Hadrian's Wall stands as a testament to Roman engineering and imperial ambition. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, it continues to captivate historians and archaeologists. The wall stretches 73 miles across England and it was once the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the wall is a testament to the “power of the Roman Empire and illustrates the Roman Empire’s ambition to dominate the world in order to establish its law and way of life there in a long-term perspective.”
Hadrian's Wall—A Monument of Historical Importance
Hadrian's Wall was a complex frontier system that included forts, milecastles, and turrets. It served multiple purposes, including defense, customs control, and showcasing Roman power. Construction began in AD 122 under Emperor Hadrian's orders. It took about six years to complete the initial structure. The wall was continuously occupied and modified for nearly 300 years.
Archaeological Discoveries and Ongoing Research at Hadrian's Wall
Despite centuries of study, less than 5% of Hadrian’s Wall has been examined archaeologically. What has been excavated has yielded fascinating insights.
One of the most significant finds are the Vindolanda tablets. Discovered in 1973, these ancient wooden postcards offer glimpses into daily life on the Roman frontier. They reveal details about military operations, personal correspondence, and even shopping lists.
New excavation and discoveries along Hadrian’s Wall in Carlisle, England
A Roman Bathhouse was discovered in Carlisle, England in 2017, and is the largest known building on Hadrian's Wall. The site has yielded many important discoveries that highlight the significance of Carlisle in the context of Hadrian's Wall and provide new insights into Roman life in Britain.
Some significant artifacts found at the Roman Bathhouse in Carlisle thus far include:
The Carlisle Intaglios 70 intricately carved stones made mostly from cornelian or red jasper. Intaglios were used for Roman signet rings with carvings that depicted gods, goddesses, mythical creatures and animals. The stones would have dropped from the rings of men, women, and children who visited the bathhouse when the glue holding the intaglios melted in the bathhouse heat.
Tyrian Purple, is "possibly the only example of a solid sample..of unused paint pigment anywhere in the Roman Empire.” Tyrian purple was used for millennia and was the world’s most expensive and sought after color. It was made from thousands of crushed seashells from the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, or Morocco.
Two stone Roman Heads found positioned by the Roman road. They are believed to represent Roman theatre masks that would have been placed high up on the building looking down to the ground, watching over those coming to the bathhouse.
A Roman tile with a 2,000 year old paw print embedded in it.
Help archaeologists gain insights in to Roman military strategy and daily life. Join an excavation at the Roman Bathhouse along Hadrian’s Wall in Carlisle!
5 surprising Facts About Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall continues to surprise researchers with new insights. Here are some intriguing facts:
The wall wasn't always made of stone. Its western section was initially built from turf.
Soldiers from across the Roman Empire including Syrians, Belgians, and Spaniards manned the wall.
Hadrian may have designed the wall himself since it’s known he had an interest in architecture.
Roman bathhouses had flushing toilets and in Britain, you can see these at Housesteads Roman Fort.
There exist 53 inscribed stones that give us the names of centurions who, with their men, built Hadrian’s Wall. Each group was given a section of wall to build, and they often inscribed a stone when they had finished.