Milecastle 13

Milecastle 13 was a short-axis milecastle and the north gateway has been identified as Type I. Such milecastles were thought to have been constructed by the legio II Augusta who were based in Isca Augusta (Caerleon).{{cite book |author=David J Breeze and Brian Dobson |year=1976

|title=Hadrian's Wall | publisher=Allen Lane | isbn=0-14-027182-1 | pages = 14–15}}

The milecastle measured {{convert|15.24|m|ft}} × {{convert|17.91|m|ft}} with narrow side walls having a thickness of {{convert|2.34|m|ft}}.{{Citation | first = David J | last = Breeze

| title = Handbook to the Roman Wall (14th Revised edition – Nov 2006)

| publisher = Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne | year = 1934 | isbn = 0-901082-65-1

| pages = 167–172}}

The threshold of the north gate was unworn, and raised {{convert|23|cm|in}}. One stone remained, which could have acted as a third threshold, or part of a later narrowing of the gateway.

• 1776 – A hoard of 516 gold and silver coins (in a pot) were found. The latest dated to AD 168.
• 1930 – Excavation revealed the dimensions and gateway type.{{cite journal |last=Simpson |first=FG |year=1931 |title=Excavations on Hadrian's Wall between Heddon-on-the-Wall and North Tyne in 1930 |journal=Archaeologia Aeliana |series=Series 4 |location=Newcastle-upon-Tyne |publisher=Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne |volume=8 |pages=305–327 |doi=10.5284/1059898}}

• 1955 – English Heritage Field Investigation. It was noted that the milecastle was visible as a slight rise, but that the slopes not surveyable.{{cite web|url=http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22784|title=Milecastle 13|work=Pastscape|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=21 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225073812/http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22784|archive-date=25 February 2012}}
• 1966 – English Heritage Field Investigation. The description and published survey was confirmed.
• 1989 – English Heritage Field Investigation. It was noted that a platform survived, {{convert|0.2|m|ft}} to {{convert|0.4|m|ft}} high, with a further drop of around {{convert|4|m|ft}} to the east. The platform measured approximately {{convert|20|m|ft}} east-west and {{convert|13|m|ft}} north-south overall. {{convert|20|m|ft}} to the east was another slight mound, measuring {{convert|12|m|ft}} east-west and {{convert|7|m|ft}} north-south overall.

Each milecastle on Hadrian's Wall had two associated turret structures. These turrets were positioned approximately one-third and two-thirds of a Roman mile to the west of the Milecastle, and would probably have been manned by part of the milecastle's garrison. The turrets associated with Milecastle 13 are known as Turret 13A and Turret 13B.

The remains of Turret 13A (Rudchester East) are covered by the B6318 Military Road.{{cite web|url=http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22789|title=Turret 13A|work=Pastscape|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=21 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310052133/http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22789|archive-date=10 March 2012}} Investigation in 1930 revealed the turret to have the same plan as Turrets 12A and 12B, having a rectangular platform which occupied the south side of the interior. The mortared walls were recorded as 1.22 metres (4.0 ft) thick, with the doorway lying to the east.

At the location of Turret 13B, the curtain wall was recorded as {{convert|2.82|m|ft}} thick (broad wall).

The fort of Vindobala (Rudchester) lies between Turrets 13A and 13B.

Location on Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 map: {{coord|55.001399|-1.819958|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline|name=Turret 13A}}

No remains exist of Turret 13B (Rudchester West). Its measured position is {{convert|73|m|yards}} beyond the fort's west wall, at the location of an old toll-cottage.{{cite web|url=http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22792|title=Turret 13B|work=Pastscape|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=21 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310052221/http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=22792|archive-date=10 March 2012}}

Measured location: {{coord|55.002596|-1.827551|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline|name=Turret 13B}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{citation|last=Daniels|first=Charles|year=1979|title=Review: Fact and Theory on Hadrian's Wall|journal=Britannia|volume=10|pages=357–364 |doi=10.2307/526069|jstor=526069}}

{{Milecastles}}

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