Bertha (Perth) facts for kids

Bertha was the name of an ancient Roman fort located in Scotland, just north of where the city of Perth is today. It was built right where two rivers, the River Almond and the River Tay, meet. This spot was very important a long time ago! Today, Bertha is a special protected historical site called a scheduled ancient monument.

Discovering the Roman Fort of Bertha

The fort at Bertha was a crucial place for the Romans. It was built around AD 83. Its main job was to be a supply base. Think of it like a giant storage and rest stop for Roman soldiers. These soldiers were on expeditions, which means they were exploring and sometimes fighting in the north-east parts of Scotland.

Why Was Bertha Built Here?

The location of Bertha was chosen very carefully. It was at the highest point on the River Tay that boats could reach. This made it easy for the Romans to bring supplies by water. It helped them support their armies as they moved further into new territories. Historians believe the fort might have been used more than once, possibly up to the 3rd century.

The Name Game: What Was Bertha Really Called?

You might wonder where the name "Bertha" came from. Some people used to think the name "Perth" (the nearby city) came from "Bertha." However, other historians have a different idea.

How Bertha Got Its Name

Medieval Scottish historians, like John of Fordun and Walter Bower, were the first to use the name "Bertha." They didn't know the fort's original Roman name. So, they created "Bertha" by adapting a version of the name "Perth." It's thought that the Romans themselves probably called the site "Tamia." This name likely came from a local name for the River Tay.

Bertha After the Romans

Even after the Romans left, the site of Bertha remained important. In early medieval times, the abandoned fort was still used for special ceremonies. Pictish and Gaelic kings would gather there. During this period, the site was known by a different name: "Rathinveramon."

Uncovering the Past: Digging Up Bertha

The site of the Bertha fort covers about 9-acre (36,000 m²) of land. People first identified it as a Roman site in the 1700s. Over many years, the site has faced some damage. River erosion (when the river wears away the land) and farming (ploughing) have affected it.

What Archaeologists Found

In 1973, archaeologists carried out excavations, which are like careful digs to find old things. They discovered some exciting clues about the fort's structure:

• They found a ditch that was about 11 feet (3.4 m) wide and 5.5 feet (1.7 m) deep. This ditch would have been part of the fort's defenses.
• Just inside the ditch, there was a wide, flat area called a berm. This berm was over 30 feet (9.1 m) wide.
• Behind the berm, there was a strong wall made of turf (like thick grass and soil). This turf rampart was about 21 feet (6.4 m) wide. These features show how well-protected the Roman fort was.