A strange story made it into the published press during 1685 when a local broadsheet printed the tale. A group of workmen were excavating a patch of Colton's Field around two miles from Cirencester. Described as a "Strange And Wonderful Discovery", two of the workmen stumbled upon a hidden cave. Among the loose gravel at the foot of the hill by the field, they uncovered a hidden cave entrance. When they entered, lanterns in hand, they came across a series of carved out corridors and rooms. Adorned with furnishings, when the air was disturbed in the room, they crumbled into dust before their eyes. Also in the room were several urns containing ashes and golden coins. Latin could be seen written on some of the urns, bringing the history to the Roman period. The coins had Roman inscriptions on also with various Emperors depicted on one side. Suddenly, as they explored, a full-sized man with a baton appeared in front of them. Striking out at one of the men, they fled the cave and did not return until the next day. Upon their return they brought a gentlemen of known reputation with them to confirm their find. The figure, which is described as an automaton, reappeared and once again attempted to strike out. They grabbed as much gold as they could, not before noticing two severed heads with long beards peering out at them. At this point they heard a loud and anguished groan so once again the three men fled the scene, carrying a few of the treasures with them. It is believed that the hill in question is now known as Torbarrow Hill in which two prehistoric tombs were excavated with nothing found in either. Roman automata are not unheard of, it is rumoured that Emperor Octavian had a group of them guarding his treasure chamber. Perhaps one of these rare and strange devices was indeed found and has since been secreted away.
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Fantastic Britain: Myths And LegendsWritten by Rowan Blair Colver Categories
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