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| 0311 |
On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1 |
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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 alter-
nate 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 re-
pairs. 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
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561
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571
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578
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