Minor Prehistoric Remains of Britain. 
121 
care, and the materials removed restored if possible on the 
completion of the work, so as to avoid any permanent dis¬ 
figurement. The so-called “ exploration ” of many ancient 
structures, whose venerable antiquity should have rendered 
them sacred, has often been conducted in a manner which 
can only be called an act of desecration. How frequently do 
we read in local histories such statements as the following :— 
“ On-Common there formerly stood a large mound 
of earth supposed to be a tumulus, which was opened by 
Mr.-in the year-, but nothing of any interest was 
found, except a few fragments of pottery and some decayed 
bones ” / Such passages as this, which is not a verbatim 
extract, but simply an ideal specimen illustrating the kind of 
destruction that has been going on, lead to the supposition 
that the prevailing idea in opening a tumulus is the discovery 
of hidden treasure. Any other find is considered devoid of 
interest, and the scientific value of the structure is for ever 
lost by the scattering of its contents. 
The ancient monument committees of local societies, in 
addition to the preparation of catalogues and the conducting 
of explorations, would have another important function to 
fulfil; they might take upon themselves the duties of vigil¬ 
ance committees, keeping a watchful eye upon the ancient 
remains in their neighbourhood, and preventing as far as 
possible their destruction. In the case of minor remains 
which were not considered worth scheduling for State protec¬ 
tion, opportunities would often occur for investigating with¬ 
out incurring the expense of systematic excavations. In the 
course of building or agricultural operations, old ramparts 
are frequently cleared away in perfect ignorance of their 
value to the archaeologist: or again, a new road has to be 
made, which in its course passes through the remains of some 
ancient earthwork, now almost obliterated by the hand of 
of time. In such cases the vigilance committee, having pre¬ 
viously catalogued the remains threatened, would endeavour 
to come to some arrangement with the owner of the property, 
and obtain permission to appoint watchers, for the purpose of 
recording the nature and position of any relics that might be 
