60 THE EXCAVATIONS 



tions of tlie footings. Stone from otlier beds of superior 

 quality, but of tbin laminated strata, has been used for 

 tbe walls of buildings witbin tbe fort, for the footings 

 of tbe rampart wall, and for tbe drains. An example of 

 tbe wall executed witb tbis material, may be seen in tbe 

 central building. In tbis instance tbe courses vary from 

 3 in. to 5 in. or 6 in. in beigbt. On account of tbe 

 different tbicknesses of tbe laminated beds, tbe work bas 

 been irregularly coursed. ''° Tbere seems to bave been no 

 attempt to work stone of tbis description beyond sucb 

 squaring as could be done witb a spalling bammer. 



Measurements of tbe stones of tbe rampart facing bave 

 already been given (p. 47). In tbe remains of tbe east 

 gate, bowever, mucb larger stones are found. Thus a pier 

 stone may be seen measuring 2 ft. 11^ in. by 2 ft. 7 in. 

 by 8 in., wbile tbe splayed impost of tbe adjacent pier 

 measures 3 ft. 1| in. by 2 ft. 1 in. by 10 in. Tbe largest 

 I bave measured is lying (now broken) on tbe beap of 

 stones just inside tbe east gate. Rougbly its dimensions 

 are 3 ft. 3 in. by 2 ft. 10 in. by 9 in. Eacb of tbese 

 blocks, wbicb are of tbe finest millstone grit, would re- 

 qu.ire several men to place it in position. Tbe last two 

 mentioned migbt weigh as mucb as seven or eight cwt. 

 each before the splays and sinkings were worked upon 

 them. In other Roman work, {e.g., in the remains of the 

 piers of the Roman bridge across the Tyne at Ciluruum) 

 all the large stones bave lewis holes neatly worked in them. 

 Lewis boles have not been found in any of the stones at 

 Melandra, nor is there any indication that mechanical 

 appliances were used for raising them. 



Of the tiles it need only be said here that the roofing 

 tiles, of wbicb a large number have been found, are of tbe 

 usual pattern, i.e., they consist of flat flanged teyulae and 

 70. A section appears on the plate facing p. 45. 



