Arbeia guarded the main sea route to hadrians wall. Visitors to arbeia roman fort at south shields can now wander around a fullsize reconstruction of one. It was a key garrison and military supply base to other forts along the wall and is an important part of the history of roman britain. Arbeia, a roman fort in an urban landscape, believed to be named the place of. She wears a mural crown a crown in the shape of battlements that identifies her as a protective goddess. Read the following information about a roman fort, and then answer the questions on the opposite page. The second adventure took us to south sheilds, where we visited arbeia roman fort. They were moved elsewhere by the end of the second century ad and later inhabitants at arbeia included units from what is now spain and later from gaul france. Arbeia roman fort and museum guidebook 9780905974804 a. It was first excavated in the 1870s and all modern buildings on the site were cleared in the 1970s. Ad 350 arbeia roman fort at south shields current archaeology. On the north east coast of england lies arbeia, the roman fort at south shields.
South shields roman fort, known to the romans as arbeia, was an important logistical depot that sustained the troops garrisoning hadrians wall and supported the military campaigns of emperor septimius severus during his invasion of scotland in the third century a. Today, the excavated remains, stunning reconstructions of original build. In english, the terms roman fort, roman camp and roman fortress are commonly used for castrum. At arbeia, modern excavations of the interior of the fort have taken place but considerable research has also been undertaken in the civilian settlement vicus.
Arbeia, south shields roman fort a brief history youtube. Roman fort and museum, south shields by arbeia society isbn. Built around ad160, arbeia roman fort once played an essential role in the mighty frontier system of hadrians wall. Segedunum was a roman fort at modernday wallsend, tyne and wear, england, uk. One of many wall forts along the wall, arbeia roman fort also acted as a military supply base. Arbeia roman fort was built in around 160 ad and guarded hadrians wall and the entrance to the river tyne. In the roman republic and the roman empire, the latin word castrum plural castra was a building, or plot of land, used as a fortified military camp. There is a perimeter fence surrounding arbeia, south shields roman fort with the main gates situated half way along the baring street side. Contact arbeia south shields roman fort baring street south shields ne33 2bb 0191 277 1410.
It lies just beyond the end of hadrians wall, and served as the supply depot to the wall. The site includes a reconstructed gatehouse as well as a barrack block and the commanding officers house. Access information arbeia south shields roman fort. Standing above the entrance to the river tyne, arbeia south shields roman fort guarded the main sea route to hadrians wall. Discover what life was like at one of britains most important archaeological sites with a visit to arbeia roman fort in south shields. It was a huge supply base for the roman army, home to 600 roman troops and is said to be the birth place of the northumbrian king oswin. The approach to the main entrance to the museum building entrance is flat tarmac and concrete. Arbeia roman fort historical attraction in newcastlegateshead. All are pieces of the historical jigsaw that would, if possible to.
Arbeia roman fort and museum historic site in south. Its hosted dramatic tales of murder, fire, and holds the key to ancient love stories. Awardwinning 4star silver guest house, 5 minutes walk to beaches and parks, forest guest house offers cooked breakfasts and inviting bedrooms with free wifi in the center of south shields. This short, but excellent guidebook about the place was published by the. The roman fort at arbeia once guarded the entrance to the river tyne and served as a supply centre, receiving goods from across the north sea and along the east coast to supply the. This photo shows the rows of granaries in which supplies were stored, with the recently reconstructed gatehouse beyond. Through the course of history of arbeia, the fort has had several guises, from a busy. Arbeia was founded by hadrian around 128 ad and its earliest inhabitants were a roman cavalry unit who were natives of what is now hungary. Take a tour of the arbeia, south shields roman fort, united kingdom to visit historic site in south shields.
