22 



Zbc JEycavations at riDelanbra in 1905. 



The Excavations carried out at Melandra during 1905 by 

 the Special Committee of tlie Manchester Branch of the 

 Classical Association, while throwing considerable light 

 on the construction, if not on the history of this fort, 

 have been not less fruitful in suggesting how much has 

 still to be done before the remains can be said to have 

 disclosed all the information to be obtained from them. 

 In preparing this report, the opportunity has been taken 

 of indicating the lines of enquiry which have been thus 

 pointed out. 



The best summary of the results of the excavations is 

 obtained by a glance at the plan ^ which accompanies this 

 article. When work was commenced in February, 1905, 

 not only was it impossible to produce a plan of the fort, 

 but the very existence of any remains of two of the gate- 

 ways, and of the greater part of the stone rampart had 

 yet to be determined. As will be shown presently, the 

 exact dimensions of the structure have now for the first 

 time been obtained. 



One word is necessary as to the scale on which the plan 

 is drawn. It is greatly to be regretted that, with a few 

 exceptions, the plans of the Roman works in Britain are 



1. See plan at the end. I wish especially to thank Mr. John Swarbrick 

 for the assistance he has given in the preparation of this plan. He has not 

 only spent a number of whole days with me at Melandra, making the 

 necessary measurements, but he kindly undertook to plot the results, and 

 has also helped me with some technical details which his professional 

 knowledge enabled him to furnish. 



