TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 903 



3. On the Structure of Lake Dwellings. By Robert Munko, M.B. 



In this communication Dr. Munro described the various methods adopted by 

 the lake-dwellers in the construction of the under-structures and platforms on 

 which their huts had been placed :— 



(1) Pfahlbaiden, or pile-structures proper. 



(2) Solid biisements of wood, or islands made of mixed materials, crannogs, 

 fascine structures, &c. 



(3) Cellular basements of beams arranged hke a log-house. 



After noticing the fragmentary indications of huts collected from time to time 

 on the sites of lake-dwell mgs, the author went on to describe the ruins of a cottage 

 exposed a few years ago by peat-cutters at the Schussenried, Wiirtembei'g. It was 

 of a rectangular shape, measuring thirty-three feet long by twenty-three feet broad, 

 and its walls were constructed of wooden beams plastered over with cla)'. Its 

 interior was divided into two compartments, one of which contained a hearth. 

 Dr. Munro then gave a description of an equally important discovery recently made 

 in Argyllshire. This was a crannog showing foundations of a circular house 

 thirty-two feet in diameter, and also divided into two compartments, one of which 

 ■contained a hearth and the remains of a doorway. 



4. A British Village of Marsh Dwellings at Glastoiihtiri/. 

 By Arthur Bulleiu, F.S.A. 



This village, discovered by Mr. Arthur Bulleid in March 1892, is situated a 

 little more than a mile north of the town of Glastonbury, in the upper part of one of 

 the moorland levels of Central Somerset found to the south of the Mendip Hills. The 

 site is fourteen miles from the coast of the Bristol Channel, but only about 15 

 feet above high-water level. As late as 1540 the neighbouring lands were occupied 

 either by areas of water or swamp, one mere being five miles round. The village 

 is bounded on its east side by a natural watercourse. 



There is little on the surface to indicate the site of a village, but on careful in- 

 fipection between sixty and seventy low circular mounds may be seen, varying from 

 15 to 35 feet in diameter, and from 6 inches to 2 ft. 6 in. high at the centre. These 

 form the foundations or floors of separate dwellings, which are constructed in the 

 following way : — On the surface of the peat is a layer or platform of timber and 

 brushwood kept in place by numerous small piles at the margin. On this a laver 

 of clay is placed, slightly raised at the centre, where the remains of a hearth are 

 generally found. The dwelling itself was composed of timber filled in with wattle 

 and daub. Not only have the wall-pcsts been found in situ, but also the entrance 

 threshold and doorstep. 



The extent of the ground covered by the sixty or seventy mounds measures 

 more than 400 feet north and south, by 300 feet east and west. The east border 

 of the settlement has been met with, and is well defined by a thick lino of piles 

 and timber. This side of the village was undoubtedly, to begin with, protected by 

 water, which in course of time was replaced by an accumulation of a peaty nature. 

 It is in and on this formation outside the settlement that many interesting struc- 

 tures entering into the construction of the village have been unearthed, such as 

 banks of clay and stone, morticed timber and hurdlework. Among other things 

 that have been discovered is a boat 17 feet long, quantities of wheel and hand- 

 made pottery, sling stones, and bones of animals, and a great number of objects of 

 bronze and iron, horn, bone, and stone, such as fibuhx; and rings, knives, saws and 

 weapons, combs, needles, pottery stamps, and querns. 



On the Place of the Lake Dwellings at Qlastonhury in British Archceology, 

 By Professor W. Boyd Dawkiks, F.B.S. 



