SOUTH SHIELDS (Arbeia)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Nothing is certain of the original name of South Shields. The name Arbeia (the place of the Arabs) seems to have been given in the late 4th century when it was occupied by bargemen from the river Tigris. The name of the station at the time of the Severan campaigns may be Horrea Classis (granaries of the fleet). The physical remains lends this theory great weight, though the name may instead apply to Carpow in Scotland. If this is the case, part of the British fleet may have been based here. Built originally around 129 AD as the easternmost fort of the Hadrianic system, serving as a port on the Tyne and North Sea, the fort housed smaller (quingenary) cavalry units.During the Severan campaigns of 208 AD, the fort underwent massive changes. The garrison was replaced by an infantry unit as the cavalry went north on campaign and the fort became a major supply base, with many of the interior buildings being levelled and replaced with granaries. The fort's south wall was demolished and the ditches in-filled, with the fort's southern sector being extended by almost half the original length. This usage was maintained in a different form until the end of the Roman occupation, when supplies were still being ferried up the Tyne. Finally abandoned around 400 AD, South Shields remains one of the most interesting Roman sites in Britain.

Occupation:

The Sixth Legion were responsible for the construction of the first phase fort of South Shields, though it is very unlikely that they were ever garrisoned there after that. The Hadrianic garrison appears to have been the 1st Ala of Sabinian Pannonians, being replaced in the late 2nd century by the 1st Ala of Asturian Spaniards. When the fort was rebuilt during the Severan period, the cavalry were taken on campaign and were replaced at South Shields by the 5th Cohort of Gauls. Since that cohort were a thousand strong and the fort was not designed for that number, it is very possible that the cohort was split between the forts at South Shields and Cramond, where they were previously based. By the end of the occupation, the fort was home to an irregular unit of barge-men from the river Tigris in the middle east, and it seems likely that it was from this unit that South Shields acquired the name Arbeia.

Remains and Visit:

Arbeia is one of the great surprises of the Newcastle on Tyne area. Though not part of Hadrian's wall, it is an extension of the Hadrianic defensive system, hidden away among housing estates in the roundabout-obsessed South Shields. Entry is free (as at 2006) and is gained via a small but very informative museum. Next to the museum stands the massive reconstruction of the west gate, from which excellent views of the whole site can be had. Much of the fort is still under turf or houses, but three quarters of the outline of walls and gates can be followed. The central headquarters building has been excavated, as have many of the granaries that formed the severan supply base. Excavation and consolidation projects are constant and ongoing, and visiting yearly, there is always something new to see. Current work is being carried out on the small headquarters building from the last phase of occupation and the original south wall, demolished when the fort was extended. Beyond this a barrack block and the commanding officer's house have been fully reconstructed and are magnificent. All in all there is a great deal to see and do at Arbeia, and it's particularly informative for children, with a second building next to the museum called 'Time Quest' where children can learn all about archaeology. Often a reenactment group can be seen at the site, since the Cohors Quinta Gallorum group are based at Arbeia.

Images:

Reconstructed gate	The site	A granary	The principia
Latrines	Corner tower of an earlier fort	Later strong room	Reconstruction of Barracks & C.O's house
Barrack reconstruction	C.O.'s House reconstruction	Aerial view (c/o Google Earth)