Milecastle 60 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milecastle 60 |
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Hadrian's Wall Path close to the site of Milecastle 60
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 Location in Cumbria
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| Type | Milecastle |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 54°56′40″N 2°49′33″W / 54.944493°N 2.825862°W |
| County | Cumbria |
| Country | England |
Milecastle 60 (High Strand) was a small fort built by the Romans as part of Hadrian's Wall. These "milecastles" were like mini-forts placed about every Roman mile (which is about 1.5 kilometers) along the wall. They helped the Roman soldiers guard the frontier.
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What is Milecastle 60?
Milecastle 60 was one of 80 small forts along Hadrian's Wall. The Romans built Hadrian's Wall across northern England to protect their land from tribes to the north. Each milecastle was a small, square fort. It had gates that allowed people to pass through the wall. Soldiers lived inside to control who came and went. They also watched for any trouble.
Where is Milecastle 60 Located?
Milecastle 60 is thought to be near Bleatarn Farm in Irthington, England. Its exact spot is not fully known today. Experts believe it might be at a place called High Strand. This area is between Oldwall and Bleatarn Farm.
The Altar of Cocidius
In 1851, a special stone called an Altar was found at High Strand. This altar was dedicated to a Roman god named Cocidius. He was a local god of hunting and forests. The altar was put there by soldiers from the Sixth Legion. This was a famous Roman army group. Finding this altar helps us know where the milecastle might have been.
Associated Turrets
Every milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two smaller watchtowers nearby. These towers are called turrets. They were placed about one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the milecastle.
Purpose of the Turrets
The turrets were like lookout posts. Soldiers from the milecastle would have guarded these towers. They helped to keep an eye on the area between the milecastles. This made sure the wall was always protected.
Turrets 60A and 60B
The turrets linked to Milecastle 60 are known as Turret 60A and Turret 60B. However, archaeologists have not yet found the exact locations of these two turrets. Many turrets along Hadrian's Wall were discovered later. But the spots for 60A and 60B are still a mystery.
