Human Remains.
1. PARTS of three human skeletons found in the hypocaust B. Two of the
skulls are almost entire, and one is broken into fragments. The latter
is remarkable for its great thickness. One of the two former from its
form, is most probably the head of a female, and the bones of the pelvis
of one skeleton are also characteristic of the female sex. One jaw-bone
must have belonged to a very old person, as not only the teeth but even
the sockets are gone. One hundred and thirty-two coins were found in the
hypocaust with these skeletons. See page 41.
2. Five human heads, and other parts of human skeletons, were first dug
up in the orchard, near the river. Of these, _four_ were singularly
deformed,—the one eye being in advance of the other and the face oblique.
Ten other skulls have since been found in the same place, and have been
arranged in the Museum. Of the ten above-mentioned _three_ are deformed
like the others, four are so broken and defective that their form cannot
be ascertained, three are not deformed. One of the latter is a very
large skull, well formed, but with very strong projecting cheek (_malar_)
bones, and a projecting occiput.
3. The principal bones of a skeleton (female?) belonging to one of the
skulls, stretched on a board (as well as could be done _on the spot_)
just as it lay in the ground.
The circumstances under which these skeletons were found are full of
interest. The greater part of them (at least twenty have been found, but
not all in a state to be taken up) were evidently put into the ground
with a certain degree of attention, that is, _buried_. They were not
thrown heedlessly into a pit, but carefully deposited at full length, and
generally near together, the legs and arms for the most part extended,
or, as in the case above described, one arm lying across the body. In
general, nothing particular has been found near them, but only the usual
contents of the soil, such as stones, roots, and fragments of pottery.
In one instance an iron ring, in another, some nails were met with, and
in a third a single coin of Claudius Gothicus. But all these might have
occurred accidentally in the neighbourhood of the bodies, in an old Roman
site, and not have been buried with them. No vestiges of wood derived
from coffins, or of apparel, were discovered. There were no traces of
weapons or articles of domestic use, which were generally buried by the
Romans with their friends, and the place where these remains were found
is within the walls, and could not, therefore, be a Roman cemetery.
4. In more than one instance, bones of very young children have been
found; but in one instance, alluded to at page 68, almost an entire
skeleton of a child was found, which has been preserved, and is in the
Museum. This was found outside the semicircular end of the great
hypocaust, where there must have been a small court. From the smallness
of the bones of the skeleton, and from the circumstance of the teeth
being still contained within the jaw-bone, it may be inferred that this
was a very young infant—perhaps still in arms.
5. A thigh bone has been found, which, having been fractured, has become
united during life.
The most interesting circumstance connected with the human remains found
at Wroxeter, is the large relative proportion of deformed skulls. Of the
nineteen crania found in the orchard and since deposited in the Museum,
eleven are more or less crooked. It has been supposed, and indeed the
opinion is still entertained by some antiquarians, that this deformity
was _congenital_ and not _posthumous_, that is to say, that the persons
to whom these skulls belonged lived and died with deformed heads. And
this was my own view before I had learned that bones are capable of being
bent by pressure in the ground. There can be little doubt that the
deformity has been produced by posthumous pressure, aided by moisture and
the solvent action of certain acids that always exist in vegetable mould.
{99a} Other instances of a like effect have been described by Dr.
Sherman, {99b} and, in America, by the Rev. D. Wilson. {99c}
H. J.
APPENDIX.
ON November the 11th, 1858, at the General Meeting of the Shropshire and
North Wales Natural History and Antiquarian Society, held at the Museum,
Shrewsbury, the President, Beriah Botfield, Esq., M.P., proposed that
excavations should be commenced at Wroxeter. He had written to the Duke
of Cleveland, and obtained his Grace’s consent to do so. He also made
the very liberal offer to give fifty guineas towards the expenses,
provided that fifty other gentlemen could be found willing to subscribe
one guinea each. A Committee was formed, consisting of the following
noblemen and gentlemen to carry on the work:—
The Right Hon. the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle
Beriah Botfield, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., Decker Hill
R. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P., Walford Manor
Rev. B. H. Kennedy, D.D., Shrewsbury
Rev. E. Egremont, Wroxeter
Rev. R. W. Eyton, Ruyton, Shiffnal
Rev. H. M. Scarth, Bathwick
Samuel Ashdown, Esq., Uppington
W. H. Bayley, Esq., Shrewsbury
William F. F. Foulkes, Esq., Stanley Place, Chester
Henry Johnson, Esq., M.D., Hon. Sec., Shrewsbury
George Stanton, Esq., Shrewsbury
Albert Way, Esq., Worham Manor
Samuel Wood, Esq., Shrewsbury
Thomas Wright, Esq., F.S.A., Brompton
A Metropolitan Committee has since been thought desirable, and held its
first meeting August 3rd. It consists of the following distinguished
noblemen and gentlemen:—
The Right Hon. Earl Stanhope, President of the Royal Society of
Antiquaries
The Right Hon. Viscount Hill, Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire
The Right Hon. Lord Braybrooke
The Right Hon. Lord Talbot de Malahide
The Right Hon. Lord Lindsay
The Right Hon. Lord Newport, M.P.
