Blatobulgium facts for kids
Blatobulgium was an ancient Roman fort, like a military base, located in what is now Birrens, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It was an important place for Roman soldiers in Britain.
What's in a Name?
The name Blatobulgium comes from old words. It's written down in an ancient Roman travel guide called the Antonine Itinerary. The name might mean 'flowery hillock' or 'flowery hollow'.
However, this fort had buildings for storing grain, called granaries. So, some people think Blatobulgium might have been a nickname meaning 'Flour Sacks'. It's a bit like calling a place "Breadbasket" if it's known for growing lots of wheat!
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A Look Back: The Fort's History
This fort was at the very northern end of a famous Roman road called Watling Street. It was also part of Route 2 in the Antonine Itinerary. The fort was built in the land of a local tribe called the Selgovae.
The Romans first used this spot around 79 AD. At that time, the buildings inside the fort were probably made of wood.
Later, around 122 AD, a new fort was built under Emperor Hadrian. Its main buildings were likely made of stone.
The fort you can still see today was built around 142 AD. These stone buildings were destroyed, possibly by enemies, around 155 AD.
The Romans rebuilt the fort around 159 AD, but the new buildings were not as strong. Roman soldiers stayed at Blatobulgium until about 180-184 AD. After that, there's no sign of them using the fort anymore.
Amazing Discoveries
Archaeologists have found many carved stones and altars at Birrens. More have been found here than anywhere else in Scotland!
One special discovery was an altar stone. It was dedicated to a Celtic goddess named Ricagambeda. These finds help us learn a lot about the people who lived here long ago.
