CONGRESS of ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, 26Tb, 19 IS
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CONGRESS of ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES, 26tb, 19 IS. EEPOKT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ANCIENT EARTHWORKS & FORTIFIED ENCLOSURES. COMMITTEE. The Right Hon. the EAKL OF CKAWFOED and BALCARKES, V.P.S.A. (Chairman). A. HADRIAN ALLCBOFT, M.A. Professor F. HAVEBFIELD, M.A., W. J. ANDREW, F.S.A. F.S.A. Col. F. W. T. AITBEE, F.S.A. W. H. ST. JOHN HOPE, M.A., G. A. AXIDEN, M.A., M.D., F.S.A. Litt. D., D.C.L. C. H. BOTHAMLEY, F.I.C. H. LAVEB, F.S.A. A. G. CHATEE. C. LYNAM, F.S.A. J. G. N. CLIFT. D. H. MONTGOMEBIE, F.S.A. B. S. COBBOLD, C.E., F.G.S. Sir Hercules BEAD, LL.D., ROBERT COCHEANE, I.S.O., P.S.A. LL.D., F.S.A. J. HOEACE ROUND, LL.D. S. DENISON. Col. 0. E. BUCK, F.S.A. Scot. WlLLOUGHBY GAEDNER. W. M. TAPP, LL.D., F.S.A. A. B. GODDABD, B.A. Sir B. C. A. WINDLE, F.B.S. ALBANY F. MAJOE, Hon. Sec. of Committee on Ancient Earthworks, (Address: 30, The Waldrons, Croydon,) REPORT OF THE EARTHWORKS COMMITTEE. The Committee are glad to say that the instances of damage or destruction included in this year's Eeport are fewer, and, on the whole, less serious than last year. The gravest cases are perhaps the destruction of ancient remains near Bristol, in the course of preparing the show-ground for the annual meeting of the Eoyal Agricultural Society, and the damage to Bokerly Dyke, reported by Mr. H. St. George Gray. In the former case the Committee have appealed to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society to discourage such vandalism in connection with their shows, but up to the present their appeal has been merely acknowledged. They regard the fact of damage of the kind reported being done with the apparent sanction of so important a public body as very serious. In the case of Bokerly Dyke there seems a danger of the damage continuing, and it is to be hoped that the Dorset Field Club and the Wiltshire Archaeological Society will use their influence to have it stopped, and to have this important earthwork placed under proper protection. Various instances of the continued destruction of earthworks for commercial purposes, such as quarrying, reappear in the Report. Nothing but further legisla- tion can enable public bodies interested in the preserva tion of ancient remains to intervene effectually in such cases. The Committee suggest that Archaeological and Architectural Societies should be invited to urge upon their Members of Parliament and other influential individuals the desirability of the " Ancient Monuments Consolidation and Amendment Bill," which has been introduced into the House of Lords during the present Session, being proceeded with. The information received for the Report shows that there is increasing activity in the preservation and recording of ancient earthworks, and the Committee are glad to note the acquisition of Maiden Castle, Dorches ter, Dorset, by the Duchy of Cornwall. This appears to have already resulted in steps being taken to repair damage to the ramparts. The appointment of Eoyal Commissions for record ing ancient historic monuments is undoubtedly having an excellent effect in calling public attention to their great value. The Committee are glad to state that the scheme for Recording Ancient Defensive Earthworks, etc., adopted by the Congress of Archaeological Societies, is used by the Royal Commission for Wales and Mon- mouth. The Royal Commission for England, however, while following generally the scheme of classification recommended by the Committee, so far as it is applic able, do not see their way to quote in their Reports the division into classes recommended in the scheme. The Army Manoeuvres for 1912 took place near Cambridge in a district traversed by important earth- works, such as the Fleam and the Devil's Dykes. It was observed that the Manosuvres Instructions issued by the War Office, while calling attention to the importance of ancient monuments being respected during the opera tions, gave an inadequate description of the class of monuments likely to be injured unwittingly. Attention was called to this, and the instructions were amended in accordance with the Committee's suggestions. The Committee desire to thank the War Office for their action and for their anxiety to prevent damage to ancient monuments under their charge. They also desire to tender their thanks to General Sir A. J. Murray, K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O., Chief Compensation Officer at the man oeuvres, for the personal interest he took in this question. I For other points of interest the Committee would refer to the various items of information which have reached them, which follow under the usual headings. In order to shorten the Eeport it has been necessary to exclude from it and from the Bibliography various notes that have been sent in respecting masonry works, Eoman and other, which are outside the proper sphere of the Committee. In conclusion they wish to tender their thanks to the Secretaries of the various Societies affiliated to the Union, as well as to all correspondents who have helped them in their work, or supplied them with information for their Keport. ENGLAND AND WALES. PRESERVATION AND RECORD. CARMARTHENSHIRE. The risk of the "Bulwarks," the unique Civil War ramparts' at Carmarthen, being damaged by builders, has been represented by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society and Field Club to the Eoyal Commission on Ancient Historical Monu ments for Wales and Monmouthshire. CUMBEBLAND.