The Right Hon. the Lord Chief Baron
Beriah Botfield, Esq., M.P.
The Hon. Rowland C. Hill, M.P.
R. Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P.
C. Octavius S. Morgan, Esq., M.P.
H. Danby Seymour, Esq., M.P.
W. Tite, Esq., M.P.
C. C. Babington, Esq., F.R.S., St. John’s Coll., Cambridge
The Rev. E. L. Barnwell, General Secretary of the Cambrian
Archæological Association
Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., F.R.S., V.P.S.A.
The Rev. Dr. Bosworth, F.R.S., F.S.A., Professor of Anglo-Saxon, Oxford
The Rev. Dr. J. Collingwood Bruce, F.S.A., Hon. Sec. of the Society of
Antiquaries of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Talbot Bury, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., A.I.C.E.
Benjamin Bond Cabbell, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A.
Robert Chambers, Esq., Edinburgh
Sir James Clarke, Bart., F.R.S.
James Dearden, Esq., F.S.A.
C. Wentworth Dilke, Esq.
J. Hepworth Dixon, Esq., F.S.A.
Joseph Durham, Esq., F.S.A.
The Rev. E. Egremont, Vicar of Wroxeter
F. W. Fairholt, Esq., F.S.A.
Augustus Guest, Esq., L.L.D., F.S.A.
S. Carter Hall, Esq., F.S.A.
J. O. Halliwell, Esq., F.S.A., F.R.S.
The Rev. C. H. Hartshorne
Fredk. Hindmarsh, Esq., F.R.G.S., F.G.S., Hon. Sec.
The Rev. T. Hugo, F.S.A.
Dr. Henry Johnson, Hon. Sec. of the Excavation Committee, Shrewsbury
Joseph Mayer, Esq., F.S.A., Liverpool
Sir Roderick I. Murchison, F.R.S., &c.
Frederick Ouvry, Esq., F.S.A.
The Rev. H. M. Scarth
Charles Roach Smith, Esq., F.S.A.
Vice-Admiral W. H. Smyth, F.R.S., F.S.A.
W. S. W. Vaux, Esq., F.S.A., President of the Numismatic Society
Albert Way, Esq., F.S.A.
Thomas Wright, Esq., F.S.A., Treasurer.
* * * * *
* * * * *
J. O. SANDFORD, PRINTER, SHREWSBURY.
* * * * *
PLATES.
Plate 1: The north side of the Old Wall at Wroxeter
[Picture: Plate 1. The north side of the Old Wall at Wroxeter]
Plate 2: Wroxeter Church, Shropshire (Vignette)
[Picture: Plate 2: Wroxeter Church, Shropshire (Vignette)]
Plate 3: First Roman Hypocaust Discovered at Uriconium 1859
[Picture: First Roman Hypocaust Discovered at Uriconium]
Plate 4: Roman Tile-Roof, Roman Flag-Roof, Section of Roman Hypocaust,
&c.
[Picture: Figures 1, 2, 3, 4: Roman Tile Roof; Figures 5 and 6: Roman
Flag Roof; Figure 7: Section of Roman Hypocaust]
Plate 5: Plan of Walls, discovered by the Excavations at Wroxeter, Salop,
from February 3rd to September, 1863.
[Picture: Plan of Walls, discovered by the Excavations at Wroxeter,
Salop, from February 3rd to September, 1863]
Plate 6: Column in the garden of W. H. Oatley Esq., Wroxeter
[Picture: Column in the garden of W. H. Oatley Esq., Wroxeter]
Plate 7: Ancient Stone Font in Wroxeter Church
[Picture: Plate 7: Ancient Stone Font in Wroxeter Church]
Plate 8: Capitals found at Uriconium
[Picture: Plate 8: Capitals found at Uriconium]
Plate 9: Samian, Upchurch, and Romano-Salopian Pottery
[Picture: Plate 9: Samian, Upchurch, and Romano-Salopian Pottery]
Plate 10: Rings and Combs
[Picture: Rings and Combs (actual size)]
Plate 11: Hair Pins &c.
