The times., 1901-03-10
RELICS OF OLD LONDON.
Interesting Antiquities Beneath the
City7s Surface.
(From the London Morning Leader.)

lFTOm the London Morning Leader.)
1t is not often that one hears of an in
diVidual rejoicing in the general upheaVal
of London thOrOughfares (When electric
light mains are being laid. and so on,
but there are few such men ever on the
lookout for an opportunity of adding some
antiquity to their already large collec-
ton. For a few pence given to wOrkmen
who have no passion for antiquity, these
enthusiasts can often procure some spe-
cimens of archaeological interest in daily
use. perhaps, when the city was occupied
by the Romans.
About seventeen feet below the present
level of the pavement by the baStiOn (the
last now existing Of London walD, in
CrppIegate Church yard, there has re-
Gently been discovered drain or passage
varying from four feet to six feet in
height with chambers or receSses at in
terYalS of about twelve feet. 1t Is con-
structed Of seventeenth century red bricks
and built in Roman cement. The drain
follows the line of old London wall to the
extent of about 200 feet in the direction
of trippiegdte, and turns slightly TO the
south round the baStiOn. The end of the
tunnel is blocked up and broken-this
happened probably when the houses above
We're being reconstructed. The ancient
ditch on the outside of the wall was hlled
in from BiShOpSgate to MOOrgate in l63o,
and ten years later was continued to
Cripplegate. 1t was. in all probability, at
this later date-l6iS-that the drain was
made. as a means OF escape, some au-
thOrities say. for fugitiyes in the trouo-
lOuS JaCObean times.
The excavations in connection with the
extensive building operations in FlnSbury
Circus Moorgate Street. and London wall
disclose a very interesting site. The pres
ent FinSbury Circus and ElnSbury Square,
further north, are the only remaining por-
tions OF the ancient moor or fen, which
in early times extended from the base OF
the city wall northWard as far as ISl1ng-
ton This was known in later days as
Moor Field, a name now limited TO 4
single street. and formed the great play
ground of the LOndOners. FitZstephen,
who describes London in the thirteenth
for skating. and all the facilities afforded
by the Moor for this and other outdoor
sports.
His account is borne out by discoveries
made both in the present excavations ana
on many previous occasions. Among the
antiquities which have come to light are
specimens of bone skates made from the
leg bone Of the horse, with holes drilled
at either end for fastening the skates TO
the feet These are in many cases worn
quite smooth from their contact with the
ice other bones have been found which
were used as sleigh or sledge runners.
Moor Fields were also famous as the prac-
tice ground for the Finsbury archers, and
many OF the butts or shooting marks had
fanciful names. such as hearts ease, etc.
1t was here. doubtless, that the London
contingent of the celebrated English bow
men attained their excellence of aim
which rendered them so formidable in the
French wars under the Black Prince. ana
later at AginCOurt with King Henry V
The bows and arrows were of too fragile
nature to survive through the centur-
les but a fine laucehead of bronze Is
included among the recent discoveries on
this site.