Journal of Proceedings. xxvii
tangular, and at one period he thought that some data might be gained
as to the origin of a Camp from an inspection of a tracing of its out-
lines. Further experience had dissipated that idea, and without actual
exploration it was impossible to decide on the date of the formation of
any of these remains. There are certain Camps which from their out-
line may be pronounced Roman, and others which may with safety be
set down as Norman ; but as the general principles of defence have
always been the same, it is not safe in the absence of relics to judge
from the external appearance of Camps like these, which have no
special peculiarities.
The result of their day's work was therefore mainly negative ; but
the course to be taken in order to settle the question was very clear.
They must cut sections through the Ramparts, so as to reach the
original basement soil on which the Camps were raised. In his
experience he had never known an instance in which this plan had
been followed where something had not turned up sufficient to settle
the date of the Camp. When you come to the surface line, whatever
you find upon that (fragments of pottery, and such things as a knife,
spear-head, or a coin) must be of the date of the Camp's erection,
or earlier. He would merely make the suggestion that as the Club
had been started for the purpose, amongst others, of investigating the
Forest, it might be a good way of commencing their proceedings to
make such an examination of the Camps. He did not think it need be
a very great undertaking, and he thought they would find it satis-
factory. At any rate it was the only possible way of settling the
interesting problems raised by the existence of these Earthworks.
Mr. Distant considered that the interest which was attached to these
Camps, though a purely archaeological one, still appertained to
anthropology. For if, as Professor Huxley had remarked, "Biology-
included man and all his works," so much the more did Anthropology.
The necessity was by the scientific method of excavation to prove
whether these Earthworks were Pre-Roman, Roman, or Post-Roman.
This was the kind of work that could and should be done by local
Societies, and if undertaken by this Club would act as an example
to other provincial associations.
Mr. B. H. Cowper, in an eloquent speech, said that after mature
consideration he quite agreed with the views of General Pitt-Rivers,
and admitted that the subject was not so simple as he had at first
imagined. On the whole, assuming a foundation for the association of
Queen Boadicea's name with the locality, he inclined to the opinion
that these Camps were the work of the later British, just about the
date of St. Paul's preaching. He referred to the accounts of Tacitus
and other ancient historians which give colour to the idea that the last
struggle of the British took place in Epping Forest. He hoped the
Society would take steps to make the proposed explorations of these