| Abstract: |
A S Robertson (pp 1-12) traces the Flavian, and putatively Agricolan, evidence on Scottish sites. D R Wilson (13-30) discusses aerial reconnaissance in Britain, which has revealed since 1930 nearly 80 permanent military sites and 235 camps, as well as adding many new details of known sites; the value of continued resurveillance cannot be overstressed. Gavin Maxwell (31-49) discusses native pressures and their effect on Roman policy, dismissing the case for diplomatic relations between Orkney and Rome, and considering in detail the native organization in the islands of Strathclyde Region on the one hand, and in the Fife peninsula on the other. J P Gillam (51-6) puts the evidence for a possible change in plan while the Antonine Wall was under construction and suggests its major elements were the same as those for the second plan for Hadrian's Wall, but that the number of forts was increased. Recent recognition of milecastle-like fortlets suggest that timber watchtowers should now be sought on the Antonine line. L J F Keppie (57-65) treats the 18 distance slabs from the Antonine Wall; that so many have been recovered points to their deliberate concealment as part of a Roman withdrawal. D J Breeze (67-80), using all classes of evidence, prefers AD 163 as the date of abandonment of the Antonine Wall, though a military presence is evident in the area later in the century. Heavy occupation of the Lowlands in Antonine I (possibly to provide Antoninus Pius with military prestige) was replaced by a more normal pattern in Ant II. Probably central policy rather than native pressure caused abandonment of the Antonine system, and thereafter a patrolling system continued, with minor changes, to AD 367. |
