Housesteads Roman Fort

The most complete Roman fort in Britain, built in stone c. AD 124 on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England. Covering 2.2 hectares, it housed an 800-strong infantry regiment, the cohors I Tungrorum, originally recruited from Germanic tribes near modern Tongres, Belgium, who garrisoned the site from the late 2nd to 4th centuries. Notable survivals include one of the best-preserved gateways on the Wall and communal latrines described as one of the most remarkable survivals of Roman Britain. A civilian settlement (vicus) with traders and families thrived outside the walls during the 2nd-3rd centuries. A Mithraeum (temple to Mithras) was excavated west of Chapel Hill. Now owned by the National Trust and managed by English Heritage.