Milecastle 20, Roman fortification on Hadrian's Wall, England
Milecastle 20 is a small Roman stone fortification located on Hadrian's Wall in northern England. The ruins display rectangular walls that once protected soldiers stationed along this defensive line.
The structure was first built from turf and wooden stakes in 122 AD, then rebuilt in stone during the 130s by Roman soldiers. This change shows how the Romans strengthened their border defenses over time.
The fortification shows how Roman builders repeated the same design along the entire wall to create a unified defense line. Walking through the ruins, you notice how each section fits into a larger military system.
The site sits along established walking trails that connect multiple sections of the wall and are easy to reach. Good walking shoes help on the uneven ground and grassy paths you will encounter.
Only about 16 to 32 soldiers were stationed here to watch over traffic moving through the wall in this area. The small garrison shows how Romans ran these posts efficiently without needing large military forces.
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