The initial discovery was made near Vindolanda, where remote sensing technology identified a complex network of timber-framed buildings buried beneath centuries of soil. Unlike known auxiliary forts, these structures lacked permanent administrative buildings, suggesting they were temporary housing units designed for quick deployment and disassembly. Analysis of pollen and biological residue within the site indicates the camps were active during the late second century AD, a period marked by increased tension with the Pictish tribes. The sheer volume of discarded Roman hobnails and standardized military equipment points to the mobilization of thousands of troops beyond standard garrison strength.

This evidence supports the theory that Rome maintained a massive, rotating military reserve specifically for the northern frontier. The most intriguing find is a partially intact lead scroll detailing supply requisitions, which lists quantities of food and weaponry far exceeding the needs of the documented resident garrison, further bolstering the argument for significant transient forces.

The ongoing work demonstrates that monuments like Hadrian's Wall are dynamic historical landscapes, continually revealing new secrets that complicate and enrich our understanding of ancient empires and their strategies for securing far-flung territories against persistent threat. The project exemplifies how non-invasive technology is revolutionizing archaeology by allowing us to see beneath the surface without disturbing fragile historical contexts.