[Picture: Hair Pins &c. (actual size)]
Plate 12: Skulls from Wroxeter
[Picture: Skulls from Wroxeter]
Plate 13: Roman Remains from Wroxeter
[Picture: Plate 13: Roman Remains from Wroxeter, in the possession of
Samuel Wood, Esq., and Mask,. in the Museum, Shrewsbury]
Plate 14: Upchurch Pottery, Adz, Spear Head, and Romano-Salopian (Red)
Ware
[Picture: Plate 14: Upchurch Pottery, Adz, Spear Head, and
Romano-Salopian (Red) Ware]
Plate 15: Carved stone fragments from Uriconium, in the Garden of Edward
Stanier, Esq., Wroxeter
[Picture: Carved stone fragments from Uriconium, in the Garden of Edward
Stanier, Esq., Wroxeter]
Plate 16: Sepulchral Stone
[Picture: Sepulchral Stone from in the Cemetery, Wroxeter]
* * * * *
ADVERTISEMENTS. {102}
J. O. SANDFORD.
* * * * *
CARTE DE VISITE ALBUMS.
* * * * *
PRESENTATION BOOKS.
* * * * *
STATIONARY.
* * * * *
North and South Wales Guides.
* * * * *
TOURISTS CASES.
* * * * *
SHREWSBURY AND WROXETER
STEREOSCOPIC SLIDES.
* * * * *
25 High-Street, Shrewsbury.
* * * * *
J. O. SANDFORD.
* * * * *
DRAWING MATERIALS,
COMPRISING
WINSOR & NEWTON’S, & ROWNEY’S
COLOURS,
IN CAKES, TUBES, AND PANS.
BRISTOL AND LONDON BOARDS.
Whatman’s Drawing Papers.
SKETCH BLOCKS & BOOKS,
OF VARIOUS SIZES.
PENCILS & BRUSHES.
CRAYON PAPERS.
* * * * *
25, High-Street, Shrewsbury.
* * * * *
WATERPROOF TWEED CLOAKS.
* * * * *
J. E. & W. PHILLIPS,
TAILORS,
AND
HABIT MAKERS,
37, HIGH STREET, SHREWSBURY,
ARE THE ORIGINAL MAKERS OF THE
WATERPROOF TWEED CLOAKS
FOR LADIES,
Which they continue to supply of the same quality
which obtained for them their European reputation.
* * * * *
GENTLEMEN’S OVER COATS
OF THE SAME MATERIAL.
* * * * *
Patterns of Material, and directions for Measurement
sent (post free) on application.
* * * * *
LION HOTEL,
SHREWSBURY.
THE Nobility, Gentry, and Public of Shrewsbury and its Vicinity, are
respectfully informed that this old-established and well-known Hotel, has
undergone considerable renovation and change in every department, and
that nothing will be spared to make it the most complete and comfortable
Hotel in the county. An entirely new tariff of charges has been arranged
(including servants’ fees) on the most reasonable charges.
_N.B.—The Lion Omnibus runs in connection with all the Trains to_
_and from the Railway Station_.
POST HORSES ALWAYS IN READINESS.
Weddings, funerals, &c. as usual.
ALL ORDERS FOR POST HORSES,
FLYS, &c.
TO BE ADDRESSED TO
AUGUSTUS LUCAS, PROPRIETOR.
* * * * *
_Just published_, _price_ 1_s._ 6_d._ _cloth_; 1_s._ _paper_,
AN HISTORICAL AND ILLUSTRATED
Handbook
FOR
THE TOWN OF SHREWSBURY:
BEING
A GENERAL GUIDE TO ITS CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, WALKS,
AND OTHER REMARKABLE OBJECTS; TO WHICH IS ADDED,
EXCURSIONS IN THE VICINITY,
BY
HENRY PIDGEON, ESQ.,
_Treasurer of the Corporation of Shrewsbury_, _Author of_ “_Memorials of_
_Shrewsbury_,” _&c._ _&c._
SHREWSBURY: J. O. SANDFORD, HIGH STREET.
* * * * *
LONDON JEWELLERY
ESTABLISHMENT,
38, HIGH-STREET, SHREWSBURY.
* * * * *
J. KENT,
(SUCCESSOR TO J. T. NIGHTINGALE,)
PROPRIETOR.
* * * * *
KENT’S LONDON AND GENEVA WATCHES,
ENGLISH AND FOREIGN
CLOCKS AND TIMEPIECES,
Manufactured to order, expressly for his own sale, by the most celebrated
makers, are warranted to keep accurate time, _and every attention given
to them for the first two years free of charge_, unless broken or injured
by accident.
WEDDING AND GUARD RINGS,
Of 12, 15, 18, & 22 Carat Gold, _Hall-marked_.
GUARD AND ALBERT CHAINS
of the newest London design, and guaranteed as to quality and
workmanship.
