The Annexe of the Roman Fort at Slack, West Yorkshire: Excavations by B.R. Hartley in 1968–9

Abstract

AbstractThis paper represents the final publication of excavations by Brian Hartley in the northern annexe of the Roman fort at Slack, West Yorkshire, carried out half a century ago, but still providing rare evidence for activity within an annexe and the nature of its defences. Hartley concluded that the annexe enclosed a civilianvicusof Trajanic–Hadrianic date, although its defensive enclosure was provided only in the Hadrianic period. This report upholds that conclusion. In the light of recent claims of later Roman occupation at Slack, Hartley's conclusion that the site was abandoned byc.a.d.140 is examined and upheld. It is proposed that a second annexe at Slack enclosed the fort baths (and possibly amansio) and by examining the Slack annexes in the context of other fort/annexe plans an attempt is made to distinguish between annexes enclosing fortviciand those enclosing official or military activities.