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times, and in the central compartment will be noticed an original leaf of a diptych found at Llandaff about eighty years ago, which, after a sojourn in America, has found a resting-place in this Museum. It is a choice example of French ivory-carving of the thirteenth century, depicting the Crucifixion. Hard by are cases containing a portion of the Gorsedd Regalia, a selection of Pompeian, etc., bronze statuettes and busts, and a number of choice Japanese lacquers and ivories lent by Mr. Emile Andrews, of Cardiff; while in the Small Art Room is a collection of Bow, Chelsea, Chelsea-Derby, and Derby porcelain, lent by Mr. W. S. de Winton.

Since the above was written, the Committee has acquired the collection of ancient stone implements formed by the late Mr. Henry Stopes, F. G. S., F. Anthrop. Inst. It is probably the largest private collection of the kind ever made, and includes many implements of rare forms and of rare occurrence. The collection is too large ever to be exhibited as a whole, and many months must elapse before a selection can be made for this purpose.

ROMAN ROADS IN NORTH WALES.-II

By WM. B. HALHED

(Continued from Arch. Camb., 1912, p. 226)

A

IN continuing this subject, it is desirable to point out, in the absence of historic record, that reasonable. surmise, backed by any confirmatory evidence that results from diligent research, is in the main the only method open to those who endeavour to arrive at conclusions as to the pioneer course of the first Roman generals who penetrated the country. Ordnance Maps are not of much service except when deciding on one probable track as compared with another. reference to the contours of the land and going over the ground itself, helps in approving of the most likely route. Opinions will differ, and a fair illustration in that respect is found as to the line Suetonius Paulinus adopted from Varae to the Conwy River. The leading authority in this country on Roman matters inclines to a route by the present Sarn Rug, Bettws yn Rhos and Gofer to Tal y Cafn, in contrast with the route suggested in the first paper. But while that alternative road was doubtless laid out later in the Roman occupation, there were presumably reasons strategic, and otherwise, to decide against it, apart from the fact that the river is not fordable at Tal y Cafn. For example, the Britons of the extreme North of Wales were decidedly inimical, so much so that Agricola was probably compelled to crush them as well as the Ordovices eighteen years later, before he too followed Suetonius Paulinus to root out what was apparently the controlling influence in Mona. That section of Britons lay in great strength within a short distance of the Sarn Rug, as evidenced by the size of their camps. Again, Kanovium presents now, as in the

6TH SER., VOL. XII.

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past, an easier approach from the south, where the river is fordable, than from Tal y Cafn.

Suetonius, it may be taken, framed his course to Mona on "information received"; crossed the river by fording, which certainly at present is easily done at medium and low tides, either north or south of the Afon Ro (1a). He would naturally proceed to the rising ground which quickly commences at that point, and leave the extensive marshes, still existing, on his left.

In all probability he found a British track to guide him. By kind permission of General and Mrs. Gough this track (1) was sought for and found, leading through the plantation to the south of Caer Rhun, and finally joining the present road from Kanovium camp. The greater part of it is sunk to the depth of 4 ft. or 5 ft. This, a common Roman method, was perhaps constructed later on, and signs of interments, also a common object, exist which Mrs. Gough has kindly permitted to be examined. After the line crossed the public road it went, according to tradition, to what is now a farm, called Dol Marchog (4)-a sufficiently suggestive name, and a likely spot where such cavalry as may have formed part of the force subsequently allotted to Kanovium, were located. Afterwards, it is presumed, it continued to the road (4a) leading from Caer Rhun to where Ro Wen (5) is now situated, and this road, which presents an easy alignment if it be not a straight one, may have been adopted subsequently. From Ro Wen hamlet (5) to the foot of the pass (5a) there is to-day a slight deviation, which probably did not exist nearly nineteen hundred years ago. The ascent from point (5a) to Maen y Bardd Farm (6) is somewhat steep. Here one comes on very distinct signs of a constructed road. The Rev. H. Longueville Jones traced the course to Bwlch y ddeufaen in his letter of November 16th, 1845, which appeared in Arch. Camb., 1846, pp. 70-75, but he made no section of the road, which does not appear to have been completed

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