Notes and Queries - Roman Forts

One of the advantages of publishing research on a website, is that you can respond to questions and inquiries from readers. Tim Holland recently sent me a very detailed piece concerning his observations about the layout of Roman forts, complete with illustrations [which I have spoiled by resizing]. He has kindly agreed to let me feature his enquiry.

Theoretical Structural Archaeology is a way of thinking about building foundations from the perspective of the architects and builders that caused them to be created, and while I cannot do full justice to the questions Tim raises, I will attempt set them in this context.

27. A trip to the farm

While archaeologists are all too familiar with dirt, many don’t know much about muck, so it’s time for a trip to the farmyard.

I know it’s full of potentially scary animals, smelly, muddy, and you probably forgot your wellies, but it’s one of the best places to look at, and think about, built environments.

Traditionally, even modest domestic houses were usually part of their own built environment, with outside toilets, fuels stores, wash houses, kennels, sheds, stables, and other outbuildings that grade imperceptibly into genuine farm buildings. Even today, those people who still live in a house, on a piece of land, may have vital outbuildings such as garages, workshops, and garden sheds, which though small, are of immense significance - particularly to the ritual life of the male.
These are some of the reasons why archaeologists, particularly those trying to understand ancient built environments, should take a good look at farmyards: