Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-01-03
BRITISH VILLAGE In OXFORD.

A BRITISH VILLAGE In OXFORD,
Interrst-The Site Considered by Some
AS Dating Back Moro than Two Thou.
sand Years.
The following is from the London
Times of December LIST:
A most remarkable discovery has
been made during the last few DAYS in
the course of preparing the ground for
the new University schools in High
street, Oxford, which are about to be
erected from the designs of Mr.. Ora
ham Jackson, M. A. In proceeding
with the excavations there has been
laid bare the site of what is considered
by some an undoubted British village
or settlement, dating back, perhaps, for
more than two thousand years. The
site chosen for the erection of the
schools, and on which the discovery
has been made, was occupied, as is
well known, by the Angel Hotel, and
lies between High street on the north,
Merton street on the south, University
college on the west, and King street on
the east, and embraces an area of about
two acres, nearly the whole of which,
or, at all events, all that has been al
ready cleared, abounds in evidence
that on this spot originally existed a
British settlement. The excavations
have now been made to depth of
about fifteen feet, and the earth having
been cleared away has left standing
number of mounds of gravel, or at
least SO they appear to the uninitiated,
but on closer examination these
mounds resolve themselves in
to the walls which divided the
pits in which our progenitors dwelt. In
some cases the wall is not more than
six inches thick, while in others again
the division is of greater thickness, but
all the spaces are of the same shape
namely, CT, cular, although, Of course,
they differ in size. One very perfect
specimen, situated on the west side, is
of a remarkable character. 1t is much
larger than the others, and being on
the extreme edge of the site, only one
half has been exposed. The appear
ance presented, therefore, is that of q
semi circular excavation in the gravel
the base of the semi-circle being form
ed by the earth and foundations of the
adjoining building. This large pit h IS
adjoining it a much smaller one, which
probably served as the entrance, and at
the point of junction between the two
there is bench or narrow platform.
The opinion has been expressed thst
these excavations are merely old gravel
pits, but against this supposition must
be adduced the facts that they cover
large extent of ground, that they are
all at about six feet below the surface,
that each one of the caves or pits, al
though circular IN shape, has a level
bottom, that the wallis in some cases
are not more than six inches in thick
ness, that the gravel On the top of the
walls bears undoubted traces of having
been turned up from lower level, and
that in two of the pits have been found
concrete floors these being the only
two That have been at present carefully
examined), of what composed is not at
present known, but of such tenacity
that it was possible to remove the half
of one of them without fracture.
At the bottom of another of
these primitive dwellings were
found some pieces of decay.
ed wood, which may or may not
have been portions Of the original roof.
The remains have at present most
remarkable appearance, especially
when viewed from height, as then the
circular form of each is more appa-
rent, and the regularity Of construction,
and all being upon the same level af-
fords conclusive evidence to some anti
quarians that here has been found in
controvertible evidence that Oxford can
carry her antiquity back to a far earlier
date than the classic days when King
Alfred founded University College. In
removing the rubbish and earth several
objects of great interest have been
found, including portion of a Runic
cross, a Saxon knife and arrowhead,
&c, and also very large number of
bones, but these possess no particular
interest, as they are principally of do
nestle animals in general use. The
discovery has caused considerable in
terest i'll university circles, Profs. Rol-
eston, Westwood, Prestwich, and others
having examined the spot, but of
curse there is at present conflict of
| PHI in as to the real nature of the dis.
overy which has been made by the
Jerk of the works, whose antiquarian
nowledge is considerable, and to whom
reat credit is due for the careful man
er in which he has preserved every
osslble evidence that can lead tos
roper determination of the question.
Sunday in Rome.
A letter from Rome to the New
ork Evening Post says: "The Roman
Committee, in order to raise money
Or the Eastern Christians, gave two
unday festivals at the Palatine which
rere attended by several thousands of
ersons. Beginning at the house of
iberlus, the colossal ruins were illu-
linated successfully by Bengal lights
list as the sun sank behind the Janicu-
I'M, on the opposite side of the city.
reducing most fantastic and beauti-
ii effect. On these bright autumn
undays, large landaus drawn by two
orses may be seen, some filled with
omen and others with men. The