( iS^4 ) 
V. ^^rt of a Letter from Mr Ralph Thorcsby, 
K % S. to Dr Hans Sloane, 5. (?^. 5. concerning 
a Leaden Coffin^ &cc. taken out of a Roman ^ury- 
tng-flace near York. 
Leeds, Jum 17. 1702. 
BEing lately at Tork^, I went (as ufnallyj to Mr Mon- 
tague Gjless, to enquire if his Servants had retrieved 
any thing curious in the Roman Burying-place^ where, in 
digging Clay for Bricks, they frequently find Urns, &c. 
Some of which are accounted for in former Tranfaftions. 
They very lately found there a remarkable Lead Coffin, 
v/hich by the Circumftances feems to have been for a 
Perfon of Quality 5 'twas 9 foot deep in* the ground, 
whereof 6 were Clay, and 3 a black Earth 3 the Lead 
Coffin, which was about 7 foot long, was inclofed in a 
prodigious ftrongone, made of Oak Planks, about 2 inches 
and a half thick, which befides the Rivettings were tack*d 
together with Brags, or great Iron Nails, fome of which 
I puird out of the Planks, and have by me 5 they are 4 
inches long, the heads not Die- wife, as the large Nails 
now are, but perfeftly fiat, and an inch broad : I have 
one fomewhat different, the Nail itfelf is half an inch 
broad, and thin, fomewhat in the form of a Wedge, 
and the Head not round, as the others, but fomewhat 
like the modern Draw-nails 5 but thefe old ones are gene- 
rally fquare, the 4 (ides of an equal breadth : Many of 
them are almoft eonfum'd with the ruft, and the oucfides 
of the Planks, but the heart of the Oak is firm, and the 
Leal very fre(hand pliable 5 whereas one found about a 
year ago (whereof Ihiv>5 alfo a fample) is brittle, and al- 
moft 
