View source for Ambleside Roman Fort

{{Short description|Roman fort in Cumbria, United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Coord|54.4223|-2.9688|display=title}}
{{Infobox castrum
|image = Ambleside Roman fort - geograph.org.uk - 1761456.jpg
|name = Ambleside Roman Fort
|alt_names = 
|known_as = Galava
|built_during_reign_of = 
|founded = 
|abandoned = 
|attested_by = 
|previous_fortification =

|type =
|province = [[Britannia]]
|nearby_water = [[Windermere]]
|coordinates = {{coord|54.4223|-2.9688|display=inline}}
|map = United Kingdom Cumbria 
|map_caption = 
<small>[[File:Red pog.svg|8px]]&nbsp;Ambleside Roman Fort shown within Cumbria</small>

|place_name = Waterhead
|location_town = Ambleside
|location_county = Cumbria
|location_country = England

|ref:UK:OSNG = NY372034
|coins_found = 
|discovery_year = 
|condition = 
|controlled_by = 
|excavations = 
|archaeologists = [[R. G. Collingwood]], [[Francis J. Haverfield|F. Haverfield]], R. H. Leech
}}
[[File:Ambleside Roman Fort - Project Gutenberg eText 19115.png|thumb|upright=1.39|right|Plan of Ambleside fort, published in 1915. I. Granaries; II. Headquarters; III. Commandant's House; A. Cellar; B. Hearth or Kiln; C. Deposit of corn; D. Ditch perhaps belonging to earliest fort; E. Outer Court of Headquarters; F. Inner Court]]
'''Ambleside Roman Fort''' is the modern name given to the remains of a [[castra|fort]] of the [[Roman province]] of [[Britannia]]. The ruins have been tentatively identified as those of either Galava or Clanoventa, mentioned in the [[Antonine Itinerary]].<ref>Smith 1997, pp. 372, 374, 378.</ref> Dating to the 1st or 2nd century AD,<ref>English Heritage 2004.</ref> its ruins are located on the northern shore of [[Windermere]] at Waterhead, near [[Ambleside]],<ref name="OS2011">Ordnance Survey 2011.</ref> in the English county of [[Cumbria]],<ref>English Heritage undated 1.</ref> within the boundaries of the [[Lake District National Park]].<ref name="OS2011"/>

The fort guarded the [[Roman roads in Britain|Roman road]] from [[Brougham, Cumbria|Brougham]] to the Roman fort of [[Glannoventa]] by the sea at [[Ravenglass]], by way of [[Hardknott Roman Fort]].  There is also assumed to have been a road south to the [[Alavana|fort]] at [[Kendal]]. In 2016 it was reported that [[LIDAR]] technology had revealed a Roman road running north from Ambleside fort to [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]], and another running northwest to [[Papcastle]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 February 2016|title=Lasers reveal 'lost' Roman roads|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lasers-reveal-lost-roman-roads|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-19|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203132915/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lasers-reveal-lost-roman-roads |archive-date=3 February 2016 }}</ref> These roads had been previously described by [[John Horsley (antiquarian)|John Horsley]] in his ''Britannia Romana'' of 1732.

The ruins are a Grade I [[Listed building|listed structure]].<ref name=NHLEAmble>{{NHLE|num=1009348|desc=Ambleside Roman fort, associated vicus and Roman road|access-date=5 February 2018|mode=cs2}}</ref> The site is open to the public, and is owned and managed by the [[National Trust]].<ref>English Heritage undated 2. Taylor 2013, p. 2.</ref> The site is a [[scheduled monument]] with list entry numbers of 1009348 and 1244785 (formerly RSM 13567 and RBS 450573)<ref name=NHLEAmble/><ref name=NHLEBorran>{{NHLE|num=1244785|desc=Borran's Field (Galava Roman Fort)|access-date=5 February 2018|mode=cs2}}</ref>

==Location==
Ambleside Roman Fort is situated approximately {{convert|0.8|km|mi|1}} south of Ambleside town centre, at the north end of Windermere,<ref name="Taylor13p4">Taylor 2013, p. 4.</ref> upon the eastern banks of the [[River Brathay|Brathay]] and [[River Rothay|Rothay rivers]].<ref>Leech 1993, p. 52.</ref> The ruins occupy a field, known as Borrans Field, between the Brathay and Borrans Park.<ref name="Taylor13p4"/>

