272 Incised Marking on the Impost 



on the rocks near the British earthworks, on the Cheviots. " After 

 long examination, I was delighted," says Dr. Tate, " to catch a 

 glimpse of some symbol or character on the under surface of the 

 fallen impost of one of the great triliths of the inner circle. The 

 inscription is on the under surface of the impost, and occupies a 

 position midway between the mortices. It is about 9 inches in 

 length, and is (sharply) incised, but being encrusted with lichens 

 and weather-worn, it must be viewed in a particular light to trace 

 its form ; which, however, under favourable circumstances is distinct 

 enough, to an eye accustomed to read water- worn sculpturings. Its 

 form is here shown (see woodcut) . About 3 inches from it is a hollow 



© 



Fig. 3. — Incised Marking on the Impost of the Great Trilithon at Stonehcnge. 

 From a sketch by Dr. Tate, January, 1861. 



f of an inch in diameter, similar to those which are seen associated 

 with the remarkable markings on rocks in Northumberland. I be- 

 lieve this incised character to be archaic, probably coeval with the 

 erection of the Stonehenge circle ; it has the same weather-worn ap- 

 pearance as the Northumberland sculpturings, which doubtless 

 were the work of ancient British people. Beyond generally ex- 

 pressing an opinion as to the antiquity of the curious mark or 

 symbol, now first noticed at Stonehenge, I do not attempt to specu- 

 late on its origin or meaning." 



On hearing of this discovery, and being furnished through the 

 kindness of Mr. Albert Way, with a copy of Dr. Tate's sketch, I 



