| Milefortlet 11 | |
|---|---|
 The Solway Coast Discovery Centre is thought to be the site of Milefortlet 11 | |
| Type | Milecastle |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 54°52′19″N3°23′09″W / 54.871814°N 3.385852°W /54.871814; -3.385852 |
| County | Cumbria |
| Country | England |
| Reference | |
| UK-OSNG reference | NY11165388 |
Milefortlet 11 was aMilefortlet of theRoman Cumbrian Coast defences. These milefortlets and intervening stone watchtowers extended from the western end ofHadrian's Wall, along theCumbrian coast and were linked by a wooden palisade. They were contemporary with defensive structures onHadrian's Wall. Milefortlet 11 has never been accurately located on the ground although other Roman remains have been found in the area.
Milefortlet 11 is thought to lie at the north end of the village ofSilloth. It has never been located by archaeologists, but its approximate position has calculated from the known positions of other fortlets along theCumbrian coast.[1] It is thought to lie near the former school (now the Solway Coast Discovery Centre).[1]
Around 200 metres northeast of the site is the buried remains of a 250-metre length of the linear defensive system forming part of the Roman frontier defences.[2]Aerial photographs show the cropmarks of two ditches running parallel to the coast.[2] Limited excavation of the ditches suggest that the ditches were designed to hold a timber palisade fence.[2] ARoman road runs behind the palisade ditches for some distance then turns into a three-sided enclosure which has been interpreted as a possible Roman camp.[2] The interpretation of this enclosure as a Roman camp has however, been dismissed by some archaeologists.[3] Some ancient field boundaries can also be seen on aerial photographs.[4]
Around 500 metres to the east of the site is a Roman enclosed settlement and field system.[5] It was excavated in 1974/5 and 1977, and was found to date to the 3rd century.[5] The site consisted of a sub-rectangular enclosure which was revetted and had a palisade on its bank; it contained a round house, a rectangular structure, and possible stock pens.[5]
Each milefortlet had two associated towers, similar in construction to the turrets built along Hadrian's Wall. These towers were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of aRoman mile to the west of the Milefortlet, and would probably have been manned by part of the nearest Milefortlet's garrison. The towers associated withMilefortlet 11 are known asTower 11A (grid referenceNY10915343) andTower 11B (grid referenceNY10675300).[6][7] The locations of both towers are uncertain, and their positions have been estimated by measurement to adjoining Roman frontier works. The site of Tower 11A is under buildings in Silloth; the site of Tower 11B is now underBlitterlees Golf Course.[6][7]
Forts and structures ofHadrian's Wall | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wall Forts (East to West) |   | |
| Outpost Forts | ||
| Stanegate Forts |
| |
| Supply Forts | ||
| Cumbrian Coast Forts (North to South) |
| |
| Milecastles | ||
| Milefortlets | ||
| Other structures on Hadrian's Wall | ||
| Regular and linear features | ||
