The Truth About the Epic Roman Fort of VINDOLANDA (Secrets Revealed!)

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The Truth About Hadrian’s Wall Part 2: VINDOLANDA & More…

What is the truth about the Roman fort of Vindolanda just south of Hadrian’s Wall? Who were the Roman soldiers stationed here, what lives did they live, and what secrets have we uncovered from this site? I will answer these and many other questions in this video, and I will also take you to one of the most scenic parts of Hadrian’s Wall later in the video so stick about for that.

Now firstly, what actually is Vindolanda? Well Vindolanda was a Roman auxiliary fort just south of Hadrian's Wall in northern England, which it pre-dated by decades. Vindolanda was under Roman occupation from roughly 85 AD to 370 AD. For reference, construction on Hadrian’s Wall began in 122 AD, making Vindolanda a fascinating time-machine into pre-Hadrian Britain. We know that Romans used the word Vindolanda themselves for the fort, with it meaning white lawns or white fields. It is estimated that only 27% of Vindolanda has been excavated, with early excavations beginning in the 1830s. I will discuss some of the incredible and surprising finds later in the video.

Vindolanda itself actually comprises nine forts built on top of each other. The first Vindolanda fort was part of an earlier Roman frontier system called the Stanegate Frontier. The Romans built a road across northern England that linked strategic forts at Carlisle in the west and Corbridge in the east with the likes of Vindolanda in the center. With the building of Hadrian’s Wall however these Stanegate forts were amalgamated into the new defensive system.

But who were the Romans soldiers stationed at Vindolanda? Well, for those paying attention earlier, this site was a Roman auxiliary fort, meaning that most of the soldiers stationed here were non-citizen troops from places such as modern-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. We know that from the early 3rd century, the Cohors quarta Gallorum equitata (or "4th Part-mounted Cohort of Gauls") was stationed at Vindolanda, a unit of around 600 men made of up of 480 infantry, 120 cavalry.

This unit was probably raised from Gallia Lugdunensis, a Roman province in parts of northern France today, which before Caesar’s conquest of Gaul, was part of the home of Celtic civilization in the ancient world, Gaul. It seems as well that local Britons were also incorporated into the unit. As an inscription reads:

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#vindolanda #hadrianswall #romanempire

[celtichistorydecoded]

Have you ever visited Vindolanda or Hadrian's Wall (or both)? Please let me know your thoughts below...

[antonyreyn]

Great video u packed a lot in there! Cheers

[iainmc]

The same Gallic cavalry were probably garrisoned at Castle Hill on the Antonine Wall between Milngavie and Clydebank. I can just see them now, drinking wine, enjoying a garlic baguette and eating cheese .... what did Groundskeeper Wullie call them ?

[waynemcauliffe-fvyf]

Cool. Every read any old Rosemary Sutcliff books mate? A lot of her stories are set around there

[John_Pace]

As interesting is the Roman history of Hadrian's Wall, more interesting is the underlying geographical history of millions of years, and the volcanic stills that created such stunning views. But then Scottish geographical history is so interesting, dating back to Cambrian times, including the collision between the North American plates and the European ones that created the Caledonia mountains and Edinburgh. another video perhaps?

[RickPop]

this place is an amazing place to visit

[alisdairmclean]

It always amazes me how quickly the Romans built the wall. Just think of the logistics involved. We barbarians can't even dual the A9!!

[razorednight]

The Romans were in Britain for getting on for 400 years. People must have thought the Empire would last forever, and that Britain would remain Roman forever too. In comparison, modern civilization is a mere pup!