ON THE ANCIENT EARTHWORK IN EPPING FOREST. 247 
not yet been attempted. We are, therefore, not in a position to describe 
them more definitely, but they are certainly artificial, and would seem to 
deserve a thorough examination. Mr. D’Oyley also directed our attention 
to a somewhat remarkable configuration of the ground at one spot in the 
deep valley to the south-east of the camp. The footpath leading thither 
from the camp is, at almost its lowest point, flanked by several very 
‘mound-like’ ridges of soil, densely covered with vegetation. A section 
was cut through one of these, but no signs of artificial construction were 
discoverable. It is probable that they are purely natural formations, caused 
by the erosive action of the surface water flowing down rapidly from the 
higher ground which the camp occupies in sufficient quantity and force 
to wear away the lighter soil, and so leave these ridges of denser clay 
standing boldly out above the general level. 
The above sketch comprises the information at present in our posses- 
sion concerning the external features and natural surroundings of the 
Loughton Camp, and we now proceed to detail the results of the diggings 
into the ramparts. The investigations were carried on under the auspices 
of the Hssex Field Club by a sub-committee of that society including all 
the members of the present committee, the necessary funds being sub- 
scribed by members of the club, supplemented by a grant of 10]. from 
the Council of the British Association. Permission having been granted 
by the Epping Forest Committee of the Corporation of London, the work 
was commenced on May 29, 1882, ard continued until June 14, the 
removal of the earth being very carefully watched by members of the 
joint committee, under the direction of the hon. secretary, Mr. W. Cole, 
Mr. W. D’Oyley also kindly giving his services as surveyor. The mode 
of working both in theory and practice was so fully explained by General 
Pitt-Rivers in his report upon Ambresbury Banks,! that it is unnecessary 
to repeat the details here. Sections were cut through the rampart and 
ditch so as to expose the ‘old surface line,’ or the original floor of earth 
upon which the soil dug out in making the fosse was heaped by the con- 
structors of the camp to raise up the ramparts. The earth being generall 
of a more sandy nature than at Ambresbury Banks the sieve could be freely 
used, and each spadeful was sifted on its removal and carefully examined 
for relics, the position of each object found being registered on working 
drawings of the cuttings. The contract for the work was taken by Mr. 
Cuthbert, of Loughton, and a word of praise is due to our four workmen, 
who displayed great care and intelligence in the somewhat tedious and 
delicate tasks set before them. 
The position of the cuttings is shown on the plan of the camp. The 
first was 12 feet in width, and it was carried from the foot of the silting 
of the interior slope on for 80 feet through the rampart and ditch to the 
counterscarp. The camp at this part has suffered severely from denudation, 
owing to the light nature of the soil. As will be seen by an inspection 
of the plan of the cutting (Plate III.), the present height of the rampart 
is only about 5 feet 6 inches above the ‘old surface line,’ and the ditch is 
filled up with silt to the depth of about 6 feet. In this first section the 
silting was so similar in appearance to the undisturbed earth, that the 
outline of the fosse could not be followed out with any certainty, and 
even the escarp was very difficult to trace. 
The following is a catalogue of the objects found in the first cutting, 
1 Transactions Essex Field Club, ii. p. 55, and Proc. ii. xxviii. 
