Arbeia Roman Fort is in South Shields, UK. The site is now a museum. It is here that the Roman heddle was found in the late 19th century.
The Romans occupied the site from 125 CE. It became a supply base for the Roman frontier and many granaries were built.
Various buildings in the site have been reconstructed: the gatehouse, barrack blocks and the commanders house.
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| Reconstructed gate |
The barrack blocks were very cramped for the ordinary soldier.
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| The barrack block |
The barrack housed the centurion and his family at one end. The soldiers in groups of eight shared two rooms - very cramped indeed.
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| Centurions bedroom |
In contrast the centurion had more spacious quarters at one end of the block.
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Centurions kitchen.
The large courtyard house was probably the residence of the commanding officer and were very luxurious.
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| Summer dining room |
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| Commanders courtyard |
The last rebuilding of the fort marked the arrival of the a new unit of Tigris bargemen. Arbeia may mean 'the place of the Arabs'. It is thought to have been formally known as Lugudunum. By the fifth century it was a srtonghold controlling the northern area.
It was a fascinating day out as we had not visited the fort for many years.
The South Shields heddle is now in the Great North Museum in Newcastle.
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| reproduction heddle with the actual Roman find. |
happy weaving
