It is curious to add that some of the tiles which have been found tell a silent tale, which they were never intended to carry, of the dress or hand or foot of the maker, which have become accidentally impressed upon their surface while in a soft state, and are afterwards rendered imperishable by firing in the kiln. One example of this kind of accidental ornamentation (Fig. 207), which exhibits the impress of a man’s feet, or, rather, shoes thickly studded with nails,--like the “hob-nailed” boots of our own day,--will suffice as an illustration. [Illustration: Fig. 219.--Clay Coffin, Aldborough.] One extraordinary and highly interesting use of tiles among the Roman inhabitants of Britain was that of forming them into tombs.[26] A large tile was laid flat on the ground; two others of the same length were placed upright, one at each side, to form the sides; two shorter ones were placed upright as ends; and another tile formed the cover (Fig. 216). Thus a fictile cist, or chest, was formed, and in this was deposited the sepulchral urn containing the ashes of the departed, with its accompanying group of smaller vessels. Cists of this kind are found frequently in the Roman cemeteries at Colchester. “The practice of enclosing or covering the sepulchral deposits with tiles appears to have been so general, that the word _tegula_, a tile, was often used to signify a tomb. The reader will at once call to mind the lines of Ovid:-- “Est honor et tumulis; animas placate paternas, Parvaque in extinctas munera ferte pyras. Parva petunt manes; pietas pro divite grata est Munere; non avidos Styx habet ima deos. _Tegula_ projectis satis est velata coronis, Et sparsæ fruges, parcaque mica salis.” It appears from these lines that it was the custom for the relatives to place garlands, fruit, and salt on the tile which covered the sepulchral deposit.[27] At York, graves, or rather tombs, formed of a number of roof-tiles, have been found. Fig. 218 represents one of these curious tombs. It was formed of ten roof-tiles, four of which were placed on either side, and one at each end, and four ridge tiles arranged along the top. Each tile bore the impressed stamp of the VI. Legion (Leg. VI., _Legio sexta victrix_--the sixth legion victorious). In these tile-tombs urns had in one instance been placed; in another (the one engraved) were the remains of the funeral fire, with the ashes of the dead. Clay coffins have also occasionally been found. One of these, from Aldborough, is shown on Fig. 219. Lamps were undoubtedly made in various parts of this kingdom, and were more or less ornamented; some bear excellently executed figures and other devices. Many appear to have been made at Colchester, and are spoken of by Mr. Roach Smith in his “Collectanea Antiqua.” The pot works at this place appear to have been on the Lexden Road, where a kiln and many other remains have been brought to light.