Minor Prehistoric Remains of Britain.
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care, and the materials removed restored if possible on the
completion of the work, so as to avoid any permanent dis-
figurement. The so-called "exploration" of many ancient
structures, whose venerable antiquity should have rendered
them sacred, has often been conducted in a manner which
can only be called an act of desecration. How frequently do
we read in local histories such statements as the following :—
" On------Common there formerly stood a large mound
of earth supposed to be a tumulus, which was opened by
Mr.------in the year------, but nothing of any interest was
found, except a few fragments of pottery and some decayed
bones"! Such passages as this, which is not a verbatim
extract, but simply an ideal specimen illustrating the kind of
destruction that has been going on, lead to the supposition
that the prevailing idea in opening a tumulus is the discovery
of hidden treasure. Any other find is considered devoid of
interest, and the scientific value of the structure is for ever
lost by the scattering of its contents.
The ancient monument committees of local societies, in
addition to the preparation of catalogues and the conducting
of explorations, would have another important function to
fulfil; they might take upon themselves the duties of vigil-
ance committees, keeping a watchful eye upon the ancient
remains in their neighbourhood, and preventing as far as
possible their destruction. In the case of minor remains
which were not considered worth scheduling for State protec-
tion, opportunities would often occur for investigating with-
out incurring the expense of systematic excavations. In the
course of building or agricultural operations, old ramparts
are frequently cleared away in perfect ignorance of their
value to the archaeologist: or again, a new road has to be
made, which in its course passes through the remains of some
ancient earthwork, now almost obliterated by the hand of
of time. In such cases the vigilance committee, having pre-
viously catalogued the remains threatened, would endeavour
to come to some arrangement with the owner of the property,
and obtain permission to appoint watchers, for the purpose of
recording the nature and position of any relics that might be