158 Mr. George Tate on Ancient Sculptured Rocks, 8^'c. 



twenty-seven are traceable. Similar shallow indentations 

 have been found on the " Witches' Stone " at Benning- 

 ton Mains, near Kath, in Mid-Lothian, which forms the 

 capstone of a cromlech ; * and also on another cromlech in 

 Guernsey. t It has been supposed that these indentations 

 had been made with the design of splitting the stones ; but 

 their association with the sculptures at Bewick, would indi- 

 cate that they had some superstitious meaning. 



The camp, with which these inscribed stones is connected, 

 crests the hill, and is placed on the eii^e of a high cliff which 

 forms a strong defence on the south. It is a double camp of 

 a roimded form, but with modifications suiting the nature of 

 the site ; each camp is semicircular and defended by two 

 strong rampiers, while the combined camp is defended by 

 two other rampiers which extend round the whole. Probably, 

 two distinct families or clans occupied this camp ; sufficiently 

 united to erect defences against a common enemy, yet so 

 distrustful of each other, as to have a separate stronghold ; 

 arrangements indeed, which mark a period of division and 

 weakness. Within both camps there are several circular 

 foundations sheAving the sites of hut dwellings. 



Lower down the hill, yet on high ground, on a gentle slope 

 facing the south, there are the remains of another ancient 

 British village or oppidum. The chief fortlet is circular, and 

 about 120 feet in diameter. This had been similar to the 

 fortlets in the Breamish and about Yevering ; but the walls 

 were formed of sandstones. The hut dwellings were from 

 9 feet to 15 feet in diameter. 



Not only have we here the strong forts or castles and the 

 village or town, but also the sepulchres of the ancient British 

 race. Both towards the east and west there are, at no great 

 distance, several barrows or burying places. On Harehope 

 Hill one was opened, and within it was a flint weapon which 

 had on one side a well-formed nick by which it could have 

 been fastened to a pole. On Folly Hill other sepulchral 

 chambers were discovered ; and at Blawweary urns were 

 found with the characteristic scorings of ancient British pot- 

 tery. In a fissure in the rock near the base of the cliff on 

 which the camp stands, a vessel was discovered of a simple 

 bowl shape, made of coarse clay, and devoid of ornament — • 

 most probably one of the domestic vessels of the period. 



* Wilson's Pre-historic Annals, p. 67 

 t Arch«eological Journal, vol. iii. 



