278 



On a Roman building at Holbury, near Dean. 



of the pillars (perhaps of timber) which supported lean-to roofs, 

 sloping from the outer walls. 



Indications of fire were very frequent, a succession of shallow 

 bowl-shaped depressions, marked "ashes" in the plan, and containing" 

 charcoal and other ashes, extending up the centre of the area from 

 the South, and others being found in the positions assigned to them. 

 From one, on the Eastern side, a shallow trench, also containing 

 ashes, stretched towards the South. There was an artificial hearth, 

 3ft. by 2, against the centre of the North wall, formed of hard 

 cement laid upon a footing of clay of a deep red colour, quite 

 different from the natural clay of the spot, and 18in. in depth. 

 Near the West wall, and within the space between the two piers on 

 that side, was another smaller fire-place, the hearth formed of a 

 pitching of flints, and having a back of the same material. 



Two small blocks of Tisbury stone, 15in. by 9 and 10, resting on 

 the clay floor, and fixed in their places by chalk rammed round 

 them, one just within the South wall, near its centre, and the other 

 about the same distance from the East wall, must have had some 

 purpose, as yet un-ascertained. 



I confess to some disappointment at the paucity of facts I have 

 obtained, nor can I at present offer any elucidation of those before 

 me. I have at all events rescued from oblivion a Roman building 

 hitherto unknown, and one differing (as I believe) from any 

 previously discovered. Whether it was a receptacle for cattle, or a 

 store-house for articles of merchandize, or for provisions — I must 

 leave for others to determine. It was a durable structure at all 

 events, made strong, perhaps to resist marauders ; and its foundations 

 lie now uninjured, with trifling exceptions, beneath the turf which 

 has concealed them for fifteen hundred years. I may add that a 

 single coin, of the second brass, with the sacred monogram 

 upon it, proves the post- Christian occupation of the building. 



An additional item of information subsequently obtained (Oct., 

 1870), must be placed on record. The pointed crowbar so usefully 

 employed already having been again in requisition in the same field, 

 about 60 yards S.W. from the site of the building, after striking 

 upon something hard, suddenly left the hand of the workman, and 



