Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/393

 GAULISH FORTRESSES ON THE COAST OF BRITTANY. 329 the case from the cinders and charcoal among which they were found, and from the foct that all of them bear maiks of the violent heat to which they have been exposed. The same thing had occurred on the hearth where the burnt bones and shells mentioned above were discovered. These facts seem to warrant the conjecture that the same persons who took this castle were the authors also of this destruction. One thing, however, appears to me, from a careful examina- tion of the whole ground, that, after the sacking and destruction of the castle, it was then finally and for ever abandoned. After the description of this castle and the objects contained within it, follows naturally the question, ho were the inhabitants ? They could not be Bretons of the early Middle Ages, because the arms and implements of that people were totally diffei-ent from those of the occupants of Castel Coz. I do not wish to suggest that, as regards industrial details, the Bretons were much more advanced : I am even convinced that in some respects (as, for example, that of pottery) they were their inferiors ; nor were their habitations better con- structed, but iron, which is so rare in our fortresses, was in general use with them. The Bretons had besides borrowed from Koman civilization certain implements and forms of vases, which are entirely wanting at Castel Coz. l^or was it the llomans race that left such extensive traces of residence in so many parts of our country of so lasting and decided a cha- racter. The Romans, besides, were too skilful tacticians to establish themselves in such situations as that of Castle Coz, where the}' could not take advantage of their military supe- riority. We have, therefore, no alternative but to place as far back as the time of Gaulish independence the occupation of this fortress. The comparison of these habitations with others noticed in France and in certain other localities, the Gaulish ori<'iii of which is established by historic documents, does not permit us to doubt that Castel Coz was a Gaulish oppidum, analogous to those which Caesar has described in his Commentaries. The place was, moreover, admirably calcu- lated for a place of refuge to a population accustomed to rough weather, and to whom the most simple conveniences of life were unknown. Not only were the inhabitants safe from all attacks of enemies, but nature had sup])lied them