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Article ON THE VITRIFIED FORTS IN NORTH BRITAIN. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Vitrified Forts In North Britain.
ployed in the construction of the vitrified forts have unquestionably been acted upon Kelp will produce this effect ; and as it was abundant in the highlands , there can be little doubt but that the use of this article in the fusion of the stones forms a satisfactory solution ofthe long-pending question , and explains the secret ofthe construction ofthe vitrified forts . In communicating these particulars to the British Archaeological
Association , this opinion was generally adopted . Mr . SAULL explained the way in which the fusion was probably effected ; and Mr . J . S . BUCKINGHAM ( the oriental traveller ) , informed me , that the ancient buildings at Babylon , he had examined , appeared analagous to the vitrified forts which I had described , and that in particular in tbe Birs Nimrod , or Temple of Belus ( generally known as the Tower of Babel ) , he had noticed a mass of brick-masonryone hundred and seventy feet
, high , the exterior and interior surfaces of which had been vitrified in a manner evidently similar to that adopted in the construction of the Caledonian forts . Various theories it appeared had been advanced to account for this vitrification ; some thinking that the lightnings which destroyed the Tower of Babel had produced the effect , whilst others sought a cause in the custom of the Persian fire-worshippers of
maintaining a perpetual fire in the temple after its partial demolition ; but the explanation given as to the mode in which the Caledonian forts were vitrified , Mr . Buckingham considered far more rational ; and in illustration of the manner of burning walls in the most remote periods , Mr . B . referred to the volume of the Sacred Law as throwing light upon the subject , the expression in the eleventh chapter of Genesis , " Let us make brick and burn them thoroughly , " being still more applicable in the oriinal Hebrew textwhich miht be translated" Let us make
g , g , brick , and burn them to a burning , " alluding unquestionably to something more than the application of ordinary heat , whilst the slime which was used for mortar , alluded to the cementing matter produced during the process of calcination . From what has been stated it appears , therefore , that we must travel "to the East" to discover the origin of the mode of construction adopted bthe builders of the vitrified forts in North Britainthough
y , in what manner , or through what particular channels this knowledge travelled so far westward , is a question which we cannot so readily determine . It is however an important fact , in addition to many previously established , showing the numerous analogies in architecture and religion existing between the Chaldeans and Persians , and the primitive inhabitants of the British Isles .
I have alluded to some remains in France . Much interest has been recently excited amongst the antiquarians of that country , by the discovery of some remains in Brittany , in which the agency of fire had evidently been adopted for the purpose of running together or cementing portions of the work . One of these is situated near the hamlet of Peran , south of St . Brieux . It is known in the neighbourhood b y the name of burnt stones ( pierres brulees ) , and no historical notice of it exists . M . ANATOLE BARTHELEMYwho has recently examined
itcommuni-, , cated the particulars to the British Archseological Association , and it appears from his description , that the principal peculiarity in its construction , consists of a wall which has evidently undergone combustion . Mons . B . states , — " The second or lower parapet , is entirely of earth . Tho u ; per parapet is composed of a wall which supports a talus of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Vitrified Forts In North Britain.
ployed in the construction of the vitrified forts have unquestionably been acted upon Kelp will produce this effect ; and as it was abundant in the highlands , there can be little doubt but that the use of this article in the fusion of the stones forms a satisfactory solution ofthe long-pending question , and explains the secret ofthe construction ofthe vitrified forts . In communicating these particulars to the British Archaeological
Association , this opinion was generally adopted . Mr . SAULL explained the way in which the fusion was probably effected ; and Mr . J . S . BUCKINGHAM ( the oriental traveller ) , informed me , that the ancient buildings at Babylon , he had examined , appeared analagous to the vitrified forts which I had described , and that in particular in tbe Birs Nimrod , or Temple of Belus ( generally known as the Tower of Babel ) , he had noticed a mass of brick-masonryone hundred and seventy feet
, high , the exterior and interior surfaces of which had been vitrified in a manner evidently similar to that adopted in the construction of the Caledonian forts . Various theories it appeared had been advanced to account for this vitrification ; some thinking that the lightnings which destroyed the Tower of Babel had produced the effect , whilst others sought a cause in the custom of the Persian fire-worshippers of
maintaining a perpetual fire in the temple after its partial demolition ; but the explanation given as to the mode in which the Caledonian forts were vitrified , Mr . Buckingham considered far more rational ; and in illustration of the manner of burning walls in the most remote periods , Mr . B . referred to the volume of the Sacred Law as throwing light upon the subject , the expression in the eleventh chapter of Genesis , " Let us make brick and burn them thoroughly , " being still more applicable in the oriinal Hebrew textwhich miht be translated" Let us make
g , g , brick , and burn them to a burning , " alluding unquestionably to something more than the application of ordinary heat , whilst the slime which was used for mortar , alluded to the cementing matter produced during the process of calcination . From what has been stated it appears , therefore , that we must travel "to the East" to discover the origin of the mode of construction adopted bthe builders of the vitrified forts in North Britainthough
y , in what manner , or through what particular channels this knowledge travelled so far westward , is a question which we cannot so readily determine . It is however an important fact , in addition to many previously established , showing the numerous analogies in architecture and religion existing between the Chaldeans and Persians , and the primitive inhabitants of the British Isles .
I have alluded to some remains in France . Much interest has been recently excited amongst the antiquarians of that country , by the discovery of some remains in Brittany , in which the agency of fire had evidently been adopted for the purpose of running together or cementing portions of the work . One of these is situated near the hamlet of Peran , south of St . Brieux . It is known in the neighbourhood b y the name of burnt stones ( pierres brulees ) , and no historical notice of it exists . M . ANATOLE BARTHELEMYwho has recently examined
itcommuni-, , cated the particulars to the British Archseological Association , and it appears from his description , that the principal peculiarity in its construction , consists of a wall which has evidently undergone combustion . Mons . B . states , — " The second or lower parapet , is entirely of earth . Tho u ; per parapet is composed of a wall which supports a talus of