1 68 TRADE WEIGHTS FOUND AT MELANDRA. 



No. 9 is quite accurate, and No. 7 works out 22 grains more than 

 the unit, the others being somewhat less. The average weight 

 of the whole series works out only 17 grains below that of the 

 ancient British standard, which is a very striking agreement. 



Though based upon an Early British standard, they are 

 sub-divided according to the Roman duodecimal method. 

 When considered along with the historical facts this leads to 

 the conclusion that weights of ancient British and Roman stan- 

 dards were used simultaneously for trade purposes during the 

 friendship which existed between the Romans and Brigantes for 

 twenty years (a.d. 50-70). It supports the view that the 

 Melandra camp was constructed at least as early as the first 

 campaign of Cerealis against the Brigantes in a.d. 70 (Tacitus 

 Agric, 17), which is further confirmed by the early character of 

 the terra sigillata (Samian) bowl, form 29 (carinated), found 

 there, ornamented with patterns in a style which had disappeared 

 from use before the close of the first century, and was made at La 

 Graufesenque, whence the Gallo-Roman potters Hkewise ceased 

 exporting by the end of the first century of our era. 



The disposition of the Roman roads to the east of Manches- 

 ter also leads to the same conclusion (Codrington's Roman 

 Roads in Britain, ed. 1905, p. 381). 



