The Barrack Block

Managed by North East Museums on behalf of South Tyneside Council

The Barrack Block

The reconstructed third century barrack block at Arbeia authentically replicates original Roman construction techniques and materials.

An authentic Roman reconstruction

Whitewashed reconstruction of a Roman building. Roman shields in front of building.

The reconstructed barrack is rebuilt as it would have looked in the third century. Unlike the other two reconstructed buildings on the site, it has been built using the same methods and materials which would have been used in the original building.

The walls outside are stone bonded with clay. The internal partitions are wooden frameworks plastered with clay and then whitewashed. The main roof timbers are made of oaks and support a covering of tiles pierced at intervals with ventilators.

The barrack has five suites of rooms, each suite could accommodate up to eight soldiers. A total of 40 soldiers lived in the building.

The officer in charge of the soldiers had a much larger suite at the end of the barrack. He may have shared this with family and his household.