Prehistory

Pre Roman Habitation
Little is known of habitation of the site prior to pre Roman occupation. A flint sickle was found on the site in 1929 and in 1992 a Neolithic stone axe was also found, although some experts suggest that this could have originally been brought to the Roman site as a curiosity.

c 600 BC to 200 AD
During this period the area now known as Newcastle lay within the tribal area of the Votadini/ Brigantes. Excavations of the Castle Garth area uncovered plough marks under the foundations of the later stone Roman Fort indicating agricultural use during this period. [click for larger image]