Archaeologia Aeliana Series 5

The defence of North Britain is considered from the viewpoint of a modern army officer. Hadrian's Wall played only a minor role compared to that of the cavalry in the Advance Forts; the effectiveness of their patrols to the North of the Wall is stressed, in a strategy that relied upon reconnaissance, concentration and interception.

In 2009, two large alters were excavated side by side in the north-west quadrant of the third-century stone fort at Vindolanda, evidently inside a temple. A third, smaller altar was found just outside the temple. The relief on the main altar is a notable addition to the inscriptions and images of the Dolichenus cult in Britain. This article deals first with the excavation, then the alters, gives a brief account of the cult in general, with particular reference to Britain, and finally offers some reflections on the two cohorts.

This cemetery, which may have its origins in the late seventh century AD, overlies the remains of the Roman fort of Pons Aelius, occupying a headland site on the north bank of the River Tyne. In 1080 the 'New Castle upon Tyne' was constructed on the headland, reputed by some 12th-century chroniclers to have previously been the site of a Christian community called Monkchester. This report describes and discusses the results of the excavations of the cemetery, including the impact of the 'New Castle' and the later refortification. This is not considered to be a final or definitive statement on the cemetery, but does attempt to synthesis 13 seasons of excavation. Study of the skeletal remains is continuing and it is likely that the results of future analysis may revise some of the conclusions presented here. Similarly, the suggested presence of a late Saxon stone church, and a possible smaller predecessor, will almost certainly be a subject of further research and, perhaps, re-interpretation.

In 2009 the Society purchased two bronze Paterae,following their discovery by two metal detectorists in Whittington parish. They are described here, along with the details of other Paterae in the Society's collection.