183 
’ earlier excavations, in 1743 ‘foundations of houses, showing the 
cement still strong, also plaster, and paint of a pinkish colour, were 
discovered.”* 
In 1766, “the streets were found to be paved with broad 
flagstones, much worn by use;” whilst the steps into a vaulted 
room, previously opened about 1686, were particularly well worn. 
This was probably the temple of the Deze Matres, who are repre- 
sented by a small sculptured slab still in the portico at Netherhall. 
Roofing slates were found in abundance, and still may be picked 
up in great quantities—several of them having the original iron 
pegs still in them. Besides these, “pottery, glass vessels, and 
even mirrors were discovered ;” also “evident marks of the houses 
having been more than once burnt down and then rebuilt.”t In 
addition, at different times have been discovered broken altars, 
altars wanting inscriptions, fibulee, glass, iron, and bronze articles ; 
tiles (one with Coh. 1, Hispa Inducius fecit on it), Samian and 
Durobrian ware; whilst of coarser ware we have specimens of 
amphore and mortaria. To these may be added querns and 
mill-stones ; in short, as Horsley remarks in 1732, “a perfect 
magazine of antiquities” is to be seen here. 
We cannot, however, pass on to another subject without 
alluding to the discoveries of 1880, for which we are mainly 
indebted to a member of our local Association—Mr. Joseph 
Robinson. These include a Legionary stone (2oth Legion), an 
altar by G. Caballius Priscus—Tribune (1st Cohort Spaniards), a 
second altar with the inscription apparently ploughed off; pottery, 
funeral urns, tiles, roofing slates, coins ; foundations—believed to 
have been those of a temple—forty-six feet by twenty-five feet ; 
also of a round building some twenty feet from the temple, and 
having a diameter of thirty-four feet, the walls being two feet thick. 
To these must be added two heads, together with a female figure 
supposed to have been one of the Dez Matres. Besides which, 
a section of the road, twenty-one feet wide, was laid bare, as also 
a drain ; and lastly—though not the least important—a pillar with 
* Hutchinson’s Cumberland, Vol. II., p. 282. 
+ Lyson’s Cumberland, p. 142. 
