Inverquharity facts for kids
Inverquharity is an ancient Roman fortlet located in Scotland. It sits near the Highland Line, about 5 miles (8 km) north of Kirriemuir in Angus. This small fort was part of the Roman Empire's presence in Scotland many centuries ago.
What is Inverquharity?
Inverquharity was a small Roman military camp, known as a fortlet. It was built by the Romans during a time called the Flavian period. This means it was likely constructed between the years 70 and 86 CE (which stands for Common Era, similar to AD).
Why was it built?
The Romans built many forts across Scotland to control the land. Inverquharity was part of a group of forts in the Strathmore area. Other forts in this series included Inchtuthil, Cargill I and II, Cardean, and Stracathro. Inverquharity was one of the smaller ones.
Its location was very important. It was placed close to the Highland Line, which is where the lowlands meet the highlands of Scotland. It also sat at the entrance to a small valley. Because of this strategic spot, it's considered a "Glenblocker fort." These forts were designed to block or control movement through valleys and mountain passes.
Discovering the Past
Not a lot of archaeological digging has happened at Inverquharity. However, scientists have used special methods to learn about it.
- Aerial Photography: Pictures taken from airplanes or drones have shown outlines of the fort from above. This helps archaeologists see features that are hidden on the ground.
- Geophysical Study: This involves using special equipment to look underground without digging. It can detect changes in the soil, like old ditches or foundations.
These studies have shown that Inverquharity had at least two ditches around it for protection. One of these ditches might have been worn away over time. We don't know much yet about what the buildings inside the fort looked like.
