Roman Scotland: The Undiscovered Country?
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-05-24

In Britain, is a traditional view defining a Roman frontier as a physical barrier and series of fortifications, something influenced by Hadrian’s Wall. But can a frontier be much more than this, and do our own perceptions of what it should be affect our interpretation? In central Scotland is the Gask Ridge, a chain of forts, fortlets and towers, possibly forming a frontier, while beyond this are several contemporary forts, forming an outer limes and blocking the entrances to the glens or valley’s which run deep into the Highlands. Some archaeologists have interpreted their purpose as restricting the movement of the indigenous population, but this is based on assumptions that the forts block the glen entrances, and until now there has been little modelling of these sites and the surrounding topography. By undertaking GIS modelling, can we identify their purpose – glen blockers or invasion launchpads? Can GIS modelling challenge our perception of frontiers and if these sites were an outer limes of the Gask Ridge frontier?

Andrew Tibbs (Durham University)

TAG Deva 2018
Session: (Not) the Final Frontier: Charting New Courses for Frontiers Theory