Sites and Monument Record: Kinneil Fortlet (SMR 797)

Description
Following the discovery of Roman pottery in this field after ploughing, a small excavation was undertaken in 1978 by Dr Keppie of the Hunterian Museum and by members of the Cumbernauld Historical Society. Their work revealed the previously unknown fortlet.
Then, in 1980, Falkirk Museum set up a project (funded by the Manpower Services Commission) to make the historical features of Kinneil Estate more accessible to the public. Part of this included the complete excavation, consolidation, and display of the Roman fortlet.
Unfortunately, ploughing in medieval times had removed most of the Roman levels on the south side of the fortlet. However, sufficient remained to demonstrate the location of the ramparts and the south gateway. The fortlet rampart, like that of the Antonine Wall was built of earth and clay on a stone foundation and would have reached a height of around 3.5 m (11 ft). The reconstruction drawing gives some idea of the appearance of the fortlet when it was first built.
Approaching the fortlet by way of the small pond to the north, you cross the gentle hollow that passes through the field from the direction of Kinneil House, this is all that is left of the large ditch that fronted the Antonine Wall. As you near the remains you will see the mound representing the Wall itself. Although this now stands to a height of c1.2m , this has been partly rebuilt to protect the remains below. The dressed edging "kerb stones" at the foot of the earth bank are part of the original foundation.
Enter through the north gateway. On the right are wooden posts which formed part of the Roman tower which stood here. Holes were dug by the Roman soldiers to place their timber posts in, and then earth and stones were packed around them to keep them upright. During the archaeological excavation the disturbed ground into which the original posts had been inserted was found. These are known as post-holes. The modern posts are of the same size as those indicated by excavation of the post-holes. As well as supporting a tall wooden watch-tower, these posts braced the rampart to either side allowing access via a roadway through it. The road is made up of gravel. On the left side (east) is a stone lined drain to take surface water from inside the fortlet to the ditch. Large wooden gates placed at the front of the entrance passage would have closed the road to unauthorised traffic.
As you emerge from the northern gateway you can see more timber posts. These mark the positions of two Roman buildings, one on either side of the road through the fortlet. One building would have been used for accommodation and the other for stores. In the north-west corner of the fortlet a 3 m (10 ft) deep well was found, with a gravel path around its head. This would have gathered rainwater for the use of the garrison. Beside it was a cookhouse which used the rampart for its back wall.
The buildings stood within the enclosing ramparts of the fortlet. These are marked on the ground by two parallel lines of paving slabs. It is hard now to imagine the confined space that these tall ramparts would have created. Their shadows would have blocked out direct sunlight for much of the day, and they would have provided an airless atmosphere with shelter against the wind. At the south end of the fortlet the road again passed through the rampart. Here are two rows of 3 posts. As there were 5 posts on either side at the north gate it is presumed that the southern gate did not have a tower above it, merely a continuation of the parapet walkway, the posts also bracing the rampart.
Outside the fortlet was a small ditch offering limited protection from the less vulnerable south. Due to drainage problems this had to be filled in after the excavation in 1981.