The author of this attractive book claims to have made a discovery with regard to pre-historic trackways, tumuli, and camps, and whether he has proved his point or not, he has certainly provided opportunity for discussion. The subject matter of the book was originally submitted to the Woolthorpe Naturalists’ Society in the form of a lecture, but we are unable to speak as to the nature of its reception. Mr. Alfred Watson’s challenge is so bold and fearless that it cannot be passed by in silence, and whether we have expert knowledge or whether we have only a passing acquaintance with this particular branch of archœology, it is not improbable that Mr. Watkins’ enthusiasm will stimulate interest and promote research.
The writer starts with the contention that orderly road planning was not introduced by the Romans. Long before their arrival a primitive people, with few or no enclosures, and wanting a few necessities such as salt, flint flakes, and later on metals, found that the shortest way to any distant part was a straight line. The human way of attaining an straight line is by sighting, and accordingly all these early trackways were straight, and laid out in much the same way that a marksman gets the back and fore sights of his rifle in line with the target.
If the reader accepts this statement as regards ancient trackways, then Mr. Watkins may wear the laurel wreath of the discoverer, for up till now we have not credited pre-historic man with this capacity to survey and plan and execute, if not with the precision and accuracy of a man furnished with modern instruments and a mind stored with mathematical knowledge, yet according to Mr. Watkins neolithic man had his sighting points, which “now bear the name of tump, tumulus, mound, twt, castle, bury,” etc. Another form of earth sighting was in the form of a notch or cutting in a bank or mountain ridge which had to be crossed by sighting line. Then there were water sighting points evolved from the excavations made for the tumps or moats. In this way a “ring of reflection” could be obtained from higher ground.
Sighting lines were (in earliest examples) up to 50 or 60 miles in length, later on rather shorter, down to a few miles. Sighting points were used for commerce and for assemblies of the people. When troublesome times came and stronger defences were wanted, groups of two or three sighting tumps which came near together (especially on the top of a hill) often had defensive earthworks added to make a fortified camp. All forms of sighting points became objects of interest, superstition, and veneration, and such were utilized on the introduction of Christianity. What more natural, therefore, than that practically all ancient churches should be on sighting points—tumps or stones—usually at a cross of tracks; and that in some cases the churchyard cross is on the exact spot of the ancient sighting or marking stone. The sighting line was called the ley or lay. Numbers of farms and places on sighting lines bear this first name, viz., Ley Farms, Weobley, Wyaston Leys, Tumpey Ley, etc.
For the most part Mr. Watkins has developed his claim to have made an important discovery from observations dealing with trackways in Herefordshire and Wales. If he is right, then we in Gloucestershire have a rich field for exploration, but as other theories have been propounded in connection with tumuli, notably the one which a member of the Cotteswold Naturalists’ Club linked up with sun worship, but which was received either with caution or with frank disbelief, there will be a disposition in the present instance to exhibit reserve when studying the line of argument put forward in this book.
It is handsomely illustrated with photographic pictures, and Mr. Watkins supplies instructive hints to the prospective ley hunter. He says that ley hunting gives a new zest to field rambles, and the knowledge of the straight ley provides new eyes to an eager observer. To this end the writer with mental vision sees the Scout Master of the future embarking upon this pleasant operation, but it is to be hoped that in seeking to draw out the juvenile mind due regard will be paid to the demands of scientific exactitude.
Source info: MS note by AW “Strand Journal June 16”.