The remains of the fort are situated upon a sand and gravel platform in Borrans Fields, which gently rises from the lakeshore. The fort stands less than {{convert|2|m|ft}} above the water level of the lake. The fort is bordered to the south and west by marsh, and an outcrop of rock dominates the northern section of Borrans Field.<ref name="Taylor13p4"/> The underlying bedrock is volcanic [[tuff]] of the Lincomb Tarns Tuff Formation, overlain with [[alluvium]]. The soil is freely draining [[loam]].<ref name="Taylor13p5">Taylor 2013, p. 5.</ref>

==Identification==
The name of the fort is assumed to be recorded in Route X of the [[Antonine Itinerary]]. Route X records nine place-names in what is now northwestern England. Rivet and Smith proposed in 1979 that the route ran from the securely identified [[Bremetennacum|Bremetonnaci]] (modern [[Ribchester]]) to [[Ravenglass]] on the Cumbrian coast, and that the Ambleside fort was Galava of the Itinerary; this was generally accepted at the time and was adopted by the [[Ordnance Survey]]. However, the proposed allocation of Roman names in straightforward progression led to conflicts between the etymology of place names in the Itinerary and the local topography.<ref>Smith 1997, p. 372.</ref> Suggestions of alternate routes to conform to local topography suggested by the placenames resulted in marked divergence from the recorded distance between [[Alavana|Alone]] (assigned to Watercrook) and Galava.<ref>Smith 1997, pp. 372-373.</ref> Ian Smith has suggested a resolution to the problem by equating Alone with Lancaster  on etymological grounds,<ref>Smith 1997, p. 376.</ref> and placed Galava on the [[River Bela]], probably at [[Beetham]] in Cumbria. From Beetham, the route would then head inland, placing Clanoventa at Ambleside. Clanoventa is interpreted as meaning "shore market, town, or field" and Smith advocates this name as more appropriate than Galava, given the lakeside location, and Galava's meaning of "a forceful or vigorous stream".<ref>Smith 1997, p. 378.</ref> More recent publications, such as those of archaeologist David Shotter, have tentatively supported the interpretation of Ambleside Roman Fort as Clanoventa.<ref name="Shotter98p10">Shotter 1998, p. 10.</ref>

==Site history==
The earliest, smaller, version of the fort was probably founded around the time of [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola]] (AD 80–5), and it was occupied until at least AD 365. Early investigators suggested that it may have been abandoned after AD 85, and reoccupied in time of [[Hadrian]] (AD 117–138).<ref name="Haverfield1915p12"/> However, more recent analysis of recovered ceramics from outside the fort showed no evidence of a break in occupation between 100 and 160 AD.<ref name="Leech 1993, p. 58">Leech 1993, p. 58.</ref> Excavations of the towers indicate that it was destroyed once or twice in the 2nd or 3rd centuries, but the evidence is unclear.<ref name="Haverfield1915p12"/> The fort appears to have had a large extramural settlement, and was apparently a significant centre for local storage and commerce.<ref name="Shotter98p10"/>

===Modern history===
The site of the fort was donated to the National Trust in 1913, after being purchased with funds raised by donations, a significant portion of which was collected locally.<ref name="Taylor13p5"/> The remains of the fort were excavated in the second decade of the 20th century by historian [[R. G. Collingwood]], who had been involved in the fundraising effort to save the remains from the threat of development.<ref name="Taylor13p5"/> This included investigations of the gates, ramparts, towers, the principal structures in the centre of the fort, and the barracks.<ref name="Haverfield1915p10">Haverfield 1915, p. 10.</ref> During these excavations, the remains of an earlier version of the fort were discovered near the central buildings; these included ditches and walls. The earlier version of the fort appeared to be smaller than the later version.<ref name="Haverfield1915p10"/>

Excavations of the extensive [[Romano-British culture|Romano-British]] settlement outside the fort were undertaken in the 1960s and 1970s, with further investigations undertaken in the 1980s.<ref>Leech 1993, p. 51.</ref> A [[Geophysical survey (archaeology)|geophysical survey]] was undertaken in 2013 by [[Oxford Archaeology#Oxford Archaeology North (OAN)|Oxford Archaeology North]]. This survey recorded the outline of the fort, some of the internal layout, two of the four corner towers, some of the defences and ramparts, and some detail of external defences. The survey also returned evidence suggestive of settlement remains to the north of the fort.<ref name="Taylor13p2">Taylor 2013, p. 2.</ref>

