Roman fortlet discovered beside the Antonine Wall in Scotland.

Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a small Roman fortlet beside the Antonine Wall in Bearsden, about 5 miles northwest of Glasgow, and radiocarbon dating places its use in the mid-second to mid-third centuries A.D.

Archaeologists in Scotland have identified the remains of a Roman fortlet located beside the Antonine Wall in Bearsden, roughly 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Glasgow. The Antonine Wall was a roughly 38-mile (62 km) turf frontier begun in A.D. 142 under Emperor Antoninus Pius and marked the northern edge of Roman-controlled southern Scotland. The fortlet was found on high ground adjacent to the wall and offers clear views to the north and toward a nearby Roman fort. The excavation team published their results in Archaeology Reports Online after an initial discovery in 2017. Key details: - Location: Bearsden, on the southern side of the Antonine Wall, spanning the gardens of three private residences. - Dating: Radiocarbon dating reported the site’s use in the mid-second to mid-third centuries A.D. - Discovery: First identified in 2017 during an archaeological survey ahead of construction, followed by a larger excavation. - Construction: Built on a stone base with an external ditch; the team reported evidence of defensive ditches and walls. - Reconstruction and layout: A digital reconstruction by Guard Archaeology shows two buildings, two watchtowers, and surrounding defensive features. - Role: The archaeologists noted most Antonine Wall fortlets could accommodate 20–50 soldiers and that this position had commanding views and sightlines to a nearby fort for potential signalling. Summary: The find adds detail to the known network of forts and fortlets along the Antonine Wall and illustrates how small outposts used local high ground. The team published the findings in Archaeology Reports Online; further work or excavation plans are undetermined at this time.