Gents Mag 1868 part 1 p.223

---

	introduction
	list, 3rd qtr 19th century
	Gentleman's Magazine 1868 part 1 p.223
roman site   Nether Denton
	Roman Site, Nether Denton Cumberland. - Dr. Bruce announced the discovery of Roman foundations at Nether Denton, about two miles south of the Roman Wall, nearly opposite Lanercost. They were brought to light by the rector, the Rev. T. Trafford Shipman, while building on a plot of ground marked in the Ordnance map (with questionable correctness) as the site of a camp. Dr. Bruce could trace the lines of walls and those unmistakeable appearances in the ground which denote the remains of buildings. All sorts of speculations have been made as to the actual character of these remains, and the object of the camp, if a camp it were; but the pickaxe and spade, those truthful expositors of the buried mysteries of the past, would do more in one day to determine the real nature of the place than an age of conjectures based on outward appearances. At some little distance from this supposed camp, at the base of the hill, Mr. Shipman has made further discoveries, which go towards indicating the establishment of residences over a considerable period. Dr. Bruce observes:- "I cannot suggest a better theory than that the spot has been a burial ground; but the quantity of articles found in it belonging to the abodes of living men seems rather inconsistent with the idea. The quantity of the remains found in so small a spot is quite remarkable. The quality of them also struck me; they seemed to indicate that the Romans located in this vicinity were richer and of more luxurious habits than those living in the central and eastern districts of the Wall. Several coins have been found. Amongst them are four denarii; one I take to be a Grecian coin; another is a false coin of Domitian. Most of the brass coins are too much corroded to admit of recognition; amongst them, however, are three of Trajan. So far as these coins go, they are quite consistent with a period of occupation equivalent to that of the early part of Hadrian's reign. Some exceedingly fine bowls of Samian ware have been found. There are specimens of Caistor ware and other kinds of pottery; some mortaria and fragments of glass bottles of the usual square shape and green colour; and five large green glass beads. Amongst the remains were the fragments of several wine amphorae. The only use these could be of in a burying ground would be to hold the ashes of the individuals who perhaps had themselves imbibed their previous contents. The most curious earthenware utensil which I noticed was one that had a perforated strainer placed in front of the spout, out of which the liquid was intended to be poured or sucked. I have seen none like it. I noticed portions of three millstones formed of Andernach stone. The metallic remains found are considerable. There is a small bronze cylinder, apparently intended for some other use, but which appears to have been presed into service as a lamp. It is about half full of a wax-like substance, with a cotton wick in the centre. Can it be of the same age as the other articles? There is an iron vessel of the shape of a Roman lamp, but of larger size. I do not remember ever seeing an iron lamp; and Mr. C. Roach Smith suggests to me (which I have no doubt is the correct view) that it is a
	next page
	gazetteer links
	-- (roman fort, Chapelburn)

Lakes Guides menu.

---