128 ON ROMAN REMAINS AT S0X7TH SHIELDS, 



liavc been connected with some funeral monument. Kcar it also 

 were the remains of a shallow stone trough. 



About the same time many coins, pieces of Samian ware, and 

 bones of animals were found in the north-east quadrangular por- 

 tion of the land, and the purchaser of the site already mentioned, 

 {a, riatc Y.), came, at a depth of about seven feet below the 

 present surface of the ground, upon a beautiful patera of Samian 

 wtire, perfect, except one piece which had been broken out of the 

 side, showing the potter's mark, imd a scratched inscription. 



The discovery of all these relics gave a great impulse to re- 

 search. A Public Meeting was held in South Shields, a Com- 

 mittee was formed, leave was obtained from the Ecclesiastical 

 Commissioners to thoroughly search the ground, and active ex- 

 ploration was pushed on during many months. This systematic 

 investigation began on the 15th of March, 1875. Before that, a 

 perfect column, and parts of others, had been found (at it, Plate 

 XIII,) near the place where, as above mentioned, coins, fragments 

 of pottery, and bones had been discovered. The first thing done 

 by the regularly appointed Committee was to begin from the same 

 spot and carry a trench east and west till the ramparts of the 

 Station should be reached. Then the central portion was entirely 

 uncovered. Then a trench north and south was carried to the 

 bounds of the Station, and after tluit other portions of the Station 

 in various parts were laid bare. In giving an account of the 

 results of the exploration it will be unnecessary to take note of 

 the chronological sequence of the various operations. It will be 

 sufficient simply to describe as faithfully as possible the Station 

 and its contents as revealed by the excavations. 



Tlie spot first commenced with turned out to be the site of 

 Die forum, and proved with its surroundings to be frauglit with 

 immense interest. It is matter for the deepest regret tliat no effec- 

 tual steps have been taken tlius far for its permanent preserva- 

 tion. On the contrary, it lias ali-eady suffered greatly from the 

 total neglect to which it lias been for some time abandoned. Tlie 

 extreme lengtli of tlie forum is seventy-four feet, its extreme 

 breadtli thirty-four. Witli tlie exception of about ten feet ut 



