Vol. 117 Archaeologia Cambrensis The Journal of the Cambrian Archaeological Association 1968

SN 83781604. The cave, first dug in 1923 and reported in 1924, was subsequently more thoroughly explored. Deposits were much disturbed, but the prehistoric finds would all fit a quite narrow horizon, MBA III (pottery, gold bead, rapier, razor, awl) and may represent actual occupation. Several inhumations, unlikely to be of this period, are attributed to sepulchral use of the cave in RB times. The Roman material falls into two phases, 1st-2nd cents and 4th cent, with a gap in occupation from c AD 180-330. Burials of about forty individuals were found, as were coins and pottery, brooches, rings and animal bone offerings; most of this material seems to have been deposited in the Antonine period. Late, 4th cent, occupation is evidenced by hearths and may have been partly responsible for the disturbance of the burials.

Much information on the legion has accumulated since the studies of over forty years ago. Movements of the legion since it arrived in Britain with the invasion force of AD 43 are traced until the last epigraphic evidence for its presence here (AD 262-6 at Milecastle 52 on Hadrian's Wall). The legion appears to have been based at Colchester before moving west against the Silures in ?49. It gained a battle honour after the Boudican rebellion, and was at Gloucester not before AD 64. Subsequently it probably replaced Leg XIV at Wroxeter. It is likely to have played a leading part in Agricola's campaigns in N England and Scotland, and was intended to occupy Inchtuthil until plans were cancelled. Chester probably remained its base for the rest of the legion's stay in Britain, although vexillations from it are attested performing duties elsewhere in Britain and on the Continent at various times, and the legion took a large share in building Hadrian's Wall. The occasion of its final departure from Britain could well be the attempt by Magnus Maximus to gain the imperial throne in 383.

Evidence for the instruction of soldiers in the important techniques of building temporary camps is commoner in Wales than in any other part of the Empire. Castell Collen provides the most impressive series, with eighteen practice camps, but seven other Welsh forts have several. Most camps are square, a few oblong; the ditches and ramparts are smaller than in forts intended for occupation. Corners and gateways obviously needed practice in construction. Difficult terrain - exposed moorland or marshy ground - seems to have been deliberately chosen on occasion, to give useful experience of bad conditions and also toughening or disciplining exercise. At Dolddinas can be seen examples of substandard work on ditches, ramparts and surveying. The known practice of timing different work teams is suggested by groups of similarly-sized camps. Many quotations from classical texts illuminate the archaeological evidence, and details of all the camps are appended. For details of practice camp, etc, at Y Pigwn (Brecknock) see Jones, G D B in Bull Board Celtic Stud, 23, 1968, 100-103.