58 Knap Hill Camp. 



however, that undoubtedly belongs to the period of the Eoman 

 occupation, inchiding stamped Samian ware of the 2nd century 

 A.D., was found superficially over the plateau and eastern side of 

 the hill, as well as in the T-shaped fire place, and under the round 

 mound, within the enclosure. 



The evidence, therefore, seems to prove that the plateau en- 

 closure was made and occupied by people using Late-Celtic pottery 

 before the Roman conquest, or at least before it had affected the 

 style of their domestic wares. 



This does not, of course, necessarily mean any break in the 

 occupation of the site between the pre-Roman builders of the 

 enclosure and the later people living under Roman influence. 



It is probable, indeed, that the one followed the other naturally 

 in the course of time without any marked interruption. It 

 appears, however, that the plateau ditch had been allowed to 

 partially silt up before the new-fashioned Roman pottery had 

 come into use at this place. Judging from the quantity of pot- 

 sherds scattered all over the ground the site was occupied for a 

 long time, very probably all through the Roman period, and after 

 it up to the 6th century. 



It is probable that at that date the place ceased to be occupied^ 

 and there is some little evidence that the habitations were 

 destroyed by fire. 



The 6th century Saxon sword found on the spot may well 

 supply a clue to the date and cause of this destruction. 



There is no evidence of any later habitation of the site until 

 more than a thousand years afterwards, when some 17th century 

 herdsmen or squatters chose this windy and waterless spot for 

 their habitation. 



Outside the northern corner of the Old Camp is an artificial 

 mound which it was thought might prove to be a barrow. A 

 section 5ft. wide was cut through it and then widened out to include 

 the whole of the central part of the mound, down to the undis- 

 turbed chalk. 



A few fragments of pottery of Roman date were found in the 

 turf, but below this, unfortunately, not a single piece of pottery, or 



