Evening star., 1901-02-27

Interesting Antiquities Beneath the
Surface of Busy ThOrOughfares.
From the London Leader.
1t is not often that one hears of an indi-
vidual rejoicing in the general upheaval Of
London thoroughfares (when electric light
mains are being laid, and SO on). but there
are a few such men ever on the lookout for
an opportunity of adding some antiquity"
to their already large collection. For few
pence given to workmen who have no pas
sion for antiquity these enthusiasts can
often procure some specimen OF archaeo-
logical 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 Grip
plegate Church yard, there has recently
been discovered drain or passage varying
from four feet to six feet in height, with
chambers recesses at intervals OF about
twelve feet. 1t Is constructed OF seven
teenth century red bricks, and built In Ro-
man cement. The drain follows the line of
old London wall to the extent of about 200
feet In the direction Of Cripplegate, and
turns slightly to the south round the bas-
tion. The end of the tunnel Is blocked up
and broken-this happened probably when
the houses above were being reconstructed
The ancient ditch on the outside of the wall
was filled in from Bishopsgate to Moorgate
in 1888, and ten years later was continued
to Cripplegate. 1t was in all probability at
this later date, 164S, that the drain was
made-as a means of escape, some authori-
ties say, for fugitites in the troublous
Jacobean times.
The excavations in connection with the
extensive building operations in Finsbury
circus, Mooregate street, and London wall
disclose very interesting site. The pres
ent Finsbury circus and Ftnsbury 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 Isington.
This was known in later days as Moor
Field. name now limited to single street.
and formed the great playground of the
Londoners. FitZstephen, who describes Lon
don in the thirteenth century. speaks of
the citizens fondneSs 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 and
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 practice
ground for the Finsbury archers. and many
of the butts OF shooting marks had fanciful
names. such as hearts ease. etc. 1t was
here. doubtless, that the London contingent
Of the celebrated English bowmen attained
their excellence of aim which rendered
them so formidable In the French wars un-
der the eksPrince, and later at Agin-
court with King Henry V. The bows and
arrows were of too osfragile a nature to sur
vive through the certuries. but fine lance
head Of bronze Is included among the re-
cent discoveries on this site,