HAIR JEWELLERY,
In Brooches, Bracelets, Shawl-pins, Earrings, Lockets, Necklets, Guard or
Albert Chains, Rings, Studs, Sleeve-links, Scarf-pins, Charms, &c., of
the most novel and artistic designs, made to order, _from the hair
supplied by the parties_, on the shortest possible notice.
In order to meet the requirement of his increasing connection, J. K.
respectfully announces that, having _now on the premises_ experienced
first-class London Workmen, he can execute
_Repairs in Jewellery_, _Watches_, _Clocks_, _Spectacles_,
_Plated Goods_, _Cutlery_, _&c._
IN A FEW HOURS.
J. KENT,
LATE J. T. NIGHTINGALE,
MOURNING JEWELLER, OPTICIAN, &c.
38, HIGH STREET, SHREWSBURY.
* * * * *
Shrewsbury & Wroxeter Illustrated.
_A Series of Views for the Stereoscope_, _by_ F. BEDFORD. 1s. _each_.
1. SHREWSBURY, Ireland’s Mansion.
2. SHREWSBURY, the Market House.
3. SHREWSBURY, the Market Square.
4. SHREWSBURY, Statue of Clive, in the Market Place.
5. SHREWSBURY, Elizabethan Houses, in the Market Place.
6. SHREWSBURY, the Cross Keys Tavern, High Street.
7. SHREWSBURY, Old House, Princess Street, Market Place.
8. SHREWSBURY, Shearman’s Hall, and Old Post Office Inn.
9. SHREWSBURY, Old Houses, in the Wyle Cop.
10. SHREWSBURY, Old Timber Houses, in the Abbey Foregate.
11. SHREWSBURY, Gate Way to Council House, St. Nicholas’ Chapel.
12. SHREWSBURY, in the Court Yard to the Council House.
13. SHREWSBURY, the Royal Grammar School.
14. SHREWSBURY, the Castle, Garden Front.
15. SHREWSBURY, the Castle, from the Entrance Gateway.
16. SHREWSBURY, the last remaining Tower of the Old Walls.
17. SHREWSBURY, English Bridge.
18. SHREWSBURY, St. Giles’s Church.
19. SHREWSBURY, Old Church of St. Giles.
20. SHREWSBURY, the Abbey, from the South East.
21. SHREWSBURY, the Abbey, West Front.
22. SHREWSBURY, Old St. Chad’s Church.
23. SHREWSBURY, St. Mary’s Church, view from South West.
24. SHREWSBURY, St. Mary’s Church, South Porch.
25. SHREWSBURY, St. Mary’s Church, from the Infirmary.
26. SHREWSBURY, St. Julian’s Church, and Spire of St. Alkmond.
27. SHREWSBURY, St. Chad’s Church.
28. SHREWSBURY, the Portal to the Shoemaker’s Arbour, Kingsland.
29. SHREWSBURY, Lord Hill’s Column.
30. SHREWSBURY, the Stone Pulpit.
31. SHREWSBURY, St. Mary’s Watergate.
32. SHREWSBURY, the Ferry and House of Industry.
33. SHREWSBURY, Avenue in the Quarry.
34. SHREWSBURY, the Dingle in the Quarry.
35. SHREWSBURY, the Whitehall.
36. WROXETER, remains of Floor in the Baths.
37. WROXETER, supposed Enameller’s Shop.
38. WROXETER, Public Baths, looking West.
39. WROXETER, the Old Wall, and Hypocaust.
40. WROXETER, Public Baths, from the S.W.
41. WROXETER, the principal Hypocaust.
42. WROXETER, Public Baths, looking East.
43. WROXETER, the Excavations, seen from W.N.W.
_Published by CATHERALL & PRICHARD_, _Eastgate-row_,
_Chester_, _and sold by all dealers in slides_.
* * * * *
VINCENT CRUMP,
BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT
Bride, Citron, [Picture: Royal coat Simmels in
and of Arms] the
Desert Cakes. Season.
CONFECTIONER
To Her Majesty the Queen,
WYLE COP AND PRIDE HILL,
SHREWSBURY.
* * * * *
ROYAL SHREWSBURY CAKES.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES.
{99a} See Abstract of Proceedings of Royal Society, June, 1862.
{99b} Crania Britannia.
{99c} Pre-Historic Man, vol. ii. p. 306, &c. &c.
{102} In this transcription the advertisements have been moved to the
end of the book. In the original the first two (J. O. Sandford) come
before the frontispiece. The rest then follow after the Appendix and
come before the Plates with the exception of the last two (Shrewsbury and
Wroxeter Illustrated; Vincent Crump) which came after the plates.—DP.