i300 Dr Hibbert's Observations on Vitrified Forts. 



found in Mr Turner's Anglo-Saxons, vol. ii. p. 258, 4th edi- 

 tion.) 



From this information of Snorro, we are entitled to expect 

 that vitrified sites should be found on the mountain tops of 

 Norwegian provinces. But I am not aware that Scandinavian 

 antiquaries have yet pointed out their existence. 



Independently, however, of this historical testimony, most 

 of the vitrified forts which I have examined show internal evi- 

 dence of their having been in use for such incidental purposes 

 as beacon-signals. Where the stones which have received the 

 full force of the fires appear of inconsiderable depth, a com- 

 plete fusion of the part has taken place ; but, in other exam- 

 ples, the fused matter has run among the stones in small 

 streams. In almost every case vitrification appears in patches, 

 the cementing process not being a continuous, but a very li- 

 mited effect. 



For the extent of fusion, we must look to the comparative 

 degree of frequency with which a beacon-fort would become 

 in requisition ; while the part of the fort which would be fused 

 must depend upon the direction of the wind at the time a 

 beacon was lighted. 



It is also not improbable, that such a portion of a beacon- 

 hill would be fired, as might convey the earliest information 

 of the direction in which an enemy was approaching, or of any 

 other events suggesting effectual plans of resistance. Thus, 

 at the hill of Cowdenknows, on the borders of Berwickshire, 

 although its summit has been fortified, it is on the flank of 

 this eminence, where little or no defence appears, but which 

 commands the view of a considerable tract of country to the 

 north and north-east, that a small cairn of vitrified stones is to 

 be detected. In many other places, also, vitrification is rather 

 to be observed on the unprotected side than upon the defend- 

 ed summit of a hill; which circumstance might lead us to sup- 

 pose, that signals of alarm were often intended to be conceal- 

 ed from an invading enemy, with the design that a readier 

 chance of success might be afforded to stratagems of repulsion or 

 surprise. That this view is not altogether theoretical, may be 

 collected from the very ancient armorial bearing worn by Mac- 

 leod, Lord of Lewis, where, in a rude representation given by Sir 