The gate was reconstructed based on research from excavations on site and stands where the original gate was located. Arbeia, south shields roman fort is part of the unesco world heritage site and the finest reconstru. The sheer size of it may come as a shock, as may the beds and couches, the kitchen area with builtin latrine, and the childrens toys. In roman times south shields was called arbeia and was a fort of some considerable importance as not only did it guard the entrance to the tyne but it protected a small roman port at the mouth of the river. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The roman fort in south shields is located on the south side of the river tyne, close to the mouth of the river, ca. It was originally built in the 2nd century ad and, with variations and rebuilding the fort was destroyed in the late 3rdearly 4th century, for example. Arbeia roman fort stood guard on the south bank of the tyne, guarding the sea route to hadrians wall. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. South shields roman fort arbeia north east england. A volunteer with wallquest, a community archaeology project excavating arbeia roman fort in south shields at the easternmost end of hadrians wall has discovered a carved stone head of a goddess. South shields roman fort, known to the romans as arbeia, was an important logistical depot. The site now boasts several reconstructed roman buildings including a gatehouse and commanding officers house. Theres a good mix of hotels that are within 2 miles 3 kilometers of arbeia roman fort, but its still worthwhile to book ahead of time. A comprehensive guide to arbeia the roman fort museum at south shields a. There is a short flight of steps leading to the building as well as an accessible ramp to the right.
A short time lapse of the west gate at arbeia roman fort and museum in south shields. Arbeia means fort of the arab troops, referring to the fact that part of its garrison at one time was a squadron of syrian boatmen from the tigris. Arbeia, a roman fort in an urban landscape, believed to be named the place of the arabs, because the last known unit stationed there was a company of bargemen from what is now iraq. It lies just beyond the end of hadrians wall, and served as the. From 2012 to 2016 there will be a community excavation at arbeia in the civilian settlement outside the fort. When whats left of most roman forts are just a few stones in the ground, how do we know what they looked like, how they worked.
About arbeia, south shields roman fort arbeia south. Selling roman games, mugs, kids swords, stockist to arbeia society books and other local history books. Lots of travelers enjoy the little haven hotel, best western the sea hotel and forest guest house, 0. Today, arbeia roman fort has been partially reconstructed, allowing visitors to really experience how this mighty fortification would once.
Roman forts building stories from stones featuring. It is a growing directory over 750 entries as of february 2020. Built around ad160, arbeia roman fort once guarded the entrance to the river tyne. It was in use as a garrison for approximately 300 years, from around 122 ad, almost up to 400ad today, segedunum is the most thoroughly excavated fort along hadrians wall. South shields roman fort arbeia north east england castles. Arbeia was built to defend the main sea route to hadrians wall. Watch clip of arbeia roman fort from bbc1 documentary. It is managed by tyne and wear museums as arbeia roman fort and museum. It was first excavated in the 1870s and the buildings you see today are a reconstruction.
The north easts proud roman history is in the spotlight after a bbc series paid a visit to south shields arbeia roman fort and its treasures had a starring role in this weeks tv documentary. The small figure is just over three inches high and is finely carved. History in my hands arbeia, south shields roman fort. This has given us a broad and balanced picture of life at arbeia during the roman occupation of the site. South shields is located near the mouth of the river tyne at its confluence with the north sea. South shields roman fort the arbeia of the romans is the site of a roman fort and civilian settlement and seaport of the first to fourth centuries ad. Arbeia south shields roman fort baring street south shields ne33 2bb 0191 277 1410. The ruins were rediscovered and excavated in the 1870s, and several reconstructed buildings now show what it would have been like when the romans were still around. This video runs you through the basic parts found in. Arbeia, south shields roman fort museum in south shields. Arbeia roman fort bills itself as the most extensively reconstructed roman fort in the country. The fort is situated in what is now a residential area, with a primary school opposite.
Head of goddess found at arbeia roman fort the history blog. Arbeia, south shields roman fort visit hadrians wall. Arbeia is the remains of a large roman fort in south shields. Based four miles to the east of the walls end, it guarded the entrance to the river tyne and was the military supply base for the 17 forts along the wall. Arbeia roman fort at south shields current archaeology. However, scholastic convention tends toward the use of the words fort, camp, marching camp and fortress as a translation of castrum. Visit arbeia, south shields roman fort on your trip to. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. If you time your visit carefully you may also be able to see reenactments of roman and military history.
Published on jun 4, 2018 a short film outlining the history of arbeia, south shields roman fort, featuring volunteers whove made exciting archaeological finds. Through the course of history arbeia has had several guises. Standing above the entrance to the river tyne, arbeia roman fort guarded the main sea route to hadrians wall. Arbeia, south shields roman fort has stunning fullscale reconstructions of original buildings including the commanders house, a barrack block and a west gate providing a unique and inspiring insight into roman military life.
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