Modifications The fort decision was taken and it probably expanded the building time of Hadrian's Wall for another two years. Now auxiliaries helped to dig the vallum and even the classis Britannica was involved by building granaries of Benwell and possibly Halton Chesters. But the closer supervision was needed, patrolling in the North was now easier although milecastles and turrets became less important (only for observation, the vallum reduced the causeways). At first Hadrian's Wall was built at broad gauge of about 10 ft width, but with the fort decision the wall was narrowed to about 8 ft. This is of important value to us since it showed that milecastles and turrets were built first and only later they were connected by the curtain. Reconstruction at Vindolanda Whin Sill near Housesteads Housesteads At the Tyne estruary the fort of South Shields had to supervise the areas east of Wallsend. Probably there were also some fortlets controlling the Tyne River. In the West the system of fortlets and watchtowers continued down the Cumbrian Coast for at least 26 Roman miles. It was similar to the wall system just with water and fence instead of ditch and wall. The fortifications can be tracked to the fort of Maryport and had to control the movement over the Firth of Solway. Later (probably arround AD 130) more forts were established or recommissioned in the central area of Hadrian's Wall. Carrawbrugh had to fill the gap between Chesters and Housesteads, while Carvoran and Vindolanda seemed to be reused by the end of Hadrian's reign. Possibly this concentration of troops had to face raiding parties. Under Hadrian three Outpost Forts were established. Birrens, Netherby and Bewcastle located in the western sector obviously had to guard Brigantian territory that projeted in this area north of Hadrian's Wall. The whole construction may have been completed between AD 128-130. But if we look on this complex monument closely reconstruction and rebuilding went on at all times (when occupied). There are for instance building inscriptions from Carvoran dating to AD 136/7 and by the very end of Hadrian's reign a short sector (7 km) of the turf construction west of Willowfordbridge was rebuilt in stone.

The Stanegate The Original Plan The Hadrianic Frontier The Purpose of Hadrian's Wall