ANCIENT EARTHWORKS 



the inner vallum are the traces of a circular mount and fosse, almost levelled, 

 but enough to suggest that the people of a later age availed themselves of the 

 defences of a Roman camp wherein to erect their mount stronghold and their 

 church. Within this area Roman pottery, tesserae and tiles, with the con- 

 stantly recurring oyster-shells, are frequently found. 



Burgh Castle (ii, 5). — Burgh Castle, 3J miles south-west-by-west from 

 Yarmouth, is situated on high ground upon the eastern bank of the River 

 Waveney. It is one of the best remaining Roman fortified camps in the 

 country, but so far as its earthworks are to be considered it is included in this 





Castle Field, Burgh (near Woodbridge) 



class. The area is 640 ft. long by 413 ft. broad, and the ground within the 

 walls is 4 ft. 8 in. above that outside. The terrier of Burgh St. Peter — by 

 which name it was anciently known — for the year 161 1 mentions the Castle 

 Ditch ; this would be the fosse around the outside of the Roman stronghold, 

 which has disappeared on the eastern side under the action of the plough. 

 From the middle of both the northern and southern sides the fosse is seen, 

 gradually deepening until it reaches the level of the marsh by the river. All 

 that is left on the western side is an irregular escarpment 32 ft. at its highest 

 point at the north-west. A mound is said to have been discovered inside the 

 south-west corner of the inclosure which has led to two opposing theories as 



587 



