east-lothian-1924/05-186

Transcription

PRESTONKIRK.] -- INVENTORY OF MONUMENTS IN EAST LOTHIAN. -- [PRESTONKIRK.

illustrated by Roach Smith in his " Illus-
trations of Roman London," and a portion of
another found at Wroxeter in 1913, were
obviously similar. A Roman stylus which came
from the earliest level is another notable
Roman relic. Mention must be made of two
inscribed fragments ; one a piece of a vase-
shaped Roman vessel, on the inner or concave
surface of which has been scratched by the
sharp point of a knife in Roman capitals the
three letters " I.R.I." followed by a dash. The
other inscribed object is a fragment of stone,
on which also in Roman capitals occur the
letters " A.B.C." and (owing to fracture) part
only of the letter " D." Roman pottery
throughout is fairly abundant, and specimens
belonging to the 3rd and 4th century and thus
subsequent to the withdrawal of the Romans
from Caledonia have come to light. There
have been found also a considerable number
of pieces of Roman glass vessels, likewise of
late date. The most remarkable find, however,
occurred in the year 1919, when, on lifting the
floor of the second level, there was brought to
light a hoard of Roman silver plate (figs. 144-
149). So close was the top of the cache to that
floor level that it was obvious that the deposit
must have been made at a later date, when the
highest level was under occupation. The cache
occupied a cavity some 2 feet deep by 2 feet
in diameter and contained numerous fragments
of plate much defaced and evidently in course
of being reduced to bullion at the time they
were hidden. With it were found four coins,
one of Valens, one of Valentinian II. and two of
Honorius, indicating that the date of the deposit
was probably in the reign of the latter at the
commencement of the 5th century. Among the
plate were pieces of Christian character,
obviously for church use. Others bore Pagan
symbols, while the bulk was probably remains
of dinner services for ordinary secular use.
The style and general character indicated that
the hoard had come from the Continent,
probably looted from Gaul by Saxons or even
by Celtic pirates. A detailed and fully
illustrated account of the find, under the title
of " The Treasure of Traprain," has been
published by the Society of Antiquaries of
Scotland.

The results of the excavations, which are still
being carried on, clearly show that for perhaps

99

a period of 300 years Traprain Law has been
a Celtic township in more or less regular
occupation ; that from the time of the coming
of the Romans in the end of the 1st century
till subsequent to their departure from Had-
rian's (English) wall, there had been established
regular active trade relations with the native
population, who had also instituted a metallic
[marginal note]
Why has no account
of the coins been
given?
currency with the Roman coinage. There is
no direct evidence to show what brought the
occupation of the hill to a close.
See Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. vols. xlix., l, lii,
(p. 234), liv, lv, lvi.
xi. N.W. 1914-23.

STANDING STONES.

149. Standing Stones, " The Loth Stone,"
Cairndinnes Farm.-Some 400 yards north
of the standing stone (No. 99) and some 300
yards south-south-west of the foot of Trap-
rain Law, near the corner of a field, is a
fine four-sided pillar, pointed near the top
and slightly inclined to the north-west. It
measures 8 feet in height, 1 foot 10 inches
across the north-western face, 1 foot 7 inches
across the south-western face, 2 feet 6 inches
across the south-eastern face, and 1 foot 3
inches across the north-eastern face.
It is known as the " Loth Stone," as
according to tradition Loth,1 who was a king
in this district, and whose name is said to be
seen in the word " Lothian," was buried here.
To the east of the stone the O.S. map notes
a stone cist found in 1861.

1 Cf. Introd. p. xviii (Note)

xi. N.W. 28 May 1913.

150. Standing Stone, Pencraig Hill.-Some
55 yards north of the Haddington and East
Linton road, on Pencraig Hill, about 3/4 mile
west of East Linton is a fine standing stone
roughly triangular in section and pointed at
the top. It measures 10 feet in height and
9 feet 3 inches in girth at the base.

vi. S.W. 4 June 1913.

MISCELLANEOUS.

151. East Linton Bridge.-The bridge (fig.
90) at the southern end of the little town of