Mons Graupius Contender: Carey
Introduction
Carey is located in farmland at Abernethy in Perthshire at the junction of the River Earn with the Tay. It fronts the conspicuous Castle Law which rises from the low flat plain – circa +20m OD – that the marching camp is situated on up to +249m OD at its summit.
Roman Scotland identified the viability of this site in 2008. At the time of visiting the site its greatest interest was the size of the proven Flavian marching camp there, part of the Dunning – Carpow series which are noteworthy in being the correct size and capacity to hold the size of force we have calculated Agricola fielded at Mons Graupius.
However while walking the site and closely inspecting the names of local topographical features we identified for the first time the “Croupie Craigs”, clearly the original name for the hill – latterly renamed and now termed Castle Law.
As a direct rendering of Croup or Croupi this rates as evidence of exceptional importance.
A: Campaigning
Is the site located in an area of known Flavian campaigning?
Yes
Is the Flavian activity in the area likely to be Agricolan?
Yes
B: Marching Camps
Is there a marching camp in the vicinity of the site?
Yes, Carey.
Is the marching camp located close to the site?
Yes
Does the marching camps position and orientation “address” the site?
Yes
Does the marching camp display Flavian characteristics?
Yes, the camp has Flavian morphology which is further confirmed by pottery sherds datable to the Flavian period found there.
Is the size of the marching camp reasonably close to the 117 acre criteria required to accommodate 26,000 men?
Yes, at 113.8 acres it is capable of accommodating 25,300 men.
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
The Castle Law outcrop has a frontage facing the camp of about 2km which is rather too narrow to have caused Agricola concern for his flanks.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
No, the Carey Stank is likely an improved modern field drainage feature.
Does the site have a “plain” at the foot of the hill suitable for the recorded chariot action?
Yes
Is the hill of an appropriate gradient for:
- The Caledonians to be marshalled and advance down and around? No, the Craigs in part have severe gradients.
- A realistic Roman assault up? As above.
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
Yes, broken upland setting.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
Yes, access via lighters on the lower reaches of the River Earn is immediately available, it is not however a noteworthy march to the marching camp at Carpow unless encumbered with a large number of wounded and prisoners.
Is the likely point of contact with the fleet consistent with the broad strategy and location of the Roman fleet on the east coast?
Yes
Can the “Boresti” be identified locally?
Yes, Horrea in Fife.
Are there known marching camps which hint at Agricola’s movements after leaving the site of battle?
Yes, Carpow.
Is the sites location consistent with the position chosen the following year for the siting of the legionary fortress of Inchtuthil?
Yes, Inchtuthil is sited aggressively – but not too far - in advance of this contending battle site.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons “Graupius” could be derived?
Yes, Croupie Craigs located on the Castle Law outcrop is the best etymology available anywhere, and linked to evidence at Dunning is extremely compelling.
Summary
Considerable interest attaches to this site and its credentials, 15 appropriate answers out of a possible 19 are sufficient to rate this site as a “strong contender”.
The size of the battlefield however is restricted, and the gradients on the hill are too steep to be practical.
The marching camps association though with the similarly sized examples at Dunning and Carpow sheds light on the movements of the force that encamped there and this is dateable to the Flavian period by the pottery recovered at Carey.
The philological evidence brought to bear by Croupie Craigs is evidence of the very highest calibre.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Carpow
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
