopolitan population during the Roman period.
“A fragmentary tombstone records a soldier from Africa, while the regiment in garrison was originally raised in or around Transylvania in Romania. We hope to learn more about this exotic mix of soldiers, their families and followers through the excavations.”
A small-scale Channel 4 Time Team evaluation in small trenches at Birdoswald in 1999 discovered two complete cremation urns, evidence that although the site was partially damaged by ploughing in the medieval period, there is still important archaeology hidden beneath the soil.
The findings of this excavation will be valuable in discovering more about Roman cremation cemeteries, practices and rituals and will provide a valuable insight into the lives of the Roman soldiers who once occupied the frontier.
After studying the findings, they will be deposited in Tullie House Museum, Carlisle and any human remains that are uncovered will be reburied.
Tony Wilmot, English Heritage archaeologist and project manager for the Birdoswald excavation said: “Although the loss of archaeology through erosion is regrettable it has given us a unique opportunity to examine a large area of a Roman military cemetery, a type of site which is very little explored and poorly understood.”
Visitors to the site will have the opportunity to see work in progress on site at Birdoswald Fort, which is open every day of the week from 10am-5.30pm.
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