The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Gelligaer, First Roman Fort

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01132m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Gelligaer
Unitary authority : Caerphilly
NGR : ST13319723
Site Type (preferred type first) : Roman Fort
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
A fort with earth and timber defences, and two main phases of internal timber buildings. to the north of the fort a possible mansio and bathhouse has been detected with geophysical survey.

Description :
During the period c AD 74-8 a fort with earth and timber defences was established at Gelligaer; this installation was not a temporary or construction camp, as originally assumed (contra Ward 1903 etc.). There were two main phases of internal timber buildings within the defences, the second of which probably represents a refurbishment of old buildings rather than a reorganisation of the fort in response to a particular event (Pearson 2002, 19-22).
The fort had double ditches around most of the circuit. The SW and SE gates have been located; the SE lying on the road also forming the Via Principalis of the fort. Buildings were identified to the north of the fort. Platform A had a less clear result from geophysical survey, although 3 rooms may be detected within a rectangular block. A ditch is also suspected due to magnetic anomalies. The size of the structure suggests a bathhouse.
Platform B had a southern structure possibly having been made of wood. At the western part of the range there appears to be a narrow corridor and at either end are NE projecting wings enclosing a courtyard.
(Young 2003)

Sources :
Pearson, A , 2002 , Roman roads and vici in Southeast Wales. GGAT report no. 2002/061
RPS Planning , 2015 , Groesfaen Farm, Deri, Bargoed: Archaeological & Cultural Heritage Statement
ST. Joseph J.K.S. , 1961 , Air Reconnaissance in Britain, 1958–1960 , Journal of Roman Studies : 51 : 119-135
Ward, J , The Roman fort at Gellygaer
Wilkins C. , 1900 , Gelligaer , Archaeologica Cambrensis : 55 : 70-73
Young, Dr. T. P. , 2003 , Geophysical Survey of the Flavian fort & adjacent area, Gelligaer
03/MM Record Card/OS//1974/ST 19 NW 11/;
01/MM Record Card/OS//1956/ST 19 NW 11.5/;
02/PM List/RCAHM//1976/Glam Invent/Vol2 Item No737D;
p88
05/PM Desc Text//Nash-Williams VE/1969/The Roman Frontier in Wales/
p8;
07/PH Desc Text//James CH/1898/Trans Cardiff Natur Soc/Vol32 p80-85;
06/PM Desc Text//Brewer RJ//Gelligaer Roman Fort/(GGAT) pp 7-8;
08/PM Desc Text//James CH/1900/Archaeol Cambrensis/Vol17 5thSer No66
04/PM Excav Report/CBA/Jarret MG/1963/Archaeol in Wales/No3 ItemNo26

Events :
E004850 : Flavian Fort (year : 2003)
E007782 : Land Northwest of Groes-faen Farm (year : 2015)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00661m
Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT) 07952M, 07953M
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00898.1s

Compiled date : 01-12-1980


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