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0311 On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1
On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1 / Page 311 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

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doi: 10.20676/00000214
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CH. XI REEDS STACKED FOR FIRE SIGNALS 187

curious observation equally puzzling at first sight. At quite a number of watch-stations I noticed a series of queer little mounds, usually arranged in regular cross rows quincunx fashion or else in a line, but always at some little distance from each other. Closer examination showed that they all measured about seven to eight feet at their base and were built up entirely of fascines of reeds, laid crosswise in alternate layers. Their height varied from about one to seven feet and that at the same station. Sticks of wild poplar wood had been driven through the fascines in order to secure them when first stacked. No such strengthening was needed any longer. Through the action of the permeating salts the fascines had attained a quasi-petrified condition, and yet the fibres of each reed when detached were still flexible.

The dimensions of these fascines always corresponded to those used in the construction of the wall. This at first suggested that they were stacked ready for any urgent repairs. But then such stacks were to be found also at certain watch-towers well detached from the line of the wall. The true explanation offered itself when I repeatedly found some of the fascines reduced by fire to mere calcined fragments. This made it clear that the fascines thus stacked were meant to be used for signals by fire or smoke. The Chinese records found have supplied plentiful evidence of a system of such signals having been systematically organized and used on this Limes.

As I have already said, it is impossible here to refer to all the individual finds of interest. But I may just mention that from a refuse-filled room at one of the watch-posts on this section we recovered not less than eight neatly folded letters