The major and longest-lasting northern frontier to the Roman province of Britain. (For alternative frontiers at earlier and later date, see Fosse Way and Antonine Wall.) In 122 the emperor Hadrian visited Britain, and authorized the construction of this new frontier, stretching from the Solway Firth to the Tyne, a distance of some 117 km (80 Roman miles). Built 122128 on a line just north of the existing Roman Stanegate road, the wall was perhaps basically some 4.5 metres high, with possibly an additional 2-metre parapet above that. Some parts were originally constructed in turf, but in time (by about 160) the whole structure was completed in limestone. The wall had 16 forts to house troops, a small fort or milecastle every Roman mile (i.e. 80), and two signal turrets between each milecastle. A ditch in front (some 8.5 metres wide by 3 metres deep) was balanced by one behind with embankment {vallum). Forts and supply depots based on the Stanegate offered back-up facilities. At the Solway Firth end a chain of forts strung out for some 64 km down the coast were designed to prevent outflanking. Over the centuries of its use, the wall was refurbished three times, before final abandonment some time soon after 400. There are well-preserved examples of major wall-forts to be seen at Chesters and Housesteads. For the Stanegate, see Cor-
The Macmillan dictionary of archaeology, Ruth D. Whitehouse, 1983Copied