Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/60

30 Upon referring to the title-deeds of the Lamel-hill property, I find that whilst in some of the writings the name is given as we now write it, in others (1744) it is called Lamon-hill, and in others (1794) Lamb-hill. In the very document, indeed, by which this property was conveyed to the Retreat, in 1839, the mound is called Lamb-hill. In this case, at least, it must have been (as it probably was in the others) a simple clerical error. Still, however, the question arises whether the original name may not really have been Lamb-hill. Lamb is a Saxon word, and it appears at least as probable that the name of this mound should have descended to us from the Saxon as from the Norman. This etymology, however, like others which have been proposed to me, and which derive the word Lamel from lam, and from lea and mela, (Saxon) appears quite doubtful.

Let us now direct our attention to the tumulus itself. I have already described its situation, on the summit of the rising ground to the south of the road to Heslingion. It is however really situated somewhat on the southern slope of this higher ground, and consequently has a greater elevation above the surrounding fields on the south side, than on the north. It has a diameter from east to west of about 110 feet, and of about 125 feet from north to south. Its base, which measures about 375 feet in circumference, has therefore a circular form inclining to an oval. The tumulus presents a decidedly more gradual slope on the north side than in any other direction; but this may, in part, have resulted from the road to the mill having been on this side, and from the miller's cottage having stood at the foot of the mound on the north-east. At the summit, is a tolerably level area, having a circumference of about 100 feet. The height of the tumulus above the surrounding field and garden on the west, is 14⋅5 feet; on the north, 15⋅4 feet; on the east, 15⋅7 feet; and, on the south, 22⋅5 feet. The height above the ground at Walmgate Bar is 73⋅5 feet. The height above the summer level of the river Ouse is 90 feet.

About seven years ago, when Lamel-hill was planted, and a walk made to its summit, a few human bones were thrown up; and during the winter of 1847-8, when a deeper walk was cut in the side of the hill, human remains, in still greater number, were discovered. At first, I concluded that these bones, which were found even within two feet of the surface, were those of soldiers of the Parliamentary army under Fairfax,