and in the Ground adjoining. 117 



where, from the indications observed on the previous day, coinciding 

 as they did with the constans opinio on the point, it was reasonable 

 to suppose the road ran. The first section made, just south of the 

 hill, proved the correctness of the inferences which led to it. A 

 very {eyf strokes of the spade revealed the original ditch which 

 bounded the road on the north, Avhile the corresponding ditch on the 

 south was found at a distance — the width of the road here — of 18 

 feet. At this spot it is proved that the road passed the hill at a dis- 

 tance of 30 yards south from its foot. Eight other sections, two fur- 

 ther east, the others more to the west, all in the curve of the road, 

 served, to connect it with the straight and unquestioned portion to 

 the west. In some of these sections, where the inclination of the 

 surface was greater, only one ditch or pit was found, all the material 

 having been taken from one side. In some of the sections there 

 seemed to be double ditches, side by side, one or two feet apart. 

 In another to the westward, where the ground is level, no ditch 

 was found, but the material appeared to have been scooped up from 

 the adjoining surface. The length traced by means of the sections, 

 is 477 yards. 



On the whole there can now remain no reasonable doubt but that 

 the Society have settled the question as to the course of the Roman 

 Road, near Silbury. In its progress eastwards it must be crossed 

 by the existing Turnpike Road, within a few yards. As it passes 

 over the infant Kennet, and up the next hill, it is not to be traced ; 

 though coins are found in great numbers at a spot, where a certain 

 irregularity in the surface marks what may be the site of a dwelling 

 of some kind. 



The excavations were continued under the direction ofthe Rev. 

 A. C. Smith, on the 24th, and in digging near the section farthest 

 to the east, the workmen found alarge hole some twelve feet in 

 length, by eight or nine in width. It contained a variety of what 

 may be considered little better than rubbish, in fact a Roman 

 " Kitchen-midden ;" but taken together, the objects are not unin- 

 structive, and prove that some Roman dwelling place must have 

 for some time existed in the immediate neighbourhood. The 

 following remains were found : — three small bronze coins ; one of 



