54 Excavations at Birrenswark. 



for by the circumstance that a great part of the ditch is cut in 

 hard splintry rock, which seems to have been applied partially as 

 a substitute. One section was exceptional (Plate VI. fig. 10). 

 At the rear of the ditch is a narrow berm, and a perpendicular 

 facing of well-built stone-work about 18 inches high, behind 

 which is the earthen rampart. 



The rampart of the north side where it is double (Plate V. fig. 

 11), like that of corresponding form at the redoubt of the south 

 camp, gives no indication of stone pitching on the front. 



A ])avement similar to that disclosed at the rear of the rampart 

 in the south camp was found here also. 



The gateways are all sufficiently distinct, but in the case of the 

 west one on the north side no mark of the traverse remains. 



As already stated, the west gateway (Plate III.) on the south side 

 is peculiar. The rampart is pushed rearwards upon the camp, so 

 that the gate stands at the apex of a broad but shallow triangular 

 recess, and the traverse, instead of being as usual a separate 

 mound with a passage on either side, is formed by turning the 

 end of the rampart on the east side of the gate southwards, and 

 swelling it into a beak-like shape with an elevated centre. There 

 is an entrance on the west side of the traverse only. The gate- 

 way had a surfacing of gravel over a heavy stone pavement, partly 

 wanting, below which Avas another pavement of stone-work of 

 some kind. The loAver part of the traverse ditch has been 

 quarried out of very hard rock, the northward projection of which 

 may possibly account for the rearward divergence of the entrench- 

 ments. Several large detached blocks of stone remain in the 

 ditch. 



The other gateways, which appear all to be of one design, have 

 projecting oval traverses similar to those of the east, west, and 

 south gates of the south camp. 



In the interior of the camp \vere discovered at several places 

 pavements, but nothing of definite form. 



Apparently, the source of water supply has been a small stream 

 which runs northwards through the camp. It rises under a 

 perpendicular cliff of rock at the north side of the higher part of 

 the hill. 



A stone ball and two pieces of iron were recovered at this 

 camp. The excavations in the interior were very limited, and so 

 far little evidence of occupation was discovered. 



