60 Excavations at Biiikenswark. 



channel 12 inches square, sides of stone, and covers of whinstone 

 averaging 30 inches long, well fitted together. 



In the historical part of the paper, Dr Cliristison shows that a 

 well, situated on the north side of the hill, has heen described as 

 having been fortified. A spring rises at the base of the precipi- 

 tous rock-face, a little way east of the north gate, and a piece of 

 rampart, earth-built and stone-faced as before, remains, leading 

 from the gate in the direction of the spring, which was probably 

 the source from which the supply of water lor the fort was 

 obtained, as nothing of the kind has been discovered on the 

 hilltop. The runner passing through the middle of the north 

 camp is fed from the same spring. 



Of the two south gateways, the east one (Plate VIII. fig. 18), 

 which stands behind a small gorge, shows an oblong pavement 

 floor, trimmed on the straight edges, and measuring 15^ feet 

 renrwards by 9| feet across, constructed of flat unliewn stones 

 embedded in clay. At the south end marks of walling 2| feet 

 thick and a square outline are visible, and seem to indicate that 

 the gateway was a stone-built superstructure. The approach is 

 by a narrow way in the bottom of the gorge, which for a length 

 of 20 yards is covered with large stones, very unevenly disposed, 

 as if either they had been much disttu-bed, or were so arranged 

 with a view to impede progress towards the gate ; and it is 

 defended by the double line of rampart returning on either side, 

 coalescing at the gate, and maintaining a higher level, and so 

 commanding and flanking the approach. 



The remaining gateway (Plate YIII. fig. 19), being the west 

 one on the south side, was prolmbly the main entrance. The 

 approach is of greater width than the others, the gradient is 

 easier and more uniform, and the roadway is better formed. 

 The roadway is partly cut iu the rock, which is dressed to form 

 the surface, depressions being made up with pavement. It 

 curves from the west, northwards, round the east side of a steep 

 escarpment, on the top of which the outer rampart of the fort 

 returns, flanking the entrance on that side. There being no 

 natural flanking on the other side, the builders have supplied 

 artificial defences, consisting of a double tapering mound, carried 

 alongside the roadway. The gateway stands in line with the 

 encircling rampart of the fort, which in this instance has no 

 returning bend. It shows stone foundations consisting of stumps 

 of flanking walls in front of the gate ; a threshold, with a 



