ROMAN REMAINS AT BRADWELL. 3 



which was placed on the top of it, having a concavity formed 

 to fit into the convexity of the one supporting it, the whole 

 roof being dome-shaped, and pieced together by a method of 

 dove-tailing without mortar, and finished off by a well-fitting 

 key-stone." The statement that the roof was dome-shaped refers 

 probably to its outward appearance. 



"The stone," to again quote the Sheffield Telegraphy "is 

 skilfully worked, and is altogether different from anything to be 

 found in the more modern buildings in Bradwell. Further than 



Roman Remains at Bradwell. 



this, the Red Sandstone of which it (the oven) is composed is 

 nowhere found amongst the rocks of the district, and must have 

 been transported some distance, probably from Lancashire, as 

 the Romans had good roads from that county into Derbyshire." 

 The writer of that article describes the structure as a potter's 

 kiln ; but there can be no doubt that Mr. Leader's surmise is 

 nearer the truth. " No traces of Roman tiles or pottery were 

 seen among the debris. The stones bore marks of fire, and 

 the whole may have formed a baker's oven heated by burning 

 wood within it, and, after the ashes had been raked out, then 

 receiving the bread or other food to be baked." 



