What the Romans did for Angus

Published on 28/08/2012 00:00

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have started the first survey of world’s most northerly Roman fort, in Angus, in a bid to uncover its secrets.

The fort, at Stracathro, near Brechin, was at the end of the Gask Ridge, a line of forts and watchtowers stretching from Doune, near Stirling.

The system is thought to be the earliest Roman land frontier in the world, built around AD70 – 50 years before Hadrian’s Wall.

Stracathro was discovered from aerial photographs in 1957, which showed evidence of defensive towers and several protective ditches.

A bronze coin and a shard of pottery were found but very little more is known about the site.

The Gask is seen as particularly important, however, as 
archaeologists and historians can only judge how Roman frontiers changed and developed over time by first understanding the prototype.

Archaeologists Dr David Woolliscroft and Dr Birgitta Hoffmann, directors of The Roman Gask Project based at the University of Liverpool, are now undertaking the first extensive survey of the fort.

Dr Hoffmann, co-director of The Roman Gask Project said: “We’re looking forward to uncovering more of the story of the Gask frontier.”