THE CONGLOMERATE TRACK
25
boulder found in the district to receive special mention by the sur-
veyor, and we decided to examine it.
The boulder now lies near the bottom of the depression, half-
concealed by the fir trees. It is a sandstone conglomerate contain-
ing flint pebbles, identical in appearance with many others on the
Suffolk section, and in our view is undoubtedly one of the track
series (Plate 4).
There are unmistakable indications that the track extends
northwards beyond Grimes Graves, conglomerate boulders
having been found west of Swaffham (the Cowell Stone), at Gay-
ton, Grimstone, Ingoldisthorpe, Snettisham, and Heacham, the
last three being associated with church foundations. This section
has been only cursorily examined, but the available evidence
points to the continuation of the track to the shores of the Wash
near Hunstanton.
In summary, it is abundantly clear that we have discovered an
alignment of conglomerate blocks originally set upon strategic
sighting points such as hilltops and fords, of which the only
logical function could have been to mark out a thoroughfare. The
importance of this route is emphasised by the observation that
nowhere have we found any trace of side-branches, and we con-
clude that the choice of one kind of stone was with the deliberate
intention of indicating this one particular track. Many interesting
features have been found along the trackway. Not only does it
cling to the gravel uplands, but also it follows closely to the line of
springs flowing from their margins. Streams are always forded
where the water runs shallow over gravelly beds, and many of
these fords were in use until comparatively recent times.
An unexplained feature lies in the many moated mounds lying
along the track, of which Bacon's Mound at Gorhambury, the
Cripsey Mound on Epping Upland, and others at Magdalen
Laver, are outstanding examples. These mounds are uniform in
size and general appearance, and lie either upon or within a few
yards of the line of the track. Here and there occur other pre-
historic works, designated "Camps" upon the maps of the
Ordnance Survey, as for example at Gallowstree Common, near
Pangbourne; at Great Missenden; at St. Albans; at Cheshunt; and
at Nayland, Suffolk. It is possible that both the mounds and the
"camps" are of later date than the original track.
The evidence of place-names cannot be regarded as of import-
ance, except when considered in relation to other factors, and we
therefore record without comment two strange observations. The
first relates to the large number of names bearing a common re-
semblance to "hole" or "hale", viz.—Holly Wood and Lane near
Thatcham (where no holly is found), Holyfield, near Epping (at
one time Halliefield), Hayley Manor (once Hayle), Hales Farm,