Page:Roman Manchester (1900) by Charles Roeder.djvu/106



These are very numerous in Gaythorn and Trafford Street, and Bridgewater Street; they all have very large heads and the stem is quadrangular. Sizes of lengths in inches:—

⅞, 1⅜, 1½, 1⅞, 2⅜, 3⅛, 3¾, 4, 4⅛.

The head is from ¼ inch to ⅞ inch in diameter; also a lid or hinge, 1 inches long and ⅝ inch in centre, with three perforations for the nails.

One spear head from Bridgewater Street, 2⅞ inch long.

Half of marble ball, diameter 1¾ inches.

Fine stopper of a marble vase, crusted and the surface eaten away like sugar by the action of carbonic acid. Size: 3 inches long, 2 inches across. From Gaythorn.

The so-called Samian-ware was to the Romans what porcelain is to us moderns. It was the finest production of the potter. Its high value is shown by the discovery of broken vessels united by leaden rivets, of which three instances occur at our station. Some eighteen or nineteen distinct forms are recognised, all designed for table service, and consisting of wine jugs, bowls and cups, vinegar vessels, bowls or basins for soup, vegetables, and other viands, dishes of different shapes and sizes.

The finds in and about Castlefield are extremely numerous. I have collected myself at least five hundred