Arrhæologia Cambrensis. NEW SERIES, No. XVIII.-APRIL, 1854. SKETCH OF WHAT IS KNOWN CONCERNING ROMAN REMAINS IN WALES. No. I. An archæological survey of Roman Remains in Wales has been partially attempted by several members of the Cambrian Archæological Association; but, to be brought to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion, it requires the co-operation of many local as well as general observers; and it also ought to be conducted upon, as well as referred to, some common basis of operations. The Roman roads and camps have been partially examined and traced in Glamorgan, Cardiganshire, Pembrokeshire, and Montgomeryshire; the survey has been carried on still more completely in Flintshire, Anglesey, Caernarvonshire, and Merioneth; while in Monmouthshire very great pains have been taken, attended with marked success, by Mr. Lee, of Caerleon. It is much to be desired that all archæologists, who take an interest in this branch of Cambrian antiquities, should combine their efforts, and should agree upon a common plan of observation, and of, what is very important, verification. The unaided efforts of any one observer ought to be amplified, verified, and systematized by those of other independent observers; it is only thus that archæological truth can be elicited and confirmed. Should no other more eligible plan be ARCH. CAMB., NEW SERIES, VOL. V. M proposed, the author of this paper will be happy to act as a common centre and medium of communication for those of his friends, and for other gentlemen, who may be inclined to join in the same pursuit; and he feels convinced that a series of observations and verifications, carried on in this manner during two or three consecutive years, will enable some one to definitively compile A Map of Wales in the time of the Romans,--the first desideratum towards the compilation of a Cambria Romana. With the view of aiding in this work, the following sketch of what we know concerning Roman remains in Wales is now commenced. The author intends carrying it on by counties; and, as his own observations are necessarily more limited than he could wish, he hopes that other members of the Association will join their efforts to his, as the sketch proceeds, and will send in their own observations and ideas to swell the list, which he is trying to form from the sources now available. Roman remains in Wales may be divided into the following classes :I.-Stations and Camps. III.-Mines. II.-Roads. IV.-Objects of art, coins, &c. The following preliminary positions may be considered as established : First,— That many stations and camps exist in Wales, ~ of which no notice is taken in the Itinera, or in the Notitia. Secondly,--That Roman roads, in Wales, deviated considerably from the rectilineal direction which they have been commonly asserted to maintain ; and that their deviations are to be attributed to the physical difficulties and exigences of the country, or to the state of the uncleared (forest) grounds lying in their course; or to some cause of local attraction, (mines, ports, &c.) Another datum is advanced by the author in the subjoined form, which he is anxious to have verified by other observers, viz., that a Roman station, or any im portant Roman camp, is never found removed from a river a or running stream, or good supply of water. Thus, for instance, should an earthwork, otherwise supposed to be Roman, be found far from water, it may be safely considered as not Roman, but the work of some other people. One important and decidedly authentic instance of an exception to this rule occurs at Tomen y Mur (HERIRI Mons) in Merioneth; but there were probably other circumstances, such as the commanding of certain lines of view, signals, &c., which induced the Romans to fix this station far from a copious stream ; or a pool may have existed near the station, which has since been drained (it is true that it rains at Tomen y Mur for 300 days out of the 365); but the existence of this exceptional case immediately indicates the value of observations of verification. This is the more necessary, because there is a disputed station of some importance near Leintwardine, in Herefordshire, the position of which is depending much upon the truth of the datum now sought to be established. The author will feel particularly obliged for any observations bearing on this point. Another datum is also advanced in the following shape:– That, in Wales, we are not always to expect to find a Roman road in the form of a raised terrace-road, paved or firmly banked; but that, whether in some cases according to its original plan of construction, or in others from subsequent wear and tear of ground, Roman roads are sometimes to be found now as ditches-even as water Instances of this occur in Caernarvonshire, near Aber; in Monmouthshire, near Abergavenny; and, it is believed, in Glamorgan, near Loughor. Observations of verification are much to be wished for with regard to this point also, which is advanced with some degree of doubt. It is also a point worth the consideration of observers, whether British trackways, coeval with Roman roads, may not exist in Wales, and be likely to be mistaken for them. The Romans may have used track ways, which they found already formed ; and, again, after the Roman dominion courses. had ceased, the Britons may have greatly modified the Roman roads. And so too with the stations; thus it may be considered doubtful whether the Romans did not fix themselves at Caernarvon, (SEGONTIVM,) because it was already the residence of a chieftain of some tribe of the Ordovices; or whether they were attracted thither by the advantages of the harbour at the termination of the Menai Strait; as well as whether they were the first discoverers of the natural advantages of the site of Caerleon (Isca SILVRVM); or of that of Chester (Deva). In trying to trace out Roman roads, stations and other points of this kind in districts bordering on the sea coast, it is of importance to bear in mind that the low lands on the Welsh coasts, particularly in the west, have undergone great modifications from the action of the sea. Thus the Romans found a convenient port near St. David's, (MENAPIA,) though this town is now covered up deep in sand. They most probably had only a narrow channel to be ferried across into Mona, at the north-eastern end of the Menai Strait, where now the Lavan Sands are spread out so widely. How they came from Chester, (Deva,) across the Dee, and into Flintshire, is not yet determined, so greatly have all the features of the wide marsh of Saltney been subsequently changed. Here again observations of verification are particularly to be desired. The author intends commencing his sketch with the counties of Flint, Denbigh and Anglesey, in the next number, and he will feel much obliged by any observations, &c., which may be communicated to him in the meantime through the Editors. H. L.J. LIST OF THE PRE-HISTORIC REMAINS OF WALES, ARRANGED ACCORDING TO COUNTIES. No. I. Іт may be of use towards proving the value, and promoting the study of the early, or Pre-historic, remains of Wales, if an attempt be made to compile a list of them according to counties, for the sake of local reference and verification. It may may tend towards encouraging the preservation of such remains as are still visible; but in this case expectation goes no further than hope. Hitherto very little value has been set upon these, the earliest, monuments of our forefathers; and often-indeed lately—the researches of archæologists, by awakening unenlightened curiosity or cupidity, have only promoted their destruction. Until antiquaries are agreed, by means of their societies, upon a systematic and co-operative plan of action, and until arrangements have been made with local or central museums for the preservation and classification of archæological objects when discovered, the exhuming of the relics which the camp, the carnedd, or the cistvaen may enclose, amounts almost certainly to their destruction. If not lost, they are absorbed in private collections-unclassed, unstudied, and unknown; they remain there during the lifetime, perhaps, of the possessor, and at his death they are either sold, or given ultimately as playthings to children. With very rare exceptions, the most unenlightened indifference, and ignorance of their historical value, prevails throughout Wales, with regard to her Pre-historic remains; there are few Welshmen qualified to undertake a 1 Since the last meeting of the Association some valuable Prehistoric relics—including, as we understand, several gold articles have been discovered and made away with, in the district between Barmouth and Dolgellau. The explorations of Mr. Wynne Ffoulkes and others, among the Clwydian camps, have led to the rifling and destroying of many tumuli in the vale of Clwyd by the tenants. |