1 54 MORTIMER : SMALL PITS ON ALLERSTON AND EBBERSTON MOORS. 
While I reject, in the maiu, the village theory of these groups of 
pits, it must not be supposed that I entirely ignore the existence of the 
remains of pit-dwellings in Yorkshire, as, in several instances, I have 
discovered their undoubted remains in connection with some British 
barrows which I have opened. In my rambles on the moors, I have 
also observed pits which I thought were very probably the sites of 
scattered dwellings. 
Surface appearances, however, are very unreliable proofs, as pits 
made for whatever purpose, after a few centuries, acquire from 
atmospheric and other causes a very similar outline ; and, therefore, 
the pick and the shovel in the hands of trained workmen, under 
experienced supervision, are the most reliable tests in solving such 
problems. 
