I 1 2 THE EARLY DEFENSIVE EARTHWORK ON COMB MOSS. 



" Length of the South end 163 yards. The East side, where there is 

 now a well, is about 162 yards; width of the inner ditch 7 yards; and of 

 the outward ditch 5 yards. . . 



" The construction of the vallum (see the section) is different from any 

 I have ever seen ; being formed of long stones placed diagonally, so as 

 to press inward towards the centre, and then covered with earth : the 

 base of the vallum is 12 yards." 



Section copied from Archa'ologia, IX. (17S9). 



Certain depressions of the surface have been thought to 

 indicate stone huts, but their presence does not vitiate the 

 theory of tire early " refuge " purpose of Comb Moss, for such 

 a wet and windy exposure would necessitate shelter during 

 even the most temporary occupation. 



In common with many other early works, the defences have 

 suffered by alterations at the hands of those who occupied 

 the fort in after years. 



The straight pass through the ramparts, giving easy access 

 from the plateau, was no part of the scheme of the original 

 constructors, but is usually attributed to the Romans, who 

 may have occupied the place for a time. 



Granting that there was already a strongly defended fort here, 

 the Romans are exceedingly likely to have seized upon and 

 occupied a place which enabled them to command the road 

 from their settlement at Buxton (Aquae) to Manchester 

 (Mancunium), the way from Brough to the same road, and 

 possibly local track-ways for conveyance of material from the 

 mines and quarries of the Peakland. 



Probably in early days a wall of stone crowned the edge 

 of the two precipitous sides pretty much as the partly modern 

 wall now does to prevent cattle from falling over the cliffs. 



Many early forts exist which show no signs of water supply, 

 suggesting that, as in a New Zealand fa, it was often necessary 



