Arbeia

South Sheilds is a former coastal shipbuilding  town in northeast  England. A short distance inland from the  South Shields seafront and just south of the River Tyne is the Arbeia Roman Fort. Arbeia is  the most extensively excavated military supply base in the former Roman Empire. Today it is a mix of excavated foundations  and reconstructed buildings  alongside a museum  with some amazing  artefacts. 

It sits on the edge of  an early 20th century  housing estate  and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site  where the  full-scale Roman reconstructions are reputed to be the best example in the country.  The site  showcases some of the most significant finds from the Roman occupation of Britain, particularly  from the period after the construction of Hadrian's Wall. At its peak Arbeia was a military supply depot supporting 17 forts along the length of Hadrian's  Wall and housed numerous granaries. The site was originally constructed  around 125 AD.

The site was discovered in 1875 when farmland was sold off for the construction  of housing. Although some of the footprint  of the fort was built on the majority has been protected, excavated and exposed to the public. The  quality of finds at the site initially  caused archeologists to doubt their authenticity  but later excavations have confirmed  the quality and importance  of the remains.

A Roman gatehouse, barracks buildings  and the commanding officer's house have been reconstructed on the original foundations.