Fabric of the Frontier: Prospection, Use, and Re-Use of Stone from Hadrian's Wall

Hadrians Wall was made of sandstone, which came from various places in the Roman Empire. The material has been reused in other buildings in the communities that emerged in the centuries after the Roman Empire. By studying the fabric of Hadrians Wall using a geological approach combined with archaeological methods, it is possible to refine our answers to these questions and gather new geological and archaeological data on the Walls stones.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Hadrian's Wall, a remarkable feat of engineering and architecture, stands as a testament to the power and ingenuity of the Roman Empire. Built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian around 122 AD, this massive wall stretched across the northern border of England, serving as a defensive barrier against the barbarian tribes of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The construction of Hadrian's Wall was a massive undertaking that required the gathering of vast quantities of materials. The primary material used for the wall was sandstone, sourced from various locations within the Roman Empire. The exact origin of the sandstone is not fully known, but it is believed to have come from quarries located in modern-day Spain, France, and Germany.

The sandstone used in Hadrian's Wall was carefully selected for its strength, durability, and ability to withstand the harsh climate of the northern region. It was quarried using traditional methods, such as hand-picking and drilling, and then transported to the construction site using a network of roads and rivers. The construction process involved laying the sandstone blocks in rows, with each block carefully aligned and secured with mortar.

The use of sandstone in Hadrian's Wall was not limited to the wall itself. The material was also reused in other buildings within the communities that emerged in the centuries after the Roman Empire. For example, sandstone was used to construct houses, churches, and public buildings, showcasing the versatility and durability of the material.

In recent years, researchers have taken a geological approach to studying Hadrian's Wall, combining archaeological methods with geological analysis. By examining the fabric of the wall using a range of techniques, including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, petrographic microscopy, and thin sections, researchers have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the wall's construction and materials.

One of the key findings of this study is that the geology of the Walls landscape played a significant role in the selection and preparation of the sandstone used in the wall. The sandstone was sourced from different regions of the Roman Empire, each with its unique characteristics. For example, some sandstone was sourced from quarries located in areas with high mineral content, resulting in a harder and more durable material. Other sandstone was sourced from quarries located in areas with softer rock, which was easier to work with but less durable.

The geological analysis has also revealed that the sandstone used in Hadrian's Wall was prepared using a range of techniques, including cutting, shaping, and polishing. The sandstone was cut into blocks using saws and chisels, then shaped and polished using grindstones and sandpaper. This preparation process was designed to ensure that the blocks were uniform in size and shape, making them easier to lay and secure in the wall.

In addition to the geological analysis, this study has also presented a significant set of new geological and archaeological data on the Walls stones from across the length of the wall. This data set has been collected in two complementary ways. First, as a citizen-science project, where volunteers from local communities were trained to visually characterise sandstones and resulting in data collecting on large numbers of the Walls stones along the length of the Wall. Secondly, analytical research was used to gather in scientific data for a selected sets of rocks and stones. Geochemical data was captured using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and petrographic observations made using a petrographic microscope and thin sections.

The combined methods provide a framework for geological analysis of the Wall supported by robust data. It builds on earlier work on Roman quarrying and stone preparation highlighting not only stone sources, but the criteria for choosing stone, stone preparation methods, and the implied routes to the Wall.

At the heart of this study lies the ability to uniquely identify different sandstone types. Geological methods used to achieve this are explored, as are the ways in which the sandstones form. This highlights both the possibilities and limits of this approach.

In conclusion, Hadrian's Wall is a remarkable testament to the power and ingenuity of the Roman Empire. The construction of this massive wall required the gathering of vast quantities of sandstone, sourced from various locations within the Roman Empire. The sandstone used in the wall was carefully selected for its strength, durability, and ability to withstand the harsh climate of the northern region. The material was also reused in other buildings within the communities that emerged in the centuries after the Roman Empire, showcasing the versatility and durability of the material.

In recent years, researchers have taken a geological approach to studying Hadrian's Wall, combining archaeological methods with geological analysis. By examining the fabric of the wall using a range of techniques, including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, petrographic microscopy, and thin sections, researchers have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the wall's construction and materials.

This study has revealed that the geology of the Walls landscape played a significant role in the selection and preparation of the sandstone used in the wall. The sandstone was sourced from different regions of the Roman Empire, each with its unique characteristics. The geological analysis has also revealed that the sandstone was prepared using a range of techniques, including cutting, shaping, and polishing.

In addition to the geological analysis, this study has also presented a significant set of new geological and archaeological data on the Walls stones from across the length of the wall. This data set has been collected in two complementary ways, providing a framework for geological analysis of the Wall supported by robust data.

While this study has shed light on the construction and materials of Hadrian's Wall, there are still many questions that remain unanswered. For example, the exact origin of the sandstone used in the wall is still not fully known, and the methods used to transport the sandstone to the construction site are still not fully understood. Future research will continue to explore these questions and shed more light on the remarkable legacy of Hadrian's Wall.

Weight: 960g
Dimension: 217 x 307 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259506