Mr. G. Tate on Roman Remains found at Adderstone. 263 



268) : reverse^ a female seated, holding out her hand to two 

 naked children ; legend, PIETAS AVG. 



Eight small brasses of Postumus (a.d. 260 to 267) : obverse, 

 bust with a radiated crown ; on the reverse of the most distinct 

 is a figure standing, with a mantle passing from the left 

 shoulder around the body, the right arm being extended; 

 legend, PAX AVG. 



The other relics are — a brass beam in good condition, 7| inches 

 long ; it is round, hut flattened in the centre, which is perforated, 

 and at the two extremities, which are also perforated; — a small 

 brass scale, such as is now used by apothecaries ; — two circular 

 lumps of lead, convex on one surface and flat on the other, pro- 

 bably weights, the larger weighing 2 J oz. and the smaller 1^ oz. ; 

 — a portion of horse furniture made of lead, having two rings 

 connected by a twisted rope-like bar. 



The coins represent a period of about 150 years; the earliest 

 being about a.d. 117, and the latest about a.d. 267. They had 

 been concealed in the reign of Postumus or shortly after, for 

 there are no coins later than his reign, and several of his are in 

 good condition, evidencing that they had not been long in cir- 

 culation ; and this view is rendered more probable from the fact 

 that the period when Postumus and the other thirty tyrants 

 usurped power, was one of great disorder and insecurity. Some 

 timid inhabitant of the district fearing plunderers hid his little 

 property in a wood, which in course of time was converted into 

 a bog, and there it lay concealed for 1 600 years, till modern im- 

 provements brought it to light. 



The neighbourhood of Adderstone had undoubtedly, during 

 the Roman occupation of Britain, been frequently the scene 

 of conflict, for there are military remains in the district. About 

 half a mile northward is a round camp, such as is generally 

 referred to the ancient Britons. On Spindleston Crags is 

 another of a similar description, but larger and more elaborately 

 fortified; westward from that is another, of a crescent-shape, 

 overlooking the Warn ; and on the north side of the Warn is a 

 Roman camp of a square form, which is represented to be the 

 Castrum ulterius, or out-fort to defend the pass of the river and 

 harbour. The hamlet near to it, formerly called Ulchester, still 

 retains the name of Outchester. 



