Antonine Wall Exposed
Clearing exposed section of wall base, image copyright RathmellArchaeology Ltd
Staff from Rathmell Archaeology Ltd are undertaking work on a small section of the Antonine Wall in Golden Hill, Duntocher. The work, commissioned by West Dunbartonshire Council, has involved the removal of excess vegetation from the exposed foundations of the wall, and the installation of strips of gravel to define its inner and outer faces. In association with this, a new fence is being erected around the exposed section of the wall. The Antonine Wall was a turf fortification on stone foundations, built by the Romans across what is now the Central Belt of Scotland. Construction began in AD 142 at the order of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and took about 12 years to complete, but was abandoned only eight years after it was completed. As the wall is both a scheduled monument and a World Heritage Site, consent for this work was required in advance from Historic Environment Scotland
Exposed section of wall foundation, defined by gravel edging, within new fence, image copyright RathmellArchaeology Ltd