kOMAN OCCUPATION OF WAkEHAM. 153 



Constantine the Great. Bust to right. Legend, IMP. c. 

 FL. VAL. CONSTANTINUS PP. AUG. This coin, which is in an 

 excellent state of preservation, belongs to Mr. Joseph H. 

 Bennett. All five coins were shown at the reading of this paper. 



From the coins we turn to consider the fragments of Roman 

 pottery. It has been said, and rightly, " they are but shards," 

 yet I know no reason why one should be ashamed to bring them 

 forward. Shards though they may be, they have done an 

 important part in helping to prove the Roman occupation of 

 Wareham. Since I commenced bringing the antiquities of 

 Wareham to the front, I have noted the discovery of Roman 

 relics, including silver and bronze coins, bronze ornaments, lead 

 image, beads, querns, and pottery at 15 places within, and four 

 without the walls. Fragments of British, Roman, Samian, 

 Saxon, and Norman pottery have all been unearthed in 

 Wareham. Amongst these fragments are specimens of sun- 

 baked, rough hand-made, and superior moulded pottery. Some 

 were ornamented by the potter's fingers,' and some bear rude 

 designs made by engravers' tools. Others are discoloured by 

 smoke, bearing evidence that the vessels of which they formed 

 part had been associated with fire. 



I have mentioned British pottery. The earliest date at which 

 I can find any discovered within the walls was in 1883, when the 

 foundation of the present post office was dug. The portions of 

 a rough earthen vessel then discovered are believed to be very 

 early British. 



Though numerous relics have been unearthed in various parts 

 of the town, the cemetery has proved most prolific ; even there 

 they are not confined to any particular spot, and it is only at 

 considerable depth, from five to nine feet, that they have been 

 discovered. The fragments of pottery continually being un- 

 earthed represent a considerable number of vessels of various 

 shapes and sizes, the greater part of which appear to have been 

 manufactured for domestic purposes. In very few cases do the 

 fragments of pottery, whether many or few be found buried 

 together, belong to the same vessel. Careful investigation leaves 



