VOL. XV. (1) ROMAN OCCUPATION OF GLOUCESTER 47 
Evidence of a swiftly running stream, consisting of 
sharp sand and pebbles of various formations, was found 
in the deposit of stones 
Lastly, how could such an accumulation of clay or mud 
have been deposited on the stones ? 
The answer to this question may be thus stated. The 
Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, which runs some 400 
yards to the west of the Bristol Road, was commenced, 
at the Gloucester end, at the close of the 18th century. 
It appears evident that the spoil from the excavation was 
spread over the adjacent low-lying land, extending from 
the Canal to the Bristol Road. The uppermost or yellow 
clay would be moved first, and be wheeled or carted 
to the farthest destination. This would account for the 
uniformly coloured (yellow) clay found over the deposit 
of stones, and also for the variously coloured clays (yellow, 
blue, and neutral) found to the west of the stone deposit. 
A striking bit of evidence that this deposit of yellow 
clay is comparatively modern is found in the fact that 
a round lead bullet was discovered near the bottom of the 
clay-bed. 
Tradition says that the chapel and burial-ground of 
Llanthony Priory were destroyed to make way for the 
Canal. Evidence of this is, I think, shown by a brass 
pin that was found at the bottom of the yellow clay. It is 
of medizval design, and of ecclesiastical character—a 
cross within a circle. It may have fastened some part 
of the clothing of one of the monks of Llanthony. 
Hall and Pinnell’s map of Gloucester, published in 
1780 (a few years only before the commencement of the 
Gloucester and Berkeley Canal) shews an island existing 
between the Bristol Road and Llanthony Priory, on the 
east end of which now partly stands the Gloucester Wagon- 
Works. The eastern end of the island is bounded by 
the Bristol Road. 
