ABSTRACT
Studies of urban smellscapes are often based on detailed contemporary reports and social studies and, crucially, are informed by geographical theory, but reconstructing the smellscapes of archaeological sites for which we cannot conduct these types of survey presents challenges. This chapter explores the case study of the Roman fort and vicus at Vindolanda in order to demonstrate that it is possible to better understand the way in which individuals experienced the smellscape afforded by this Roman fort. This study demonstrates that a sensory approach can further nuance our understanding of life at Roman military sites in the northern frontier region. The reason for choosing Vindolanda as a case study is that the site's (third-century ce) ground plan is well known. Additionally, the nature of recent archaeological work at the site, in both the fort and the vicus, coupled with favourable taphonomic conditions, has contributed to a good understanding of the use of space at the site.
