Professor Rob Collins

The economy is restabilizing.

At different parts of the Roman Empire, we're seeing a more economic boom and expansion.

You know, there are many challenges, but in the mid-4th century, the Roman Empire is looking good.

That changes through the course of the later 4th century.

And I think it's fair to say that by the end of the 4th century, Britain is much lower in priorities because there are problems closer to home.

In this sense, Rome or more likely Ravenna.

the imperial court there.

But Hadrian's Wall still exists.

It's still occupied.

It's still, as far as we can tell, the curtain, the wall element itself is still being maintained.

There are still mile castles and turrets and forts being occupied.

It's a bit different from when it was built.

There are fewer turrets.

So we know a number of turrets, the towers that you find roughly every one-third of a Roman mile.

And if you remember that each mile castle has a tower on the North Gate, then effectively every third of a mile you have some sort of tower or elevated platform.

a number of those turrets.

We can't be sure how many because we've not excavated all of the turrets, but we do know a number of those turrets were abandoned and in fact some of them were outright demolished in the later second century.

So within a hundred years of the wall's construction there is a shift in the security situation in the landscape that means they can modify Hadrian's Wall.

but not all turrets are given up.

Some turrets are retained.