Gallic Wall

 

Roman Temporary Field Fortifications

 

From Right to Left The ditch in front of the wall (Fosse), The wall itself (Vallus??), made of stone, with a rubble filled interior, and the tower with (four platforms), Note the scorpion on the third level, and the fire basket for signals on the top level. Behind the wall is the legionary living quarters, with a below ground storeroom.

Roman Bridge End View -- Pontoon

 

Roman Bridge Segment, side view -- Wooden Pontoon

 

The top part of the bridge is made up of special five sided timber constructions laid carefully on the stone footings built in the river in created coffer dams. At least five of these timber structures are placed side by side on the stone footings and tied together with crossbeams which form the basis of the bridge floor. Planks are then laid upon these timbers, and on them turf or dirt and brush to soften the impact of wagon wheels on the bridge planks.

Segment of a Roman Bridge and Wooden Pontoon

 

Top View.

"Tulip" Field, another view

 

"Tulip" Field

 

"Tulip" are holes dug in the ground, approximately one yard wide at the top and one yard deep. A sharpened stake is sunk into the bottom of the hole and usually smeared with human feces or others material to create a very bad wound. The tulips are dug in lines which are offset from each other in order to prevent an attacker from finding a path through the field. The first eight holes that you see are uncovered in the left half of the picture. In the right half of the picture the eight "tulips" are covered with light brush to hide them. "Tulip" are anti=personnel field fortifications, and have been used since before the Roman Republic to defend areas fro foot infantry.