File talk:Pons Aelius overheadYD.jpg
Fort Layout Description
[edit]This fort is unusual in that it is considerably smaller than most other forts. It is speculated its construction/reconstruction was later than most other forts on Hadrian's Wall, with experience gained from fort building on the Antonine Wall, which closer resemble this fort. There are also suggestions that due to the forts small size, parts of its garrison would have been housed in adjacent milecastles and a possible other fort to the south of the bridge, in Gateshead.
The location of the granaries, commandants house and praetorium are verifiable by archaeological evidence. Other buildings are conjectural. It is not known whether the fort was joined to Hadrian's wall or not, or how far north of the fort the wall was located.
An extensive discussion of the subject can be found here:
http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=21936&start=120