Milecastle 38, Roman fortification in Bardon Mill, England
Milecastle 38 is a rectangular stone fortification along Hadrian's Wall with gates opening to both north and south. The structure was solidly constructed and contained internal spaces for housing the permanent garrison and administrative functions.
The fort was built around 122 CE under Emperor Hadrian as part of a series of structures that separated Roman territory from Scotland. It was one of roughly 80 similar posts along the newly established frontier.
This fortification served as a control point where Roman soldiers monitored the movement of people between the empire and the north. The soldiers interacted daily with local traders and travelers, making the site an interface between two distinct worlds.
The ruins are reached via marked walking paths from Bardon Mill and lie along the popular Hadrian's Wall hiking route. Access is straightforward and the site can be visited regardless of weather conditions.
Archaeological finds show that soldiers stationed here sometimes brought families, evident from pottery fragments and household items discovered at the site. This suggests frontier life was less isolated than historically believed.
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