Mons Graupius Contender: Dunning
Introduction
Feacham proposed the site of Dun Knock on the fringes of the town of Dunning in Strathearn in 1970.
The extent of the marching camp at Dunning was at that time improperly understood and Feacham suggested that it was a small Stracathro gated Roman marching camp that faced the small hillock of Dun Knock near the Duncrub Burn. In so doing he hypothesised an alternative reading of Tacitus to suit the smaller scale of the action that the (alleged) small camp and small hill would allow.
The same year however St Joseph using aerial photography found that the marching camp was in fact much larger, and indeed did not have clavicular gateways. The battle here therefore – not least as St Joseph was soon actively promoting the site at Bennachie - was dismissed as Dun Knock was – rather unfairly - considered “an insignificant pimple”.
Further findings on the site proved of continuing interest. Aerial photography again demonstrated that the small hillock was the site of a multi vallate iron-age hill fort, proving therefore that the Duncrub Burn took its name from the fort. Dun Knock therefore was a later Gaelic name simply meaning Fort Hill.
One of the factors that had originally drawn Feacham`s attention was the work of Watson in 1926 who philologically linked Duncrub to the early medieval battle of Dorsum Crup.
Dorsum Crup is an excellent etymological link to Mons Graupius, Dorsum being a later Latin reference to ridgeline. Crup is to all intents the same as Croup, the original root word we are searching for.
At some time in the intervening centuries, certainly in the post medieval period, the “P” has changed to a “B”. Like Croupie Craigs at nearby Carey this stands as evidence of the highest calibre for the original place name of Mons Graupius.
Roman Scotland visited the site in 2007 and on several occasions in 2008. The hillock of Dun Knock on the southern fringe of Venicone territory is indeed diminutive and could not possibly have held 30,000 Caledonians in battle array.
The land behind Dun Knock however - mentioned only fleetingly by Fraser who was held in thrall with the Gask Ridge in the other direction – is occupied by the Clevage hills and the setting here is outstanding.
It certainly does not rival Bennachie, the Lomond Hills or nearby Craig Rossie in terms of the “picturesque”, however while walking the ground it is clear it would allow the events recorded by Tacitus to be played out with ease. Roman Scotland therefore identified the site on the Clevage Hills in 2007, revisiting the site several times in 2008 to check our findings.
The Clevage Hills are a recognised constituent part of the Ochils “Northern Hills”, a rolling ridgeline (Dorsum) that stretch from Craig Rossie, past Dunning and, fronting the River Earn, along to at least as far as Carpow on the Tay.
The proposed Caledonian position is on the slopes of the Clevage Hills which stretch for some 3km from Middle Third to Craigenroe Hill (circa +290m OD).
The Roman auxiliaries will have deployed out of the side of their camp and marshalled their battleline on the approximate line of the modern Bridge of Earn Road (circa +50m OD) centred near Garvock.
An initial Roman deployment 1.5 km wide will indeed have been menaced by the length of the Caledonians position on the Clevage Hills and a redeployment to 2.7 km width will have to an extent countered this threat.
The local feature Bogtonlea suggests that boggy ground lay to the Romans flank and rear near Nethergarvock which explains the position chosen by the Romans for their camp on the slightly higher ground fronting the hillfort on Dun Croup / Crub – fort at the Croup or as it latterly came to be known in Gaelic speaking Scots times; Dun Knock.
The legionaries and Agricola’s cavalry reserve may have deployed out of the front of the camp, and were probably positioned here behind Dun Knock – crowned with its multi vallate hill fort - where they would be hidden from the Caledonians on the Clevage Hills but located sufficiently close to be able to intervene in a matter of only a few minutes if required.
Tacitus tells us they were held in reserve and Maxwell in 1990 cogently argued that the cavalry reserve (at least) had to be held in a position where they would be hidden from the Caledonians in order for their eventual counter attack to be launched to such cataclysmic effect, no doubt on account of the surprise of their sudden appearance on the battlefield at the critical moment.
These are points which we shall return to.
This location also convincingly explains Tacitus own much misunderstood phrase, the legions were stationed “pro vallum” . This phrase is usually now – not entirely satisfactorily - translated as “in front of their marching camps defences”. A superior reading would fit at Dunning; i.e. before the (hillforts) ramparts.
The Caledonian position is bounded on its flanks to the west by the Dunning Burn and further to the east by the Water of May. Behind the Clevage Hills ridgeline lies a high plateau and this is protected by the curving course of the Water of May. This would make an excellent and readily defendable Caledonian hosting place, as well as being suitable ground for the post battle events recorded by Tacitus to unfold over.
Dunning in Strathearn is only slightly off the Romans likely axis of advance along Strathallan, but close enough for the Caledonians to have monitored the Roman’s movements and easily move to intercept them if required, or alternatively to use the sites central location to outflank the Romans in one of several possible directions.
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
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
Is the size of the marching camp reasonably close to the 117 acre criteria required to accommodate 26,000 men?
Yes, at 116.3 acres it can accommodate 25,800 men.
C: Site topography
Is the site of an appropriate size to accommodate the forces engaged?
Yes, the Clevage Hills between Middle Third and Craigenroe Hill extends to 3km.
Does the critical area of the engagement include terrain or features which are specifically inconsistent with Tacitus account?
No. The features of the site are an extremely good fit to Tacitus description. The multi-vallate hillfort on Duncrub hillock in front of the marching camp could explain Tacitus description of legionary deployment pro vallum – before the ramparts. The watercourses on the site are generally small or of no consequence to the events described by Tacitus.
The dip in the ground and burn near Ha’ castle is behind the eventual Roman battleline and would not have had a great influence on events.
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? Yes, very appropriate.
- A realistic Roman assault up? Yes
Does the countryside behind the Caledonian position have terrain consistent with the actions recorded in the immediate aftermath of the battle?
Yes, an upland setting with broken ground.
Can reasonably ready access to the fleet (approx a day or twos march) be achieved from the sites location?
Yes, the Tay.
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 addressed locally?
Yes, Horrea in Fife.
Are there known marching camps which hint at Agricola’s movements after leaving the site of battle?
Yes, matching sized and shaped camp at Carey (11 miles = 1 slow days march) on the Earn, then Carpow beyond at the Earns outflow into the Tay.
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 battle site.
D: The Sites Name
Is there evidence in the locality for names from which Mons “Graupius” could be derived?
Yes, Duncrub has been philologically equated to derive from the early medieval battle of Dorsum Crup.
Dorsum = spine or ridge, Crup is a recognised derivative of Croup. This is excellent etymology and is an exceptional piece of evidence.
Summary
Dunning is unique among all the contenders in achieving 19 appropriate answers out of a possible 19. This is outstanding and of exceptional importance.
The cumulative importance of;
- a camp which is of correct size and Flavian morphology,
- a site with the best philological links,
- a site of an appropriate size and lacking features inconsistent with Tacitus account of the battle,
- a tribal mustering point sensibly located on the southern reaches of the threatened tribes lands and one from which the tribes could undertake one of several strategic options depending on how the Romans advanced into their lands
….cannot be understated. 19 out of 19 (100%) rates this contending site as one with exceptional credentials.
NEXT PAGE: The Contenders: Fendoch
©2009 Roman Scotland. All Rights Reserved
First Published February 2009
