Hardknott Roman Fort

Hardknott Roman Fort is an archeological site, the remains of the Roman fort Mediobogdum, located on the western side of the challenging Hardknott Pass in the English Lake District [1]. The fort was built between 120 and 138 on a rocky spur, and was initially garrisoned by a detachment of the Cohors IV Delmatarum from the Dalmatian coast [1]. It was abandoned around a decade later, then reoccupied circa 200 and remained in use for much of the next two centuries [1]. Leather objects from Roman occupation have been found at the site [1]. The fort is square with rounded corners, 114 metres long externally, or 105 metres internally, the rampart wall being about 1.7 metres thick with ditches adding to the total width of the rampart [1]. The outer wall has four gates, at the centre of each side, and lookout towers at each corner [1]. Within the walls are the remaining outlines of several buildings: two side-by-side granaries, the garrison headquarters building and garrison commander's villa, or Praetorium [1].