Hadrian's Wall - Milecastle 18 - East Wallhouses

Hadrian's Wall Milecastle

Milecastle 18 (East Wallhouses) was a – Milecastle of the Roman Hadrian’s Wall. It is located to the west of the settlement of East Wallhouses in Northumberland and is visible as a platform in the ground. The – Milecastle is of a unique construction, having a gateway associated with builders of the Legio II Augusta and a layout typical of the Legio VI Victrix or Legio XX Valeria Victrix. Historians have suggested that it may have been begun by men of one legion and finished by those of another. One of – Milecastle 18’s associated turrets shows evidence of being used as a workshop, possibly for the repair of shoes.

Milecastle 18 was a long-axis – Milecastle with Type I gateways. Long axis – Milecastles were usually built by the Legio VI Victrix or Legio XX Valeria Victrix, whilst those with type I gateways are thought to have been built by Legio II Augusta. – Milecastle 18 is the only one of the series of 80 to have the combination of type I gateways and a long axis. The gateway of this – Milecastle is of a rougher construction than others with type I gateways. The – Milecastle has a broad north wall but narrow side walls suggesting that this example was begun by troops of one legion but completed by those of another.

The – Milecastle is situated on the Military Road just to the west of East Wallhouses. It measures 53 feet 8 inches (16.36 m) east to west and 59 feet 6 inches (18.14 m) north to south with side walls 7 feet 9 inches (2.36 m) thick. It was scheduled as an ancient monument on 14 July 1997. There are no structural remains though part of the – Milecastle is visible as a 0.5-metre-high (1.6 ft) platform next to the road, which covers much of the former – Milecastle.

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