Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/502

 388 ROMAN ROADS, CAMPS, AND EARTHWORKS, continuation of, the great dike, between the Swale and the Tees. See the accompanying plan. The spot where the Church and Kirkbridge Farm stands would seem to have been isolated at one time, for even now on the north and east sides traces of water courses are visible ; and, in digging a drain lately, the gravelly bottom of the stream was apparent,— indeed, the form of the ground on the north of the Church would lead to the supposition that the natural course of the stream was on that side, and that the present channel has been formed subsequently. This spot having been undoubtedly much occupied, the dis- covery of ancient remains might have been expected here, and some small tumuli immediately north of the house were accordingly excavated, but nothing remarkable was found. If the supposition of Dr. Whitaker, that these singular entrenchments are British, be entertained as probable, some traces of Druidical worship might not unreasonably be looked for in such a locality. Such a spot presents itself in Hcnah,^ ]wssibly the Henallt — or " ancient Height " of the British tribes, who may have occupied the several quadrilaterals with their cattle indepen- dently, and collectivehj have worshipped on the mount, and fought together within the bastion of the Tofts. No Druidical stones, however, have as yet been found beneath the undisturbed, rich pasture of the hill, nor can the small circle round the decayed and picturesque trees assure the inquirer, that it was raised for other purpose than to protect the rising plantation. But, if the entrenchments are British, the tribe who dwelt within them had, it is presumed, an altar, for which this elevated spot, from its eastern position and the deep circum- vallation round a great part of it, would seem a very probable situation. It must be confessed, however, that nothing like .these entrenchments have ever come under our notice, either in Cornwall, where works of the Britons are supposed to abound, or in South Wales, where their encampments are very common. We can hardly suppose that these earthworks are Roman, on account of the irrcgulaiity of their angular formation. A third supposition has been entertained, that they are of Saxon or Danish origin ; but we have no certain evidence