having been a bank of gravel formed by the subsidence of the stream, as had been generally supposed, the mound, although in the lapse of ages it has lost its shape, may have been originally raised by man as a tumulus, in which to entomb the coffins, the adjacent bed of the river affording an abundant supply of materials.
It is evident from the shape of the cavities in these Cists, and from the bones found in one of them, that cremation of the dead was not the practice of the people who formed these interesting relics; they seem, however, to belong to a period about coeval with the Roman occupation of Britain, or immediately subsequent to the departure of that people. The rudeness of formation clearly proves that they do not belong to a time when it was the practice to ornament with sculpture the depositories of the dead.
An ancient road which enters the county of York at Piers Bridge over the Tees, has been distinctly traced to Cataractonium (now Thornborough).near the present Catterick Bridge over the Swale, and from thence to Kilgram Bridge over the Eure or Yore, from whence to a place called "Roman Ridge," near Ripon, the line passes by the boundaries of the Mar or Mere Field before mentioned, to the westward of the town of Masham, and to the eastward of the small oval camp in Swinton Park, and of the neighbouring larger square camp adjoining Nutwith Common. From the Roman ridge the line becomes less distinct, but seems to take the direction of the camp on the How Hill, about four Roman miles from Ripon, and nine from Isurium (Aldborough), and after crossing the river Nidd, to the westward of Ripley, joins the Watling Street about midway in its course from Isurium to Olicana (Ilkley), situate on the Wharfe.
It may be observed that British remains have been discovered at Swinton Park: a representation of a very remarkable gold ornament, there found, is given in this number of the Journal, Plate 60. Roman vessels of bronze were found in 1845, at Roundhill, in Arnagill, about six miles to the westward, immediately under the great range of the western high moors. Two of these vessels, patellæ of bronze, from the Swinton Museum, were exhibited at York, in the museum formed during the meeting of the Institute in that city; and we are now enabled to give representations of them. The metal is of a superior kind, and the workman-
