No. 27. — 1884.] tissamaiiArAma archaeology. 



29 



chambers (probably one to each house) were from 8 to 10 

 feet across. One was almost in the shape of a horse-shoe. 

 They were about 2 feet 6 inches deep in excavation at the 

 upper side, as shown in the following sketch : — 



y/////////////////////- / /77T7^ 



Probably walls of sticks or mud surrounded them, on 

 which a light roof, with a covering of grass, would rest. At 

 the back of one of these rooms, in a small chamber or recess 

 dug out of the gravel, and filled up with ashes, was found 

 a heterogenous collection of articles which appear to have 

 been placed in it for concealment. These consisted chiefly 

 of a number of pieces of iron, which seem to have once 

 formed part of the ironwork attached to a wooden con- 

 struction—possibly a chariot, together with rivetted iron 

 nails of various sizes. Pieces of decomposed wood still 

 adhere to some of these articles. There were also a kris, a 

 carpenter's chisel (which may perhaps be taken to indicate 

 the trade of the occupant), bones of cattle, and pieces of 

 chatties and plates, on two of which was engraved a mark, 

 the Swdsti monogram, that resembles part of the royal seal, 

 regarding which see below (" Money"), One of the chatties 

 had an inscription round its outside, and the small piece 

 of it, which is preserved, sufficiently proves the antiquity of 

 the remains, although the room, while in the gravel, was 

 not more than six feet below the present surface of the 

 ground. The floors of all the houses were quite level, any 

 small hollows in them being filled up with fine white ashes, 

 with which the whole floor was very thinly covered. Although 

 fires were occasionally made in them, and have left their 

 traces, these rooms were probably used chiefly as dormi- 

 tories. No seats have been met with. Cooking seems to 

 have been carried on outside, and the sites of many fires 



