24 Excavations at Raerurnfoot. 



is 2 feet thick or more. Immediately to the north is a breadth 

 of spread stones, and to the west are fragments of cobble paving ; 

 also a few stones put together like a fragment of walling about a 

 yard long and 9 inches in height, curved inwards on plan. 



The spread stones are suggestive of a roadway, and it seems 

 likely that the east gateway of the fort stood here, in which case 

 the main structure described might liave been a platform for the 

 reception of an engine to be used in defence of the gate. " In 

 time of war," says Hyginus, as quoted by General Roy, " care 

 should he taken that proper stejjs or ascents are made to the 

 ramparts, and that platforms are constructed for the engines 

 near the gates." 



Another fragment of stonework lies under the tail of the south 

 rampart of the fort, near the west side, at D on the plan. It is 

 arranged in the form of the letter L reversed, and consists of a 

 single layer of flat stones fitted together ; and opposite the centre 

 of the lower limb, eastwards, are four comparatively small stones, 

 placed in a row, and at almost equal distances. 



I have mentioned that no very certain evidence of a west 

 rampart exists, but structural remains on that side at the south- 

 west corner of the fort, marked E and F on the plan, favour the 

 idea that the plan as regards the fort originally embraced such a 

 rampart. A return, facing the west, was found, but no trace of 

 its continuation northwards. The construction of the return is 

 peculiar. A cobble pavement foundation underlies the piece of 

 rampart, which is built partly of earth and partly stone. The 

 rear portion is composed of a mass of stones and clay like the 

 material of the platform before described. It is 2^ feet high at 

 the west side and level, 4 feet wide like a path, and at the east 

 side of the path is a stage or step, whence the stonework slopes 

 eastwards to the level of the fort. The front, which is of earth, 

 was probably carried higher than the level of the pathway as a 

 breastwork. The stonework agrees with the steps or ascents 

 which Hyginus says should be made to the ramparts. The 

 cobble pavement is found not only under the west return but 

 also under the south rampart ; how far it extends, however, has 

 not been ascertained. Whin, undressed, is the only description 

 of stone met with. 



Regarding the further elucidation of the plan, few well-defined 

 lines available for tracing it with accuracy exist. The centres of 

 the ditches, where the two sides almost meet at the bottom, are, 



