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All the United Kingdom England Cumbria Epiacum
AO Edited

Epiacum

A well-preserved 2nd century fort where moles are the archaeologists.

Cumbria, England

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Allison Meier
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Epiacum from above   Epiacum
Molehill survey at Epiacum   Epiacum
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October 2024   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Epiacum (also known in English as 'Whitley Castle') is a Roman fort built in the 2nd-century. It has several unusual features, including a lozenge instead of a rectangular shape and a series of dramatic banks and ditches along the sloping hillside.

It's speculated that the fort was built as a defense for the nearby silver and lead mines, as well as providing support for the fortifications of Hadrian's Wall.

The isolated site has been abandoned since the 4th century, and as a protected Scheduled Ancient Monument, the secrets beneath its earthen walls are only excavated by the moles that live in its grounds. These moles, which each can dig around 60 feet of tunnels a day, push shards of pottery, beads, and other artifacts to the surface, collected by volunteers in an annual molehill survey.

Since 2012, a not-for-profit company has developed a program of events at the site. Information can be found on their website.

Related Tags

Animals Cultures And Civilizations Roman Forts

Know Before You Go

Parking is available at The Nook Farm Shop and Cafe. A small donation is requested to visit the fort. It's easily found through the gate in the car park and up the hill on the right.

The Pennine Way also skirts around the base of the fort, and Kirkhaugh station on the South Tynedale Railway is a short distance away.

Community Contributors

Added By

Allison

Edited By

wideeye, aribrown, jooniur, rbenn250...

  • wideeye
  • aribrown
  • jooniur
  • rbenn250
  • DMStephenson

Published

May 9, 2013

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Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-22363936
  • http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/05/06/moles-help-epiacum-yield-its-roman-secrets-61634-33287562/
Epiacum
Cumbria, England, CA9
United Kingdom
54.832466, -2.476558
Visit Website

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