Birdoswald Roman Fort

Birdoswald Roman Fort, known as Banna in antiquity, sits on a triangular spur above the River Irthing in Cumbria, towards the western end of Hadrian's Wall. Construction began in AD 122, initially in turf before being rebuilt in stone. The 2.14-hectare fort was garrisoned by the Cohors I Aelia Dacorum, a 1,000-strong infantry unit recruited from modern Romania, stationed here from c. 126 to 400 AD. Its defenses are the best preserved of any Wall fort. Uniquely, Birdoswald shows continuous occupation into the post-Roman period, with timber hall buildings replacing the granaries as the garrison evolved into a local warband.