South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-08-06
RELICS OF ROMAN OCCUPATION
Interesting Finds I'm the Excavations
Mt Siichester, tn England.

Interesting Finds I'm the Excavations
mt siichester, In England.
The result OF last summers labors IN
the excavation OF the Roman city OF
Silchester-about ten miles to the
southwest of Reading-may be seen In
the rooms OF the Society of Antiquari-
ans, under whose auspices the work IS
carried on. The committee has been
systematically engaged with this l-bor
for six successive seasons, none of
which has been more fruitful than the
last as regards both the structural re-
storation OF the city and individual
finds.
About half the area-100 acres-with-
In the walis-has been thoroughly ex-
plored, but II is anticipated that sew
eral more years work will be required
before the Romano-British city can be
regarded as completely disclosed. An
expenditure OF at least $4,000 year ID
needed for the work, which In some re-
spects Is OF unequaled archaeological
and historic interest, as nowhere else
rave so many houses, temples and pub
lie buildings OF the period been diLcov-
cred, and no other place has yielded a
forum or Christian church, and with
some Justice the committee claims that
the exploration OF Silchester Is the be-
ginning of the history OF the civil oc-
cupation of Britain blythe Romans.
The excavations last year were be-
gun on May Z, and continued with no
break, except for harvest, until the
middle of October. An area OF about
three and one-half acres was examined.
on which were two insulae CXIII. and
XIV, of which insula NH. was clear
~ shown to have been occupied by the
dyers, who. according to previous dis
coveries, worked In this portion of the
city.
The real interest was conferred in
insula XIV, which was almost en-
tirely covered by the foundations of
two large and important houses. The
western house OF the two was of the
courtyard type, but different from
others of the kind in having the fourth
side, which is usually open or nearly
closed by wall, covered by range
of large chambers with mosaic floors.
some of the mosaics being of large size
and good workma nship and la such
good condition that three out of four
were taken up and properly mounted
for future exhibition at the Reading
museum
The eastern house also disclosed re-
markable examples OF beautiful mosaic
pavements and rich panels for the
walls
Another pavement was interesting
both on account of the coarse work.
manship, indicating n late date. and
also for the pattern, which marked the
position OF the table and touches in the
triclnium, of which II formed the floor.
The most remarkable feature, however,
In this house was the small chapel con
tanning the base OF a detached shrine
for the household gods, n feature not
hitherto found at Sllchester.
One of the most interesting discov-
cries was that of n block Of wood
through which passed two large and
perfect lead pipes, while the chase for
another was cut In front This ar
rangement. IL has now been ascertain
ed, represented when complete the
force pump. described by Vitruvius as
the ''machina ctesibica." This Is be-
aAN'Nh ~ W TIC hISl tAdnlple OF 40
man hydraulic machinery discovered in
Britain.
The most beautiful Of the finds is n
small pillar-molded bowl OF deep sap
phire blue streaked with white and
yellow spots, which fortunately has
beeen perfectly restored. No other
complete example Of this kind OF i'm
ported glass has hitherto been found in
this country. Times.