258 
Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. 
“ If the Falkirk carses were not entirely overflown in the time 
of the Romans, it is probable at least that they were then salt- 
marshes, subject in some degree to temporary inundations in high 
spring tides.” (Roy, Military Antiquities , book iv. c. iii. sect. 2.) 
Mr Stuart, author of Caledonia Roxana (p. 177), declares his 
belief that “the whole of this lower district (towards the mouth of 
the Carron) had in all likelihood been covered by the sea when 
the Roman forces occupied the Wall of Antonine. It is likewise 
probable that the entire plain between Inneravon and Grahams- 
town (that is, the whole of the Falkirk carse) was at the same 
period subject to the influx of the tide, which may even have 
penetrated the deeper hollows of the Carron as far up as 
Dunipace.” 
In a footnote at the end of his long communication, Sir Archibald 
writes as follows : — 
“ I have not deemed it necessary to increase the length of this com- 
munication by controverting the alleged Roman origin of certain road- 
ways and other traces of art found along the present coast-line at a 
height of less than 20 feet above high-water mark. The causeway of 
logs, for instance, which crossed a part of the Kincardine Moss, in the 
Carse. of Stirling, is commonly spoken of as Roman, but this is mere 
conjecture. The bronze vessel found in the same moss, and cited by 
some writers as a Roman camp-kettle, is most certainly of ancient British 
workmanship.” 
The final conclusions drawn from these elaborate investigations 
are thus stated : — 
“ Putting together all the evidence which the antiquities yet dis- 
covered along the Scottish coast-line afford as to the date of the last 
upheaval of the country, we are led to infer that this upheaval must have 
taken place long after the first human population settled in the island — 
long after metal implements had come into use, after even the introduc- 
tion of iron ; and reviewing the position and nature of the relics of the 
Roman occupation, we see no ground why the movement may not have 
been effected since the first century of our era ; nay, there appear to be 
several cogent arguments to make that date the limit of its antiquity ” 
(p. 232). 
The publication of Sir Archibald’s essay naturally attracted 
attention. His theory as to the date of the 25-feet raised beach 
was accepted by some of the leading geologists and archaeologists 
of the day, among whom were Sir Charles Lyell (Antiquity of 
