Hadrian's Wall Significance

Hadrian's Wall is part of the wider World Heritage Site called the Frontiers of the Roman Empire.

The contribution of the Wall to the overall significance of this larger Site is expressed in this Contributory Statement.

STATEMENT OF THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE FOR THE FRONTIERS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY ITS COMPONENT PART HADRIAN’S WALL ('The Contributory Statement')

Hadrian’s Wall (inscribed 1987)

Brief Synthesis

Running from the mouth of the River Tyne in the east to the Solway estuary in the west, Hadrian’s Wall was a continuous linear barrier across northern Britain, protecting the empire from the tribes to the north. Begun  c. AD 122, it remained in use until c AD 400. Originally of dressed stone construction and reaching c 5 m in height and fronted by a ditch, the Wall had milecastles (fortlets) every mile, with two turrets (watchtowers) in each interval. Larger forts were spaced along or just behind the Wall, and the rear of the immediate military zone was defined by a ditch flanked by banks (the Vallum). Additionally there were linking roads, outpost and hinterland forts and supply depots. The frontier was extended down the west (Cumbrian) coast by a chain of forts, fortlets and watchtowers. The Wall was in the main carefully sited to make the best use of the natural topography of the terrain through which it passed, particularly in its central upland sector

For the most part, the frontier still lies in open country, although parts in urban Tyneside and Carlisle are covered by subsequent urban development. Its line can be easily perceived and many parts have been excavated and conserved for display to the public. Its siting in the landscape can also easily be appreciated and it has strongly influenced the subsequent development of that landscape. 

The contribution of this part of the Frontier to the Outstanding Universal Value of the FRE WHS is expressed as follows:

Hadrian’s Wall is the most elaborately designed and constructed element of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire. 

Hadrian's Wall is an outstanding example of a fortified frontier constructed in turf and  dressed stone, which illustrates an ambitious and coherent system of defensive constructions perfected by engineers over the course of several generations. Whether with respect to military architectural construction techniques, to strategic design in the Imperial period or to the  policy and  organisation of space in a frontier zone, the universal value of this cultural property is in no doubt. This military zone bears exceptional testimony to Roman acculturation in  the large number of human settlements associated with the defences. The vicus of Vindolanda, for example, is an excellent example of a garrison settlement which contributes to an understanding of how, in times of peace, away from the entrenched camp, soldiers and their families lived.

Occupied for nearly three centuries, the Wall exerted great influence on the spatial organisation of the north of the Roman Province of Britain and is still a part of the landscape from the Tyne to the Solway and the Irish Sea coast. 

Integrity and Authenticity

Integrity

The World Heritage property includes sufficient of the impressive archaeological remains above and below ground necessary for understanding its outstanding universal value; these remains  demonstrate why it is an exceptional example of the use of artificial barriers in the planning and use of l Roman frontiers.

Running from coast to coast, the property is of adequate size despite the exclusion of undesignated elements of the Frontier in the urban areas of Newcastle and Carlisle. The property also includes an outpost fort and some hinterland forts of the Wall. Of the two urban settlements (Carlisle and Corbridge) which provided logistic support to the frontier, Corbridge is included in the inscribed property. Future inclusion of additional elements should be considered in order to improve the integrity of the property.

The property is generally well preserved either as below ground archaeology or as upstanding stone structures which are well conserved or as earthworks. The affects of arable agriculture in the eastern area need to be carefully monitored and there in future there may be some pressure on Roman remains from urban development. The National Trail which follows the line of the Frontier is carefully monitored and managed to avoid erosion. In rural areas, there is the risk of development, such as wind turbines, in the setting of the property which could affect understanding of Roman military planning and land use in this landscape.

Authenticity

Most of the property consists of archaeological remains above and below ground and these have high levels of authenticity of materials and substance. The form and design of the frontier, in particular its linear character, and its architectural and military elements are still easy to understand and its location and setting in the landscape can be clearly appreciated.  Many upstanding parts of the property have been conserved in accordance with the highest standards and are in a good state of repair.

Management and Protection

The UK Government protects World Heritage Sites in England in two ways. Firstly, individual buildings, monuments, gardens and landscapes are designated under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act  and secondly through the UK Spatial Planning system under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

National guidance on protecting the historic environment is contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and its supporting Planning Policy Guidance. The latter has a specific section on World Heritage Sites. Good Practice Advice notes are also being prepared by English Heritage. Policies to protect, promote, conserve and enhance World Heritage Sites, their settings and buffer zones can be found in local authority strategies plans and frameworks. Through the work of the Inter-Governmental Committee, the UK government will ensure that this component of the World Heritage property is managed in accordance with the overall governance principles of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire.

All parts of Hadrian’s Wall within the World Heritage property are currently protected by designation under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act. The site benefits from other designations such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Roman Wall Escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are appropriate policies in local authority spatial plans. There is an extensive buffer zone to protect the property from development which could affect the ability to appreciate its Roman military planning and land use which is such a significant contributor to OUV. In the urban areas the buffer zone serves to protect those elements of the frontier  that ar. e not protected by scheduling. Parts of the property are managed by eight different bodies for public access but the vast bulk is in private ownership.

Hadrian’s Wall has had a Management Plan since 1996. It has been regularly updated, most recently in 2014/5.  Relevant policies carry weight in the planning system. The property has a Committee of key local stakeholders who oversee the monitoring, implementation and review of the Management Plans. The Management Plan is implemented by the various stakeholders and the coordination of activities along the Wall is carried out by a Management Plan Coordinator based within Northumberland County Council  Along a property of this length and size it is very important to monitor pressures and to ensure consistent standards of development control and management.

The full Statement, of whic this is an extract, is available here: The Frontiers of the Roman Empire SOUV