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CHARCOAL BURNERS IN EPPING FOREST.
or other dwellers in the forest, during the progress of historical
times. I do not know that one could expect to find any observable
difference between hut-circles of different ages. I do not see how
their age can be determined except by the spade—and, perhaps,
not always then. But at least I think it would be quite worth
while to investigate some of these circles in Epping Forest, in
order to see if any light would thus be thrown upon their origin.
There are also some larger circles upon the rather steep hill-
slopes beneath Loughton Camp, and probably others of the same
kind elsewhere in the forest as well. These are of an essentially
different character from the hut-circles. They consist of
levelled platforms, circular in shape and about thirty feet in
diameter, cut away into the hill on the one side, and propor-
tionally made up on the other side, according to the natural
slope of the ground, The soil of these platforms is largely
composed of charcoal, and there can be little doubt that they
are the sites of charcoal fires. Perhaps one may find in them
the origin of the term "pit-coal." Some of them probably go
back to a considerable antiquity.
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
Pl. viii., Fig. 3. The Wood Sledge. The arrival of a load of cord-wood on
one of the Epping Forest wood-sledges. These sledges are a survival from
primitive times, retained because the sledge is better than a wheeled cart for
traction over a soft surface, where there are no made roads.
Pl. viii., Fig. 4. The Charcoal Fire. The smoke from the charcoal fire is seen
rising from within the brushwood screen just behind where the men are
Standing. The cords of wood ready for burning are seen in the foreground.
Pl. viii., Fig. 5. "Keeling the Fire." This photograph shows steam (not
smoke) rising from the pile, after the charcoal has been sufficiently burnt, and
when the pails of water are thrown in to "keel" (i.e., to cool) the fire.
Pl. viii., Fig. 6. "Drawing the Coal." This photograph shows Mr. Cook
filling the sacks for the market with "the coal," by means of the collier's rib
shovel, which allows the "charm" and the "dust" to pass through. In the
background will be seen the hut, with a temporary covering of tarpaulin (see
description in the text).
Pl. ix., Fig. 7. The Charcoal Burner's Hut at Cuckoo Pits, Epping Forest.
Mr. Cook, the last of the old school of charcoal burners in Epping Forest, is on
the right, holding the collier's rib shovel. Mr. Bowtle, with the ordinary shovel,
is on the left. The method by which the overlapping sods are placed to form
the roof, with the grass sides turned inwards, is clearly shown.
Pl. ix., Fig. 8. The Framework of the Hut. This photograph was taken
after the hut had fallen into decay. It shows the method of building the frame-
work, and also the way in which the sods forming the roof slide down and
accumulate in a ring round the base.