The Antiquarian Magazine & Bibliographer; Vol. 4, July-Dec 1884Various
History
The Antiquarian Magazine & Bibliographer; Vol. 4, July-Dec 1884
Various
Archaeology -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Antiquities -- Periodicals
Monday was devoted to an examination of the Roman Wall and the Roman
station of Cilurnum at Chollerford. Dr. Bruce, the venerable topographer
and historiographer of the Roman Wall, acted as guide. The party
proceeded on foot, about 120 strong, to Brunton House, in the grounds of
which they inspected a turret of the wall which has been newly brought
to light, and which doubtless was one of those which occurred at every
mile along the line. Its peculiar construction was made the subject of
some remarks by Dr. Bruce, who also explained the course which the wall
took along the adjoining hillside down to the River Tyne. Following the
course of the wall they came to the river, where they were gratified by
the sight of one of the finest pieces of Roman masonry now to be seen in
England, the foundations and piers of the bridge thrown by Hadrian or
Agricola across the river. The stones are large and square, carefully
fastened together with lead and iron, and morticed in a manner which
would have done credit to the best builder of to-day. Dr. Bruce also
pointed out some round stones which he considered to have been set
upright, with chains or wooden bars between them, as guards on either
side of the passage. Traces of the bases of the other piers are to be
seen in the bed of the river and on the opposite bank. After luncheon
the party continued to follow the course of the wall to the Limestone
bank, where Dr. Bruce again explained the peculiarities of the masonry.
From this they took in their way back Chesters, the seat of Mr. J.
Clayton, which stands on the site of the old Cilurnum, and minutely
inspected the excavations, which are so well known to antiquaries, and
which have been so often described. They were shown the ground-plan of
an entire Roman camp, four-sided and square, with its four gates, each
protected with a double guard-house; even the doorways through which the
Roman soldiers passed in and out could be discerned on a careful
inspection. Not far off was the forum or market place; in it also every
part could be traced, and so could the general’s residence adjoining the
camp outside, and of course on the south side of the wall. Even the
bath-house and the bake-house, with the hypocaust and the ovens _in
situ_ could be made out. The party were here directed to Mr. Clayton’s
magnificent collection of Roman altars and other very ancient treasures
which have been dug up under his orders at various times during the last
half-century, and are arranged under the entrance portico of the house.
Among these are several votive offerings to the Emperors, to the Deæ
Matres, &c., and very many touching memorial tablets, implements of war
and of agriculture, urns, amphoræ, and bones of men and animals. A
similar collection in one of the summer-houses in the garden was also
inspected. Here were seen two beautifully carved life-size figures
representing respectively Cybele and Victory. A finely carved Corinthian
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account