222 THE BRIGANTES. 



nine in the Brigantian territory alone ; so improved was the 

 country, or so enlarged the knowledge of it in half a century. 

 In the earliest period of British history corresponding to the 

 pit houses and earthen tumuli, there were perhaps no cities, 

 nor were the ' oppida/ which were defended by banks, destined 

 for more than temporary protection. Near such enclosures, 

 however, we may be sure the population was gathered, and thus 

 an important clue is gained for tracing the distribution of the 

 early inhabitants, in addition to the pits and tumuli, the situa- 

 tion of the Roman stations, and the lines of their military 

 ways. 



The green dales of the north-west of Yorkshire nourish but a 

 spare population at the present day, and bear but a small pro- 

 portion to the vast area of moorlands, which, even with the aid 

 of modern improvements, yield but a stinted pasturage for cattle. 

 In these valleys there are but slight traces of early settlements 

 beyond the last reliques of the llomans, at Greta Bridge, Reeth, 

 and Bainbridge. In the country below these points the marks 

 of population of every age become more numerous. 



The vicinity of Catterick is remarkable for long connected 

 dikes, which seem in part to be boundary-lines, and in part to 

 be defences, of the simple and antique cast of the British oppida. 

 The space here enclosed between the Tees and the Swale is rich 

 in the sites of castles and camps, and many names of Celtic 

 origin connect the occupation of the country with the Brigantes. 

 In later times, Roman roads, Saxon and Norman castles have 

 increased the interest of the territory. Mr. Maclaughlan has 

 carefully surveyed this district, at the request of the Duke of 

 Northumberland, whose Stanwick estate is in the midst of 

 entrenchments*. A great dike has been traced by Mr. Mac- 

 laughlan, from Hindwath on the Swale to near Gainforth on 

 the Tees. This is about 9^ miles in a straight line, and is four 

 times as long as the great dike at Flamborough. It is seldom 

 straight for more than half a mile, and is occasionally bent sud- 

 * Archaeological Journal, Nos. 23 and 24. 1849. 



