The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-09-25
BONES OF ROMANS
Remains Of Twentieth Legion UncOv.
cred In England
Standard.

London Standard.
The extension of the infirmary at
Chester has led to the discovery OF the
graveyard used by the Twentieth le-
zion of the Romans during their &C.
cupation of that city.
The Chester intirmary occupies i
site which is locally referred to DIS the
plague held" The site seems to have
acquired it's. unsavory name o the
fact that casual discoveries OF hui
man remains in the infirmary field IN
years gone by had led to the suppo-
sition that they were the victims OF
the great plague. The recent un-
earthlng Of remains in larger num-
bers on the site Of the extension OF
inirmary led to an investigation
by Prof. Robert Newstead, who now
reports that the evidence proves II
clusively that the infirmary field was
not used as a burying ground dur-
ing the outbreak of the plague, n
that all the burials which have been
so far unearthed belong to the TO-
man period.
|. Four distinct types of graves have
been uncovered. One is a tomb FORM
ed of local sandstone, evidently repre-
senting a burial of some Importance,
as the walls of the tomb are covered
in plaster, and the dome OF the struc-
ture originally stood out in marKed
contrast to the surrounding surface
OF the land, forming a distinct tumu.
lus. Some Of the graves were formed
by placing Roman roofing tiles bear
ing the stamp of the Twentieth legion
the floor and also at the SIDES,
the legionary stamps always facing
inwards. Another type of burial was
formed by placing roughly heWn
sandstone so that a V-shaped trough
was formed for the reception or the
body. A fourth type Of grave con-
sists OF a simple trench OF not more
than two feet from the original lane
surface. >.
The Roman origin of the graves is
borne out by the fact that bronze
coins of the Emperors Antonlus Plus
and Commodus have been found In
them. Such coins were placed usually
in the mouth of the deceased, n are
generally referred to as "Charons
massage fare" to expedite the passage
of the souls across the Styx, as it was
believed that the person who had not
received the usual rites OF burial, anu
in whose mouth no fee for the ferry
man of the. Styxian lake had been
placed, would wander hopelessly on
its banks, while q decent interment
and a small coin would obviate any
disagreeabler inquiries that Charon
might else be inclined to make.
Another interesting discovery III
one of the graves is a terra-cotta
lamp, which was also n OF the usual
offerings to the dead, and served as
an emblem of immortality. This was
probably filled with oil and placed
n the grave lighted. A number OF
large nails; probably symbolican OF
time or money, as well as remains OF
Roman sandals, have been found IN
many of the graves. The last Roman
grave lust unearthed in the process
1T excavation contained three urns'
in one Of which was a metal mirror.
In removing the clay which form
ad the floor of one of the graves there
was found a. stone implement belong
ing to the Neolithic period. Prof.
Newstead regards this discovery as
exceedingly interesting, as affordlng
further evidence that Chester was III
all probability prior to the Roman &C.
cupation inhabitated by early mar.