==Site description==
[[File:Ambleside Roman Fort, Cumbria 05.jpg|thumb|right|The regimental strong-room of Building&nbsp;II]]
The fort consisted of a rectangular enclosure measuring approximately {{convert|300|by|420|ft|m|order=flip}}, and covering an area of almost {{Convert|3|acre|ha|order=flip}}.<ref name="Haverfield1915p10"/> The fort had towers at each corner,<ref name="Haverfield1915p11">Haverfield 1915, p. 11.</ref> and was enclosed by a {{convert|4|ft|m|order=flip|adj=on}} thick wall of roughly coursed stone. A clay ramp backed the wall from the inside, and a ditch ran around the outside.<ref>Haverfield 1915, pp. 10-11.</ref>

Access to the fort was given by four gates,<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/> one on each side.<ref name="Haverfield1915p10"/> Three of these gates were narrow single-width entry points, while the east gate was double-width and flanked by guard posts.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/> A road extended from this across Borrans Park.<ref name="Taylor13p2"/>

The principal buildings were laid out in a row across the centre of the fort's interior.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/>

The barracks were at least partially built from wood.<ref name="Haverfield1915p10"/>

'''Building I''' consisted of a pair of granaries, separated by a {{convert|15|ft|m|order=flip|adj=on}} wide space that once contained ovens. The presence of the ovens and remains of cereal indicate that this area was probably used for drying grain. It is unknown whether this area was roofed.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/> The granaries themselves each measured {{convert|66|ft|m|order=flip}} long (east-west) and were of a standard Roman plan, with external buttressing and with windows for ventilation.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/> The granaries were rebuilt on at least one occasion.<ref name="Haverfield1915p12"/>

'''Building II''' was the ''Principia'' or ''[[Praetorium]]'', and was very similar to the example at [[Hardknott Roman Fort|Hardknott]], some {{convert|10|mi|km|order=flip}} to the west. It measured {{convert|68|by|76|ft|m|order=flip}}. The building was entered from the east, and had two courtyards, and three offices that faced onto the inner of these. The central office was the ''[[sacellum]]'', and was used to store the altars and standards of the garrison. It contained a {{convert|6|ft|m|order=flip|adj=on}} square cellar accessed by a stone stairway; this probably was used as a strong-room for regimental funds. It was likely to have been vaulted with wood, rather than stone as at other sites. In the northern office, remains of a grain bin were excavated, identified from woodwork and cereal remains. The inner courtyard contained a detached building on the north side, and the whole courtyard may have been roofed. The remains of a hearth or oven were found within the colonnade around the outer courtyard.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/>

'''Building III''' was the commander's house.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/> The building had two storeys,<ref name="Haverfield1915p12"/> and measured {{convert|70|by|80|ft|m|order=flip}}. It conformed to a standard plan of rooms arranged around a cloister that enclosed a small courtyard.<ref name="Haverfield1915p11"/>

==Associated finds==
A tombstone found at Ambleside bore an inscription that translates as "killed within the fort by the enemy", indicating that at some point the fort was attacked, but that Roman control of the area continued.<ref>Leech 1993, p. 73.</ref>

Finds from the early 20th century excavations included some coins of [[Faustina the Younger|Faustina Iunior]] (161-175), [[Julia Domna|Iulia Domna]] (193-217), and [[Valens]] (364-378). Ceramic finds included [[Samian ware]] dated to approximately AD 80 and later; this included a few examples of German Samian ware. Other finds included a silver spoon, pieces of glass, a number of bronze and iron artefacts, a lead basin, and seven lead sling-bullets.<ref name="Haverfield1915p12">Haverfield 1915, p. 12.</ref>

During investigations associated with a road-building project in 1982, a bracelet of twisted gold wire was recovered from contractors' spoil near the fort.<ref>Leech 1993, p. 66.</ref> A variety of ceramic fragments were recovered, with the majority dating to the Hadrianic and early [[Antoninus Pius|Antonine]] periods.<ref name="Leech 1993, p. 58"/>

