Hadrian’s wall preserved for the next generation

A Newcastle-led project has ensured the preservation of Hadrian's wall for years to come.

Ella Winskell
1st December 2022
Image credit: Geograph
Braving the elements, farm activity, becoming a UNESCO tourism hotspot. If keeping warring northern clans out wasn’t hard enough after a near 1900 years of security Hadrien’s Wall was starting to show signs of damage and collapse. In recent years sections of the wall were added to Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register. 

That was until a Newcastle led project launched in 2019 helped to save, rebuild, and protect parts of the historic structure. The Hadrian's Wall Community Archaeology Project, or WallCAP, recruited almost 400 volunteers. They were taught specialist skills in digital surveying, terrestrial laser scanning as well as informing them on the practice of conservation and geological work before employing them in the lofty project of restoring and protecting the 73 mile Roman structure. 

A Newcastle led project launched in 2019 helped to save, rebuild, and protect parts of the historic structure

At the National Trust owned Steel Rigg site in collaboration with historic England volunteers covered the wall in turf and stones to discourage walkers and tourists from climbing over the wall with specialist stonemasons repairing the deeply damaged part of the wall. 

Dr Rob Collins, WallCAP project manager and Newcastle archaeology lecturer, said about the endeavor and its results “a genuine pleasure to see that the work of WallCAP and its hundreds of volunteers has had such a positive impact for heritage. Hadrian’s Wall is so important to the economies and wellbeing of local communities in the North East and North West, and it is vital that we look after our heritage, not only for current communities but also for future generations.” 

Eight sections of the wall were removed from the ‘Heritage at Risk’ register in its annual review this year as a result of the project and the community that supported it. 

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