The Roman army was built on precision - a military machine with legions of disciplined soldiers.

But it seems not even the hardiest of their men and the most skilled of their stonemasons were a match for the banks of the River Tyne.

Excavations in Wallsend, North Tyneside have revealed that a stretch of nearby Hadrian's Wall, which crossed a small valley and stream, collapsed several times during a number of landslides.

Excavations at Segedunum fort at Wallsend in North Tyneside has revealed that a stretch of nearby Hadrian's Wall collapsed several times because of the instability of the surrounding land

Archaeologists have revealed that on one occasion the Romans tried to solve the problem by rebuilding the collapsed section with much bigger blocks of stone, possibly recycled from the nearby fort.

It also indicates that they felt it was necessary to maintain and rebuild the wall late into the Roman occupation.

Digs over the last two years have shown that the building suffered from a landslip after being constructed on the valley slope, although the exact dates have not yet been established

The stretch of wall was rebuilt, as was the bath house, but to a different design.

Now work has begun to consolidate and put on permanent display the 50-metre (164ft) length of wall and the bath house remains, where a viewing platform will be provided.

It is part of a project, funded by a £500,000 ($76,400) grant, to improve Segedunum as a visitor destination.

Archaeologists have revealed that on one occasion the Romans tried to solve the problem by rebuilding the collapsed section with much bigger blocks of stone (pictured), probably recycled from the fort

Hadrian's Wall, which stretches across northern England, was built in 122 AD on the orders of the Roman emperor Hadrian to mark his empire's northern frontier

The digs were carried out by volunteers from the WallQuest community archaeology project, which recently uncovered the fort's baths.

MONUMENT FROM THE ANCIENT ERA Hadrian's Wall, which stretches across northern England, was built in 122 AD on the orders of the Roman emperor Hadrian to mark his empire's northern frontier. It took eight years to build the 73-mile (117km) long wall from the Solway Firth to Wallsend on the Tyne. It is believed to have provided a barrier between Roman Britain and Scotland and is thought to have been where the army could determine who was allowed access to the empire. It remained in use until the early fifth century when, with the empire collapsing and the city of Rome itself under threat, the Romans left British shores. It is the largest monument from the ancient era in northern Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Advertisement

WallQuest project officer Dr Nick Hodgson said: 'Usually the line of Hadrian's Wall in urban Tyneside consists only of scraps and foundations because the land has been ploughed or the monument has been robbed of stone.

'But because the section of wall crossed the valley, it survives several courses high as the valley filled up with silt and soil, encasing and preserving the remains.

'It is in an exceptional state of preservation for urban Tyneside.'

The digs, which have unearthed around a third of the baths' site, have also revealed features such as its cold room, tepid room and large heated hall.

It was probably built on the valley slope to access water from the stream via an aqueduct but had to be reconstructed after a landslip.

'The valley and the stream caused the same structural problems at the wall and the baths,' said Dr Hodgson.

A management plan for the fort has been drawn up by Newcastle architects Tench Maddison Ash to provide a long-term vision for the site, which is run by Tyne Wear Archives and Museums.

This includes improving the link between the fort and the Hadrian's Wall national trail.

Digs have shown that the building suffered from a landslip after being constructed on the valley slope, although the exact dates have not yet been established. The discoveries were made by volunteers from the WallQuest community archaeology project, which recently uncovered baths on the site of Segedunum Fort

Now work has begun to consolidate, and put on permanent display, the 50-metre (164ft) length of wall (section pictured) and the bath house remains, where a viewing platform will be provided

Other ideas include a Roman herb garden and Roman-themed children's play area.

The funding is part of the Northern Powerhouse initiative and work will be complete by April.

Iain Watson, director of Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums, said: 'This is fantastic news not just for our visitors, but the region and the overall understanding of Hadrian's Wall.

'To be able to incorporate the original bath house into the museum site, and preserve even more of the wall itself, is incredible.

'We are looking forward to presenting the new improved Segedunum to visitors next year.'

'The excavation and research at Segedunum lends several additions to current knowledge of the Wall. Evidence of Roman maintenance and structural adaptations spanning 100 years proves the upkeep of the both the bath house and the Wall,' added Dr Hodgson.

Historical reports claim it took eight years to build the 73-mile long (117km) Hadrian's wall from the Solway Firth to Wallsend on the Tyne

Segedunum was a Roman fort that lay at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall in Wallsend. It was used as a garrison for approximately 300 years up to around 400AD (remains pictured)