20 Excavations at Raeburnfoot. 



terated. Elsewhere the ditches are marked by surface depressions, 

 and the rampart by slightly elevated mounds. 



History of the Camp. 



Of the history of the Camp not much can be said. It seems to 

 have remained unknown until discovered by Dr Brown, late 

 minister of the parish. In the New Statistical Account of 

 Scotland, Dr Brown, referring to it, says — " In my former account 

 I mentioned Castle O'er or Overbie as a supposed Roman Camp, 

 communicating with Middlebie and Nethei'bie. I am now 

 convinced it is of Saxon origin, and that the true Roman Camp 

 of Overbie is on the farm of Raeburnfoot, about a mile above the 

 church. It is situated on a tongue of land between the houses of 

 Raeburnfoot and the Esk, inclining gently towards the east, and 

 about 40 feet above the level of the river. I stumbled upon it 

 accidentally in the summer of 1810, and am inclined to believe 

 that I have been fortunate enough to discover the true Roman 

 Station in the head of Eskdale." After a full description, with 

 dimensions of the Camp as taken by actual measurement at the 

 time, Dr Brown observes — -"The above Camp remained from 

 1810, when it was first discovered, till a few years ago, just as I 

 have described it, and was visited by many, but I regret to add 

 that it is now much injured by the proprietor having allowed it 

 to be ploughed up in order to obtain a few crops previous to its 

 being laid down in pasture." 



Dr Brown speaks of injury arising only through the use of the 

 plough, but evidently the pick and spade had likewise been in 

 requisition, and on more occasions than one. The fact of the 

 Camp being unobserved and unknown is proof that, long before 

 1810, it had been much defaced. Dr Brown's account shows 

 that the ditch along the east side had already at that time been 

 filled up, and of the east defences of the fort then, as now, no 

 trace was visible. The other ditches now closed were probably 

 tilled up after 1810 ; but at what time, or times, the ramparts 

 were reduced there is nothing to show. 



It may be well to appreciate the injury spoken to by Dr 

 Brown. Preparation for a rotation of crops is implied, and the 

 land would therefore be turned over at least five times, and 

 repeatedly dressed on the surface. Having regard to the 

 circumstance that the soil is not generally of greater depth than 

 is usually reached by the plough, it will he readily realised how 



