The Wall Arrives

The Wall Arrives. . , The Wall Arrives , In AD 122, the Emperor Hadrian's decision to build the Wall was transformed into action all along the frontier. The foundation for the Wall and a lookout tower were begun here at Housesteads, before everything changed... , The low square foundation in front of you is part of turret 36b – one of many turrets built along Hadrian's Wall in its earliest stages. Two turrets were usually positioned between larger milecastles or fortlets for about 30 men. Turrets were lookout towers, from which Roman soldiers watched the unconquered lands beyond the Wall. Each turret contained facilities for a few troops to shelter, eat and sleep during routine duty and patrols. , It is uncertain if turret 36b was completed – the Wall to each side was not – before the army decided to build large forts on the Wall line. Turret 36b was demolished and buried along with the Wall foundation, and the fort built over it. , ( photo caption ) , Above: The head from a statue of the great Emperor Hadrian, builder of the Wall, found in the River Thames near London Bridge. , Trustees of the British Museum , Above: The Wall foundation and turret 36b under construction in AD 123. Reconstruction by Peter Urmston , Felix says … , This is the edge of the Roman Empire where I watch for inading tribes. When I am on guard duty, I sleep and eat here too.