From Collingwood's excavations onwards, a number of lead slingshot bullets had been found in the vicinity of the fort. The scatter from the finds is suggestive of the idea that these were not randomly dropped, but may have resulted from a battle. Differences in appearance of the shot backed up when a 2021 project by the Trimontium Trust working with the University of Edinburgh carried out isotopic analysis of the bullets. This supported the idea that the two types of bullet were made from ore from two different sources. At the same time, a non-intrusive metal-detecting survey of the fortress site identified some 800 non-ferrous points, with very marked concentrations of point readings immediately outside the east wall of the fort, with another substantial scatter to the north. Alongside the tombstone inscription, and indications that some towers had been destroyed and rebuilt, the potential that many of these are sling-bullets may indicate that an otherwise unknown battle took place, either against uprising locals, or an insurrection from further north, with Roman firepower being directed to enemies outside the walls.<ref>{{cite journal| journal=Current Archaeology| title=A battle in the mists of the Lake District?| first1=Manuel| last1=Fernández-Götz| first2=John| last2=Reid| first3=Lawrence|last3=Keppie| first4=Ian| last4=Hardwick|pages=52–55| issue=393: December 2002| year=2022| url=https://the-past.com/feature/a-battle-in-the-mists-of-the-lake-district-ambleside-roman-fort-under-attack/}}</ref>

==Access==
The site is open to the public. Finds are on display at [[Armitt Library|The Armitt Museum]] in Ambleside.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
{{refbegin|indent=yes}}
*English Heritage (undated 1) [https://web.archive.org/web/20131019182225/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/ambleside-roman-fort/directions "Directions to Ambleside Roman Fort"]. London, England: English Heritage. Archived from [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/ambleside-roman-fort/directions the original] on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
*English Heritage (undated 2) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150426111809/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ambleside-roman-fort/ "Ambleside Roman Fort"]. London, England: English Heritage. Archived from [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ambleside-roman-fort/ the original] on 2015-04-26. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
*English Heritage (2004) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150426193709/http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ambleside-roman-fort/history/ "History of Ambleside Roman Fort"]. London, England: English Heritage. Archived from [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ambleside-roman-fort/history/] on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
*Haverfield, F. (1915) [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19115/19115-h/19115-h.htm#page10 "Roman Britain in 1914"] British Academy Supplemental Papers '''3'''. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. {{oclc|16977991}}
*Leech, Roger. (1993) "The Roman fort and vicus at Ambleside: archaeological research in 1982." Transactions of the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society '''XCIII''': 51–74. {{ISSN|0309-7986}}. {{oclc|1565578}}
*Ordnance Survey (2011) The English Lakes South-eastern area: Windermere, Kendal and Silverdale (Map) (A2 ed.). 1:25000. Explorer (OL7). Southampton, Hampshire, England: Ordnance Survey. {{ISBN|978-0-319-24024-3}}.
*Shotter, David (1998) [http://www.archaeologyuk.org/lahs/Contrebis/23_9_Shotter.pdf "Roman Names for Roman Sites in North West England"]. Contrebis (Lancaster, England: Lancaster Archaeological and Historical Society) '''XXIII''': 9–10. {{ISSN|0307-5087}}. {{oclc|4447474}} Retrieved 2015-05-05.
*Smith, Ian G. (1997) [https://www.jstor.org/stable/526777 "Some Roman Place-Names in Lancashire and Cumbria"]. ''Britannia'' (Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies) '''28''': 372-383 {{JSTOR|526777}} {{subscription required}}
*Taylor, Karl (June 2013) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150426121725/https://library.thehumanjourney.net/2453/1/L10576_AmblesideRomanFort_FullRep_red.pdf "Ambleside Roman Fort, Ambleside, Lake District: Geophysical Survey Report"]. Lancaster, England: Oxford Archaeology North and The National Trust. Archived from [https://library.thehumanjourney.net/2453/1/L10576_AmblesideRomanFort_FullRep_red.pdf the original] on 2015-04-26. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
{{refend}}

===Further reading===
{{refbegin|indent=yes}}
*Howard-Davis, Chris (November 2012) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150426121147/https://library.thehumanjourney.net/1390/1/L10530_RomanFortAmbleside_FullRep.pdf "The Roman fort at Borrans Road, Ambleside, consolidation works 2011-12: Finds Report"]. Lancaster, England: Oxford Archaeology North and The National Trust. Archived from [https://library.thehumanjourney.net/1390/1/L10530_RomanFortAmbleside_FullRep.pdf the original] on 2015-04-26. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Ambleside Roman Fort}} 
*[http://www.visitcumbria.com/amb/galava-roman-fort/ VisitCumbria.com - Galava Roman Fort]
{{Ancient Rome military}}
{{English heritage cumbria}}
{{Roman visitor sites in the UK}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1st-century establishments in Roman Britain]]
[[Category:Roman sites in Cumbria]]
[[Category:English Heritage sites in Cumbria]]
[[Category:History of Westmorland]]
[[Category:Scheduled monuments in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Grade I listed buildings in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Roman auxiliary forts in England]]
[[Category:Ambleside]]