CHESTERHOLM (Vindolanda)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Vindolanda (or 'the white cross) was constructed as one of the Stanegate forts around 85-90 AD. A series of four timber forts were built on the site in succession before the location was entirely abandoned due to the garrisoning of the nearby Hadrian's wall in 125 AD. Only a few decades later however, the site was reoccupied and the fort rebuilt in a different position and in stone. The site of this first stone fort lies beneath the vicus of the later stone fort. In fact, Vindolanda is a complex layer-system of different stages of construction. The second stone fort was constructed just after 200 AD in preparation for the 4th Cohort of Gauls. The vicus here stretches out to the west along the Stanegate. It is extensive and dates from the 2nd/3rd century rebuild of the fort.

Occupation:

Nothing is yet known of the garrison of Vindolanda until the mid 2nd century, when the 1st Cohort of Tungrians were in residence. It is not known whether this was nominally a 500 or 1000 strong at this time, as the Vindolanda tablets give its strength as 750. These were followed in the late 2nd century by the 2nd Cohort of Nervians. By 217 AD this unit had moved to Whitely Castle and been replaced at Vindolanda by the 4th Cohort of Gauls, a 500-strong mixed cavalry and infantry unit, who remained there until the end of Roman occupation.

Remains and Visit:

Vindolanda is one of the most complete examples of a Roman fort and settlement in Britain. From the ticket office, you immediately enter the vicus. There are the remains of a temple and water channels and cisterns immediately. at the near end of the vicus (consisting of long, rectangular buildings butting onto the road) lie a bathhouse and part of the earlier Severan stone fort. This well-preserved military bath house was probably attached to the earlier Severan fort but remained in use until perhaps 367 AD, though open to both military and civilians. The other impressive building here was the commanding officer's house of the Severan fort. Passing through the west gate of the fort, you enter a circuit of walls almost entirely visible (the remaining buried section is currently being opened up as at 2006.) Within the fort lie the headquarters building with a screen from one of the offices still in situ, the commanding officer's house and two of the latrines. Also visible are some curious circular huts that date from the time of the severan fort and underlie the later one. The purpose of these is unknown. To the south of the fort lies a large bath house that predates both of these forts, being pre-Hadrianic (before 117 AD.) Nearby are wooden posts that mark the entrance of one of the wooden forts excavated a few years ago and next to them are the well-known Vindolanda reconstructions. Dating from the early 1970s, there are reconstructions of one of the stone turrets on Hadrian's wall, along with that of a wooden gate house from a turf-wall milecastle and a section of turf wall itself. The wall itself has sunk and become dangerous in the last 30 years and hopefully the trust will carry out repair work soon. Down the steep bank into the burn below lies Chesterholm house which houses the fine museum (one of the best in the North.) The exciting 'Vindolanda tablets' a mass of letters and records from one of the earlier forts at Vindolanda are no longer kept in the museum, having been taken away for more serious study, and only a small display in the museum remains of them. Outside the museum is a garden containing a reconstructed house and nymphaeum. Vindolanda is the MUST SEE site of Hadrians wall.

Images:

The later bath house	An office screen in the HQ building	Commander's house	The east wall
Severan huts underlying the fort wall	The pre-Hadrianic bath house	Reconstructed turf and stone walls	Aerial view & plan