A HISTORY OF DERBYSHIRE 



many bones of animals, including those of horses, and even a few of men. 

 Pre-Roman objects, flints, potsherds, etc., were also found, testifying to a 

 pre-historic occupation, and perhaps the human bones should be ascribed to 

 some prehistoric burial, but in the absence of minute records this and 

 similar points must remain uncertain. The Roman remains appear to 

 belong to the second and early third centuries. That age is suggested by 

 the coins, of which the latest represents Philippus (250 A.D.) ; it also 

 suits the fibulas and the Samian ware, both of which may most reasonably 

 be ascribed to the Middle Empire. It is less easy to decide whether the 

 occupation covered the main part or only the end of that period. The 

 abundance of remains indicates that it may have lasted long ; but the 

 only definite fact is that it lasted till about 250 A.D. Of a later age there 

 is no trace. Nothing whatever occurs that is characteristic of the fourth 

 or fifth centuries. 1 



(c) CRESSWELL CRAGS 



Somewhat similar Romano-British remains, but less abundant, have 

 been found at Cresswell Crags, on the extreme edge of Derbyshire and 

 Nottinghamshire. Here, in the parish of Elmton and about 800 yards 

 east of Cresswell hamlet, a small stream which divides the two counties 

 widens into the semblance of a river and flows for a third of a mile between 

 the wooded cliffs of a sudden gorge. The cliffs on both sides contain 

 caves in which early man has dwelt. These were explored in the years 

 18759. On the north or Derbyshire side, Robin Hood's Cave yielded 

 several Roman objects. They were found near the entrance of the cave 

 and immediately under the present surface of the floor. The remains 

 include a few Samian and many ruder potsherds, a bronze bow-fibula 

 described as resembling those found at Settle (p. 239), some bones of 

 sheep, a human tooth, and much charcoal. A few mediaeval potsherds 

 were found near the surface, while flints and other traces of prehistoric 

 man lay deeper down. Just outside the cave a coin of Faustina was 

 noticed. Similar but scantier remains, potsherds, and a fine fibula were 

 discovered in the Church Hole on the opposite or Nottinghamshire side 

 of the ravine. It is plain that here again we deal with the definite 

 inhabitation of a cave, though it may have been smaller in size and briefer 

 in time than that of Thirst House or Poole's Hole. The date again is 

 indicated by the coin of Faustina and by the fibulae, which suggest the 

 middle or end of the second century. 1 



(d] BAT HOUSE (ALDERWASLEY) 



Three other Derbyshire caves have yielded remains which may be, 

 or have been taken to be, Romano-British. These remains are few. 



1 By the kindness of Mr. Redfern I have been able to examine the remains and photograph some 

 pieces. They have never been properly published. The brief notes in the Antiquary, viii. (1883), 

 177 (John Aiken : hence W. T. Watkin in Derb. Arch. Journ. viii. 192) and Reliquary, i. (1887), 

 107, give no idea of the actual finds. Brief notice in Boyd Dawkins, Cave-Hunting, p. 126. 



8 J. M. Mello, Quarterly Journ. Geol. Soc. xxxi. (1875), 683 ; xxxii. 241 ;xxxiii. 580 foil. ; xxxv. 724 

 (hence R. Pennington, Barrows and Bone Caves of Derb. p. 91) ; Torkshire Geol. and Polytechnic Soc. Pnc. 

 (new series), vii. (1878-81), 252-263. The site is indicated on the O.S. (six inch), xix. S.E. 



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