Normandykes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Normandykes (Grid Reference: NO 830994)[2] is the site of a Roman marching camp 1 mile (1.6 km) to the southwest of Peterculter, City of Aberdeen, Scotland.[3][4] The near-rectangular site, measuring approximately 860 by 510 metres (940 by 560 yd), covers about 106 acres (43 ha) of the summit and eastern slopes of a hill overlooking the River Dee and the B9077 road further south.[5] Aerial photographs for Normandykes have been archived between 1947 and 1976.[6] The camp is about 6 miles (10 km), or less than half a day's march, north of the Raedykes camp. It is possible that the actual route taken would have entailed one day's march, over a route likely chosen to avoid the Red Moss, a virtually uncrossable bog near the present day village of Netherley.
Normandykes site in May 2009 | |
 Interactive map of Normandykes | |
| Location | Peterculter, Aberdeen City, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 57.085°N 2.283°W |
| Type | Roman marching camp |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 1-250 AD |
| Periods | Roman Iron Age[1] |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | Yes |
| Official name | Normandykes, Roman camp |
| Type | Roman: camp |
| Designated | 11 November 1964 |
| Reference no. | SM2478 |
Normandykes was first mentioned as Norman's Dyke and interpreted as a Danish Camp in 1795,[7] but then corrected in the New Statistical Account of 1845 as Roman.[8]
The camp was first excavated in the year 1935 by Richmond and MacIntyre;[9] construction is thought to date to the Antonine or Severan periods.
The site is designated a scheduled monument.[10]
