GC4AM94 Birmingham's Roman Fort's (Metchley) (Traditional Cache) in West Midlands, United Kingdom created by incey42

This cache has been archived.

geohatter: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Regards

Paul
geohatter - Volunteer UK Reviewer www.geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching Help Center

GC4AM94 ▼

A cache by incey42 Message this owner

Hidden : 7/4/2013

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Magnetic nano hidden on one of Birmingham's oldest archaeological sites, the Roman fort's of Metchley. Situated along a public footpath near Birmingham Universitys' Medical School, new and old Queen Elizabeth Hospital's and Birmingham Women's Hospital.

Little did I realise during the 15 years working at the local hospital I had frequently walked over a Roman fort that lay directly beneath my feet. So I thought I'd place this cache to help highlight one of Birmingham's important historical sites.

Metchley was an important site 2,000 years ago and archaeological excavations have revealed there were two forts situated here, one replacing the other. The first fort was built in AD 48, five years after the Roman invasion of Britain, as part of a chain of military posts across the Midlands. It was occupied for 10 years before it was converted into a storage depot, which was replaced by a smaller fort. It is likely that the rebuilding of the fort came as a reaction to civil unrest due to the uprising of Queen Boudica. The smaller fort was in use for a further fifteen or twenty years before the army moved on. However, civilian activity at the site continued upto AD 200 when the fort was abandoned for good.

The forts were built of earth and timber and nothing is visible above ground. However remains discovered during archaeological digs have allowed for the various historical interpretations of the site.

Please take the time to read the information boards at GZ. There is an additional information board situated along the footpath near the plaza of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital and you will also see many impressive reconstructed earth works detailing how the fort would have looked 2,000 years ago. Walking along the footpath on the hill leading to the maternity hospital you can also see the dilapidated remains of the wooden NE annexe corner tower which was reconstructed in 1956

High muggle area so please take care not to be spotted when retrieving and replacing the cache.

For more information and to download a pamphlet concerning Metchley's Roman fort. Click here.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vasbezngvba obneq

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)