56 Excavations at Birrenswark. 



The Circumvallation. 



Between the north-east corner of the north camp and the east 

 enclosure, D, the line as indicated on Roy's plan remains well 

 marked. There is a ditch in front with a rampart in the rear, 

 built on rising ground. At a section made through the I'ampart 

 (Plate VIII. fig. 14), a small fragment of moulded and colour- 

 decorated glass, being probably part of a bracelet, was recovered 

 in the earth at the base. A little south of the east enclosure 

 another fragment of the work, K, also shown on Roy's plan, is 

 still distinguishable. It stands on a height, and the interspace, 

 which is a hollow, is so commanded by the works on either side 

 as to suggest that it may ha,ve served as an entrance to the fort 

 tress. The continuation of the circumvallation L, from the wes- 

 end of the south camp towards the west fort, as indicated by a 

 single line on Roy's plan, is also traceable on the ground. The 

 branch ends of the rampart remain, one joining the south camp 

 and the other the west fort, and perceptil)le lines indicate its pro- 

 longation from the south camp some way westwards. A section 

 showed a slight mound outside the ditch and higher ground inside, 

 as if this part had been of the double rampai't and intervening 

 ditch type. 



Referring to the small rectangular work of three apartments, E, 

 at the east end of the hill, shown on Roy's plan, these and several 

 other similar works (not marked on the plan) were examined, 

 but without result, and it is impossible to say whether they were 

 part of the military works or not. One lies near the south-west 

 corner of the south camp, a group of three of large size are 

 situated some distance south of the same camp, and one of curious 

 design is placed between the west fort and the " Roman Road." 



Outside the south-east corner of the north camp is another 

 small work, F. It is circular and about 45 feet in diameter. 

 The interior has been hollowed out, and the earth and rock- 

 shivers therefrom used in building a small enclosing mound about 

 12 feet wide and 2 feet high. 



Roy's plan shows traces of a work, B, starting from the south- 

 east corner of the north camp and extending southwards along 

 the east end of the hill, and after an interval a fragment of a 

 mound, A. The first is discernible, but with difiiculty ; the 

 second, which remains in good form, was examined and found to 

 be the protecting rampart on the east side of a road which has 



