Massive Roman Granaries & Superb Roman Road Discovered At Vindolanda Fort

Exciting excavations at Roman Vindolanda are revealing two massive granaries and a magnificent flagged roadway inside the Fort.

"The masonry of these granaries is far superior to that of the nearby commanding officer's residence, and although some of the walls have suffered from stone robbing, others are standing to a height of around 1.5 metres (5 feet in old currency). Samples of material trapped in vents below the flagged floors of the granaries are expected to reveal the nature of the foodstuffs and other goods once stored in the buildings, together with the bones of rodents that attempted to feed upon them.

Archaeological evidence, including a bronze brooch and strap end, has also revealed that people were using the building as accommodation from the fifth to the eighth centuries, proving that Vindolanda continued to be occupied long after the end of Roman rule in Britain.

A magnificent section of superbly flagged Roman roadway has also been discovered next to the granaries and it is probably now the best example to be seen in the north."
Andrew Birley - Director of Excavations.