The Beacon Roman Fortlet, Martinhoe

Record ID:  100479 / MNA107809
Record type:  Monument
Protected Status: Scheduled Monument
NT Property:  West Exmoor Coast; South West
Civil Parish:  Martinhoe; North Devon; Devon
Grid Reference:  SS 6630 4933
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Summary

A Roman fortlet briefly occupied in the 1st century AD, comprising an inner square enclosure in a subcircular outer enclosure. Excavations in the 1960s revealed the footings of three building ranges and the site of a beacon fire signalling seawards.

Identification Images (0)

Most Recent Monitoring

None Recorded

Monument Types

  • FORTLET (Roman - 55 AD to 75 AD)
  • SIGNAL STATION (Roman - 55 AD to 75 AD)
  • BEACON (Roman - 55 AD to 75 AD)

Description

The inner rampart was of turf, the outer of dump construction made from material from the ditch. The entrance to the inner enclosure was on the seaward side; a metalled causeway led to a double portalled gateway. The outer entrance was on the opposite (south) side, possible remains of signal fires within this enclosure. The inner enclosure contained three timber buildings; a pair of L shaped barracks on the west and east, and a small rectangular building on the south side. Each barrack contained eight cubicles, and one had three extra rooms added sometime later. The smaller building of two rooms had a small domed furnace or forge nearby, and might therefore have been used by a smith or armourer.
Immediately within the intervallum were a number of clay and timber field ovens. [1]
Pottery from the excavations dated occupation to circa 55-75AD, and included samian forms 15117 and 18, one stamped licinus (AD46-65), stamped mortarium and native ware. Also found were two bronze coins of nerd. The fortlet is considered to have been occupied on a semi-permanent basis for about 10-20 years within the period 55-75AD, and to have been associated with the roman conquest of the silures (a south welsh tribe). There would have been sufficient room for a century of soldiers (Fox, 1966).
At Martinhoe, traces of the foundations of timber buildings were identified in excavation, leading the excavators to suggest that this site was in use for a much longer period, possibly replacing the site at old burrow (Griffith). [2]
The fortlet at Martinhoe is visible on aerial photographs as a series of low earthworks comprising the structures described above. There are no traces of any interior structures visible on the photographs. Due to the extent of plough damage the features are best viewed on oblique photography. The site is clearly also at risk from coastal erosion, and it appears from the aerial photographs that the northern bank and ditch of the outer enclosure have already been lost over the cliff edge. [3]

References

  • <1> SZR49036 - National Trust Report: Caroline Thackray. 1984. NT Archaeological Survey, Holdstone Down, Devon.

  • <2> SZB52452 - Pamphlet: The National Trust/Devon Archaeological Society. 1991. Martinhoe Beacon - The Roman Fortlet.

  • <3>XY SNA69541 - Report: Hegarty, C and Toms, K. 2009. Exmoor National Park National Mapping Programme Management and Summary Report. 34615. [Mapped feature: #197169 Martinhoe Beacon Roman fortlet, ]

Designations

Other Statuses and References

  • HER/SMR Reference (External): MDE1020
  • National Monuments Record Reference: SS 64 NE2
  • Pastscape Reference: 34615

Associated Events

  • ENA490 - Field Survey, NT Archaeological Survey, Heddon Estate, Devon
  • ENA10533 - Heritage Assessment, Exmoor National Park National Mapping Programme

Associated Finds

None Recorded

Related Records

None Recorded