Hadrian's Wall and the Newcastle Roman Fort - 3D Reconstruction

This weekend Hadrian's Wall will be put in the spotlight - quite literally - when approximately 500 beacons will illuminate the 84 mile wall in its entirety. It will surely be a memorable sight (and one to capture on video, in pixels, and in Tweets)! As we're all anxiously awaiting the weekend, let's have a look at how Hadrian's Wall, and the bridge and fort complex nearby called the Pons Aelius, might have looked in 200AD!

The history of Newcastle begins about AD120, when Roman engineers constructed the first bridge across the River Tyne. The bridge was called 'Pons Aelius' - meaning 'Bridge of Aelius' - a reference to Emperor Hadrian's family name.

Later, on the site of the present Castle Keep, the Romans first build a wood-walled fort to protect the river crossing, which took the name of the bridge. The entire settlement became then known as 'Pons Aelius'.

There is evidence to suggest the fort was rebuilt in stone, most probably during the reign of Emperor Severus. Pons Aelius is last mentioned in AD400, in the Notitia Dignitatum, a Roman document listing all of the Roman military outposts.

The Roman fort at Newcastle was a small fort by Roman standards, housing about 480 auxilary troops. Originally the Pons Aelius sat at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall, although it was not attached to the wall itself. The Pons Aelius lost that position when the Segedunum fort was built  three miles further on, and Hadrian's Wall was extended to meet it.

If you are going to watch the Illumination of Hadrian's Wall this weekend - be it at Newcastle or not - take into account these tips from 'a local'. And for Jupiter's sake, dress warm! That way you'll have non-deep-frozen fingers to tweet us up to date about all what's happening along those miles of ancient history. I'll be reading your tweets from the '410 AD - End of Roman Britain' conference at the British Museum. Happy illumination to all! Don't forget to tweet @heritagekey with hashtag #illuminatinghadrianswall!

Read 3 comments, or leave your own

About The Author

Ann Wuyts (follow me: e-mail or )

Last three pieces by this author:

Unique Iron Age Hoard goes on display at Ipswich Museum | Royal Artefacts - Including King Tut's Golden Trumpet - Returned to Egyptian Museum Cairo | SCA releases full list of treasures missing from the Cairo Museum

Ann 'Vint' Wuyts is looking after the Heritage Key community and avatar health & entertainment. She is slightly fascinated by everything to do with 3D technology and what's commonly defined as 'Web 2.0'. When she grows up, Ann - eventually - wants to be a mummy. Favourite game: Buzzword Bingo /…