GC2EGQB The Slack Romans - 5. Cambodunum (Traditional Cache) in Yorkshire, United Kingdom created by Arctic Donkey

This cache has been archived.

Dalesman: As there's been no cache to find for a long time, I'm archiving it to keep it from showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements.

Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.

GC2EGQB ▼

A cache by Arctic Donkey Message this owner

Hidden : 9/4/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Along the quiet road of Slack, this cache hides out of site, but close to the site of the old Roman Fort, Cambodumun.

This box has exchangeables in.

Please ensure it is rehidden well - it is NOT in the wall!

Welcome to my series of individual traditional caches around the “Slack” area of Outlane, near Huddersfield – you are welcome to do them as a series or as individuals. This series follows a 3km wander over paths and tracks, all public rights of way, alongside the M62 halfway between Leeds and Manchester.

Beware, at times these paths can be slippery, muddy and pass steep sections (especially in the Longwood Brook section) – care with self, with animals and especially with children. You should also be aware you are in farming country, and land-managed areas (including a golf course) so respect should be given to those who are trying to make an income from the outdoors.

Slack is Huddersfield’s grab at “Roman stuff”, with a site of a fortlet believed to have been referred to as Cambodunum (“the fortress of the crooked cow” – from the Welsh camm meaning crooked and the Gaelic bo meaning cow and Celtic dunon meaning fortress.

The Roman Fort at Slack

This fort measures 256 feet square (78 m²) within the defenses giving an occupation area of just 1½ acres (0.6 ha). It was defended by a 20 foot wide turf rampart, the outer wall of which was laid upon foundations of stone. There are two outer ditches, separated from the rampart by a berm, 5 feet wide. The ditches are not continuous; the outer ditch is not present on the southern defensive circuit, and there appear to be no ditches outside the southern half of the north-east rampart at all; the area possibly being used as a parade ground.

The fort was built during the Flavian period, probably c.AD80, the first buildings, including the gates, were of timber construction. The buildings were later part-replaced by stone, but the fort appears to have been abandoned before the work was complete, possibly because the auxilliary garrison had been moved to the northern frontier.

The fort was partially reconstructed during the first quarter of the second century, when its internal buildings were replaced in stone. The reconstruction was incomplete when the fort was abandoned in c.AD125. The original Flavian fort was occupied until the late-second or early-third centuries.

(Source (visit link) )

The Roman Route March:

Parking: Roadside above bus turning circle
Map: OL 288 if doing the series or not
Distance: Under 3km (as long as you do not get lost!!)
Start: Suggested in Outlane (ample roadside parking between bus turning circle and church on hardstanding/layby next to fields – yes it is public transport friendly)
Route: Follow public footpath between golf course and M62 and down to Longwood Brook (care alongside the beck), up Shaw Lane to and around Shaw Farm, and back over golf course footbridge (FB) to the Golf Club House (CH)into Slack and back under M62 to Outlane
Please follow country code and respect everything you see.

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The Slack Roman series of caches:

1. The Roman Lookout Pre 1972 (M62), a view across Kirklees and the ancient site of Castle Hill Nano

2. Stylus Maximus It may be a fair way to get there, but worth it all the same Micro

3. Crooked Cow View Gaze across farmland to the site of the fort Nano

4. The Power of the Roman Empire How did the Romans measure their power? Traditional (small)

5. Cambodunum The Fortress of the Crooked Cow Traditional (large)

6. The Roman Travelbug Villa

Good luck and happy searching…

Arctic Donkey

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oruvaq gur jnyy, arkg gb gerr, n pnpur sbe nyy, ohg abg gb frr!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)