On the north of this place, and on a line bisecting the right-angle just mentioned, at the distance of about 220 yards, are the remains of a tumulus, which, as far as could be judged from cursory examination and inquiry on the spot, seemed to be ancient. It is probable, that, when this was at its original height, Cataractonium to the south, Hang Bank on the north, and the hill of Diderston on the north-west, may have been visible from its top; it would thus have served as a convenient signal post. At about a quarter of a mile north of the point of intersection the road makes a counter bend so as to point due north; it is difficult to explain the necessity for this second angle, for, though the original change to the westward was required in order to reach the favourable ford over the Tees at Pierse Bridge, this deviation would have been more readily accomplished had a straight line been drawn from the point of intersection to Pierse Bridge, than by the double bend adopted in this instance, for which the nature of the ground does not suggest any reason.
In proceeding northward towards Pierse Bridge, the Roman Way was to the right of the present road, and distant from it about its own breadth, and, as Horsley observes, "continues visible,"[1] though the stones have been nearly all taken to mend the modern road. It is indicated on the map by a dotted line. Between Kneeton and Hang Bank it falls in with the present road, and continues along it till we come within about 150 yards of Hang Bank, where the present road, and probably the ancient one, turns aside to the eastward to avoid the hill, regaining the line a little below the bank, and crossing to the westward to avoid a small stream at Springs Bridge, regaining the line again about 130 yards beyond Springs Bridge.[2] Thence it crosses Wath Bridge at about 290 feet above the sea, and, rising to a height of 325 feet at Loesy Cross, continues the same straight line to within 500 yards of the Tees, where it bends to the eastward, coinciding with the present road, to within 180 yards of the river; thence the Roman line seems to have continued straight down the narrow lane and over the ford to a hollow way, which now forms the boundary between Gainford and Carlbury.[3] See the Plan of Pierse Bridge Camp in the accompanying illustrations.
- ↑ Brit. Romana, p. 401.
- ↑ One of the men employed in making the causeway at this place, some years since, informed us, that the Roman work was found considerably below the surface.
- ↑ The occurrence of this name so near to the Roman Camp, renders it probable that the Britons called the place Caer, and that the Saxons added their own word Bury—a "Camp."
