Milecastles - Hadrian's Wall

Milecastles were 80 small rectangular forts placed at intervals of one Roman mile along Hadrian's Wall, built from AD 122 onward. Each measured approximately 15-18m by 17-23m internally, with walls up to 3m thick, and housed a garrison of 10-30 auxiliary soldiers. They controlled gateways through the Wall, functioning as customs posts to monitor the passage of people, goods, and livestock. The eastern two-thirds were built in stone while the western third was initially turf and timber, later rebuilt in stone. Two turrets were positioned between each pair of milecastles.