Corbridge Roman Site

Corbridge Roman Site 10/9/05

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	On the road to the next site I see a sign for a farm shop. I have no idea what this is yet I decide that we should go look. The parking area a joins a pig sty.
	We take a few pictures, Shannon chats with me about the pigs. We than go in the shop it a small gift and butcher shop. North Acomb Farm Shop. We buy a few different varieties of cheeses and some other condiments; this was a nice side stop. The cheese is outstanding! I am hoping that I can order on line some of the bacon.
	Our agenda is to follow visit a Roman Fort and to follow Hadrian’s Wall. First up the Roman Fort Corbridge Roman site and Museum.
	This is the dedication plaque found in 1702 dedicating the site to Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Veras, who were joint emperors. It was placed by a detachment of the 20th Legion Valeria Victrix under the command of Sextus Calpurnius Agricola in the autumn of 163 A.D.
	These buildings were the back bone of Roman conquest. They were two grain storehouses and were the largest buildings in the complex.
	The engineering that went into these to ensure that the grain stayed dry but had adequate ventilation and keep the vermin out is incredible.
	Corbridge was fascinating. This is the first Roman ruin that we've visited. There is an audio tour that we took - they give you a handset and there are numbered podiums throughout the site. You punch in the number that you are at and it tells you all about it. Pretty cool.
	Patrick checking out the granaries.
	Shannon had her own way of appreciating the ruins - they were great climbing rocks!
	It's phenomenal that these granaries are still in such good shape considering the centuries that these weren't protected as historic sites. This one still has most of its floor in tact.
	This one doesn't have the floor as in tact, but you are able to see more of the architecture under the floor.
	You can see the remains of the huge columns that held up the porches of the buildings. Notice the drains installed throughout the complex to channel the run-off. These are a lot of details that the Romans dealt with in community planning that modern-day planners can learn from.
	Looking at the fountain house from the side. An aqueduct brought water to the site from the north to feed the fountain. The water flowed through an ornamental fountain and into a basin surrounded by decorative stone screens, and from there into a stone trough. In front of the trough can be seen the street drains which connect to a system of tanks on the other side of the street.
	Looking east from across the street from the fountain house. This must have been truly impressive 1800 years ago.
	The view down an alleyway toward the end of the complex.
	Obviously water distribution. For people? Horses?
	This was the inside of the wall of the HQ building. Look at the workmanship. I challenge you to find modern workmanship this good.
	Shannon appreciating the workmanship.
	A well?
	Underground strong room of the Western Headquarters Building.
	Further examination of the underground drainage system.
	Looking down the side of the granaries at the bases of the columns that supported the roof at one time.
	These passages ensured that the grain had adequate air circulation so that it didn't become moldy.
	One of the massive columns that held up the porch to a granary.
	This is the location with an artists rendering of the site.
	Behold our faithful French steed awaits.
	Big surprise with what we find inside - an adolescent with a Game Boy.