- -The megalithic circle near Keswick has been acquired by Canon Kawnsley for the National Trust. DENBIGHSHIRE. A tine bronze age tumulus, at Llanrwst, has been saved from sudden demolition at the hands of a farmer by the timely intervention of the Nant Conwy Antiquarian Society. (See also under Exploration.) DOESETSHIEE. The Earthworks Committee of the Dorset Field Club has appointed ten members to visit, measure, describe and mark on the 6-inch Ordnance Map, all the earthworks and megalithic remains in five selected parishes, two members to each parish. When this work is complete five other parishes will be chosen for similar work. Maiden Castle has been purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall. It was already one of the few monuments scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Act. Mr. C. B. Peers, Secretary, S.A., Inspector of Ancient Monuments, has had extensive works carried out to counteract the damage done by rabbits, and the slopes of the banks are in far better condition than they have been for years. GLAMORGAN. Colonel W. LI. Morgan reports that he has arranged with Mr. Glyn Price, agent of the Duke of Beaufort, to T 6 prevent stone being taken from the earthworks at Penller Castell on Mynydd Gwair, aboye Llangyfelach. These earthworks, which are in a very lonely place and seldom visited, will be placed under the charge of the wardens of the common. HAMPSHIRE. Endeavours are being made by the Hampshire Field Club to save Winkelbury Camp, near Basingstoke, from threatened destruction, owing to its sale for building purposes to a small-holders' Company. The price asked is too great to admit of its acquisition by the Club, but attempts are still being made to avert the danger. LANCASHIRE. The North Lonsdale Field Club reports favourably as to the steps taken for the preservation of earthworks in its district. LEICESTERSHIRE. A Committee has been appointed to prepare a list of objects to be scheduled as ancient monuments. SHROPSHIRE. A Committee has been formed in the county with members in every district to watch for any proposed alteration, or removal, of ancient remains. SURREY. The Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society is carrying out a Eegional Survey of a considerable area round Croydon, in which earthworks and other ancient remains will be included. The same Society recently visited Castlehill, near God- stone, where the 6-inch Ordnance Map marks " Remains of camp." Actually the Society found in existence a promontory camp in a rather unusual position, fairly perfect and in good preservation, except that the ditch appears to have been ploughed out. There has been some correspondence in the Press, initiated by the Earl of Rosebery, respecting the preservation and upkeep of the Roman Eoad, near Epsom, a section of which is said to be still in use, though apparently much neglected and disowned by the local authorities. SUSSEX. An Earthworks Survey Section of the Brighton and Hove Archaeological Club has been formed. Under the direction of Mr. H. S. Toms, the section has been actively engaged in searching out and surveying many pastoral earthworks and ancient roads round Brighton. Various examples of these, hitherto overlooked, have already been recorded, and it is believed that the section has not yet come to the end of the discoveries that await it. WESTMORLAND. The Roman Camp at Wafcerhead, near Amble- side, has been acquired from the intending builders, and is now in the hands of the National Trust. WILTSHIRE. At the request of the County Council a list of earthworks in the county, worthy of preservation, has been compiled by Mr. B. H. Cunnington and the Rev. E. H. Goddard, and has been printed. YORKSHIRE. The plans and sketches of earthworks on the York shire Wolds, made by the late Mr. J. R. Mortimer, of Driffield, are now in the care of Mr. T. Sheppard, Curator of the Hull Municipal Museum. The Hunter Archaeological Society is endeavouring to raise funds to buy the site of the Roman Camp at Templeborough, between Sheffield and Rotherham, with a view to its examination and preservation in perpetuity. The North Riding County Council offered to take charge of Rey Cross, on Bowes Moor, but the Lords in Trust of Bowes Manor were unwilling to part with the control.