Aesica

Aesica (modern name Great Chesters) was a Roman fort, 1.5 miles north of the small town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland [1]. It was the ninth fort on Hadrian's Wall, between Vercovicium (Housesteads) 6.0 miles to the east and Banna (Birdoswald) 6.5 miles to the west [1]. Its main purpose was to guard the Caw Gap where the Haltwhistle Burn crosses the Wall [1]. The fort was rectangular in plan with towers at each corner and measuring 355 feet north to south by 419 feet east to west, occupying a comparatively small area of 3 acres [1]. The fort had three main gates; south, east and west, with double portals with towers [1]. The fort was supplied with water by a remarkable aqueduct system that drew water from the Haltwhistle Burn – Caw Burn directly into the fort [1]. The 2nd-century garrisons were the Sixth Cohort of Nervians, followed by the Sixth Cohort of Raetians [1].