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referred to arrowheads were made intentionally, and are not merely accidental products.

Various other flint articles have been found which cannot be readily referred to any of the above classes. Other articles discovered include various well-shaped pieces of chert, worked in the same manner as flint; vein quartz, apparently worked; a sandstone, worked at the edges; pieces of pottery, and fragments of bones; miscellaneous articles, such as lumps of lead, covered with a thick white coat, one piece weighing about 24 ounces; a bronze buckle, about 1 in. long, showing file markings-probably mediæval; numerous pipeIt is not suggested that all the articles

stems, etc.

found on the site are coeval.

With regard to the age of this site, a comparison with similar flint factories recorded from Pembrokeshire and elsewhere suggests that it dates from the Neolithic period, but the presence of the other articles. shows that the site was occupied for some purposes in much later times.

The above list is by no means complete, but it is proposed to publish a full account at an early date. Having regard, however, to the rarity of flint finds in Cardiganshire, it is thought that this preliminary account may be of some interest, and may stimulate others to look out for similar sites, particularly near the coast, where a supply of raw material was available in the beaches.

The majority of the articles found are exhibited in the Museum of the University College of Wales, and it would be useful if subsequent finders of worked flints at or near the above site would kindly bring them to the notice of the Curator of the Museum, so that all possible evidence of prehistoric man in this locality may be recorded.

1 Law's Little England beyond Wales, Chapter II.

ROMAN ROADS IN NORTH WALES

BY WM. B. HALHED.

THE Roman road from Deva (Chester) vid Varae of Antonine's Itinerary to Kanovium on the River Conwy, and thence to Segontium, has not hitherto, with the exception of the portion near to Chester, been systematically worked out.

In various maps, drawn to show ascertained roads in Britain, different courses are given of that one leading from Deva into North Wales. Mr. T. Codrington (Roman Roads in Great Britain, pp. 87, 88) cites Mr. Shrubsole's view' that the line lay vid Hawarden to Flint, and "thence by a doubtful course" to Caerwys, where he places Varae. His suggestion commands consideration, for the route has been carefully worked out to fit in with the length of journey set forth in the Itinerary of Antoninus, but the lines are very devious. He also assumes that Caerwys may be converted into Varae, a matter only for etymologists to determine. The Rev. George Herbert (p. 392) suggested a different way, and onwards to St. Asaph, proceeding thence via Bettws yn Rhos and Gofer, on high land to the Conwy River. But, assuming that the Hawarden-Flint route was for commercial purposes only, i.e., minerals, and the Romans assuredly made many roads, an alternative road vid Mold to Denbigh, and continuing við Llansannan and Llangerniew to the Conwy seems the most direct course for military service, while it has the advantage of an easier alignment, and if in the past bog-land intervened, as Mr. Shrubsole avers, in opposing such a route, that character of obstruction Roman engineers were capable of dealing with, and did

6TH SER, VOL. XII.

Arch. Camb., 1892, p. 257.

15

so in other parts of Britain. The Ordnance Map shows that this line draws out nearly straight as physical conditions permitted according to Roman plan to their objective, a fordable point on the river near to Kanovium. Mr. Herbert's track is more circuitous, and ends at Tal y Cafn, where the Conwy is not fordable.

On the Llangerniew to Kanovium track, shown. in the accompanying map, reduced from the Ordnance 6 in. survey, a peculiar feature is the Ffordd Las (Green road) (10) running absolutely straight for 3 to 3 miles to the summit, Pen y Mynydd. That track could only have been laid out for a definite purpose, needful at the time. Now it is in entire disuse, and has been so for a very lengthened period, perhaps ever since the Roman occupation ceased. As will be shown, there is some evidence of its having been an old road possibly of Roman structure.

This preliminary statement is needed for a comprehension of the details now to follow, and of the general puzzle presented to investigators into the matter of Roman highways and trackways to and in North Wales. In the total absence at present of exact knowledge as to whereabouts in the Vale of Clwyd Varae was situated, the difficulties presented are considerable. It is only by patient walking of long distances, and careful observation, together with judicious use of pick and spade, that any certainty can be arrived at.

The Nant Conwy Antiquarian Society has collected many details relating to Roman roads and tracks during the past ten years since its inauguration, and three members, Messrs. Willoughby Gardner, W. B. Halhed, and Rev. T. Roberts, R. N., undertook a preliminary task of working out a first section, the Conwy River to Llangerniew, with the direct cooperation of Lord Aberconway, and his son the Hon. H. McLaren, M.P. The examinations made were all on the Bodnant property; a generous supply of

labourers on the estate was given, and the service of a motor car.

There were prior indications to induce following this route, such as Llyn Syberi (the Latin superior reduced to Welsh); Lletty, of which name several such exist in Wales, meaning literally a Half House, shed, temporary lodgings, but also in Ancient Welsh an Inn'; and Ffordd Las already mentioned, long suspected by Mr. Gardner to be part of the Roman Road. The road from Llangerniew ascends to Pen y Mynydd to nearly 1200 ft. above sea level: it drops by a very precipitous course into the valley where Eglwys Bach stands at 95 ft., then rises past Lletty (5) to Llyn Syberi, about 600 ft. to 700 ft., and after a short distance falls again to close on sea level, where the Conwy is easily fordable at low water at several points; this special spot being locally known as Porth Allt Goch, the Ferry of the Red Rock. Such a ferry existed within living memory. This description gives an idea of the country that had to be traversed.

Starting early on the 21st August last, the party explored the river end of the track by taking the modern woodland lane near Dyto (2), and, acting on a suggestion of the head forester, two men were left to dig out a section of an old disused path at point (2a); then proceeding up the hill other men were left to work out three or four sections at point (3), which the Rev. T. Roberts had previously examined.

Perhaps the result of this digging, visited later in the day, is better given here. Though not absolutely conclusive, it was not altogether negative, for the sections cut showed, under a considerable accumulation of vegetable mould, indications of a thick rubble foundation, and at the west end of the lane cobble stones fitted together were found. Retracing their steps by a more likely path through the wood to the river, the explorers found that the labour of the 1 Davies's Dictionary, 1632; Genesis 43, v. 21, for instance, where the English word Inn is rendered Lletty.

B

Quarry

8)

Church

Smithy Eglwys Bach (7)

B

Precipitous Road

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S

Mile

14

1/2

3/4

Road to Llanrwst

Mug River Conway

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