Durno facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Durno |
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Alternative name(s) | Logie Durno |
Type | Marching camp |
Location | |
Coordinates | 57°20′04″N 2°30′02″W / 57.3345°N 2.5006°W |
Site notes | |
Condition | Cropmark |
Excavation dates | 1976–1977 |
Archaeologists | Kenneth St Joseph |
Durno, also called Logie Durno, is an important historical site in Scotland. It's located about 6 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. This place was once a huge Roman marching camp.
It was first discovered in July 1975 using aerial photography. This is a way of taking pictures from an airplane to find old structures hidden underground. Later, archaeologists dug up parts of the camp in 1976 and 1977 to learn more.
What Was Durno?
Durno was a very large Roman marching camp. Roman soldiers built these camps when they were on the move. They were temporary forts where soldiers could rest safely. Durno is the biggest Roman camp found north of the Antonine Wall.
How Big Was This Roman Camp?
The camp at Durno covered a huge area. It was between 57.2 and 58.4 hectares (about 141 to 144 acres). To give you an idea, that's like 100 football fields! Its massive size makes it truly special.
The camp was protected by a ditch. This ditch was about 3.35 meters (11 feet) wide and 3.35 meters (11 feet) deep. The southwest side of the camp was 3,230 feet (985 meters) long. The northwest side was 1,930 feet (588 meters) long.
Durno and a Famous Battle
Because Durno was so big, some historians think it might have been a key location. They suggest it's where the Roman general Agricola gathered his army. This would have happened before the famous Battle of Mons Graupius in AD 84.
This battle was a major fight between the Romans and local Scottish tribes. However, the idea that Durno was the exact spot is still debated. The evidence for it is mostly based on its size and location.