Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/325

SlLCHEf?TER. 280 The last line we shall examine is that diverging from tlii^ north gate ; and if we take the line of entrenchment in Ford's Copse for it, leading, as it does, towards Panghou.rne, we nnist do so on the appearance and course of thu en- trenchment alone, and not from any other evidence of flints or embedded gravel. It nmst be observed, however, that each of these road-like entrenchments, the one pointing towards Winchester, that towards Old Sarum, and tliis to- wards Pangbourne, branch oflf from this place at a j)rojectiun in the exterior line of defence, and in two instances at a Roman gateway. This does not prove them to have been roads, but may lead to the supposition that they were co- eval with the Roman work, if not made before it. On the other hand, it seems unlikely that works of the kind would liave remained even so perfect as they are, during the long- period which elapsed from the building of the wall to the destruction of the place, occupied as the place must have been by a numerous })opulation. Such are the principal works connected with Silchester. We will now, lastly, proceed to add some observations on two other lines of entrenchment in the neighbourhood, which, though unconnected with Silchester, or with each other, may deserve a notice. The first we may describe is situated on Mortimer Heath, about a mile and a half from Silchester, in a N. by E. direction.^ The length of the entrenchment, which consists of a rampart, and ditch on the north side, is about 380 yards, its west end resting on the Reading road at about 450 yards after it leaves the Mortimer and Aldermaston road ; its course is E.N.E. On the opposite side of the road, to the west end of this entrenchment, at a distance of about 180 yards in a west direction, and near a deep ravine which has been artificially made into a pond, is an oval space, of about |40 by 60 yards in extent, having the appearance of, and I ^ " At the distance of about a mile and according to a tradition current among a half from Silchester, towards the north- the country people, at one time entirely West, there still exists a long embankment surrounded the city. This last work nmst pf earth with its ditch, which, after being have constituted an external fortification, intemipted for about two miles, appears strengthening the place ; the former is, again in a spot situated due north of the probably, a remnant of some cntrench- [own, near the village of Mortimer ; and ment which had been raised for the pro- in the immediate vicinity of the walls, near teetion of an army acting on the defensive, the north gate, are the remains of another and covering the town on that side." [-•lubaukment of the same kind, which, (United Service Journal, Jan. 183G, p. 38.)