CARRAWBURGH (Brocolitia)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Brocolitia (or 'Badger Holes') was not on the original plan for forts on the wall. In fact, Carrawburgh was an afterthought that plugged the large gap between Chesters and Housesteads. Excavation has revealed that when Carrawburgh was built, the vallum and wall were already in place and the vallum had to be filled in order to construct the fort. A civilian settlement grew up around the south and west sides of the fort, in the marshy low ground, where three temples have been located.

Occupation:

there are an unusually large number of units attested by altars at Carrawburgh and we run into a problem in that it is possible that the well-used shrine of Coventina by the fort may have been visited by men serving with units at other forts. Either the thousand-strong mixed infantry and cavalry 1st Cohort of Tungri or 1st Cohort of Aquitani were the first occupants of Carrawburgh during the Hadrianic period from 122 to 138 AD. Both are attested and, since the Tungri are also attested at Vindolanda, there may have been some sharing of the forts by garrisons or the Tungri may have been based at Vindolanda and the inscription located at Carrawburgh made by someone based generally at the other fort and visiting here. After the Hadrianic period, between 138 AD and 213 AD the fort may have been occupied by any of the following units, all of whom are attested on inscriptions at Carrawburgh: 1st Cohort of Cugerni, 1st Cohort of Frisiavones, 2nd Cohort of Nervii, 5th Cohort of Raeti. The thousand-strong 1st Cohort of Batavians are attested at the fort between 213 and 237 on no less than 10 inscriptions. This unit is noted as still in residence at the end of the 4th century in the Notitia Dignitatum, so it can be assumed that they remained the garrison for almost two centuries.

Remains and Visit:

The fort of Brocolitia is still almost completely buried. Though the north wall lies beneath the modern road, the other three walls are clearly visible as mounds surrounding the fort platform, with discernable dips at the gateways. An interval tower, uncovered during excavation in the 19th century can be located with hard work. Of the vicus buildings excavated only one is now clearly open to visitors. The bath house was re-covered, as was the Nymphaeum. The shrine to Coventina is still uncovered but overgrown and almost impossible to locate. Onlt the well-preserved temple of Mithras is visible and in a good state of repair. This itself makes Carrawburgh worth a visit and is the best preserved on the wall and the best visible in Britain.

Images:

East rampart	South rampart	Interval tower	The mithraeum	Mithraic Altars