Monument record 8413/1 - Early Roman Barracks Block C at Princess Street

It is only at Barrack C that all six phases appear to be present; building debris believed to represent phase 1 structures were recorded beneath the remains of the final timber building. The phase 2 building at barrack 3 consisted of a timber frame with wattle and daub infill, internal floors of raised and joisted wood, and a tiled roof, implying a substantial and carefully designed superstructure. The north facing verandah had wooden posts at regular intervals supporting the roof while the eastern end appeared to be entirely enclosed. It has been suggested that this was used as a latrine pit. This was followed by the deliberate demolition and immediate reconstruction of the barracks in stone. In the third century there is evidence that the barracks was substantially rebuilt on new, higher, stone sills to accommodate a rise in the surrounding ground level as a result of road surfacing. Fourth century activity comprised alteration and repair to the building with evidence of re-roofing of the existing structure with micaceous sandstone and north Welsh slate. Legionary barrack blocks each accommodated a century of 80 men plus their officers, and were normally arranged in groups of 6 (a cohort of 480 men). Narrow streets gave access to facing pairs of barracks. The centurions' quarters were situated at the ends of the barracks, adjacent to a major road - either the perimeter road (via sagularis) or main transverse street (via principalis). The centurions' quarters were divided from those of the rank-and-file by a narrow alley. They were wider than the men's quarters but lacked a veranda. In ground plan they consisted of a corridor with rooms (including a private latrine) opening off on each side. The men's quarters consisted on 14 (later 11 or 12) units of two rooms for approximately eight men, fronted by a veranda that often contained an enclosed latrine at one end. The outer room was used to store equipment; the inner was for living and sleeping and contained a hearth. Only 10 pairs of rooms should have been needed to accommodate a century; the purpose of the spare rooms is uncertain. The first barracks were constructed using a timber frame with wattle-and-daub infilled panels. These timber barracks underwent a varying number of re-buildings in a relatively short period of time. From about AD 100, there was intermittent rebuilding in stone (perhaps with timber superstructures). However, there were also periods of abandonment. A comprehensive rebuilding was finally undertaken in the early third century. These barracks had much the same plan as their timber predecessors. A diminished number of barracks continued to be occupied into the fourth century.