Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/122

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ANGLO-SAXON CEMETERY ON LINTON HEATH.

is one of the most curious objects discovered, and I am not aware that a similar example has occurred. It might appear by the small loop on the outer edge of one side, that it was attached to some part of the dress (see accompanying woodcuts, Figs. XI. XII.) A pair of bronze clasps; these lay at the waist (compare those figured in "Saxon Obsequies," plate 12). A circular iron buckle was found also at the waist, 11/2 inch in diameter; this had a broad tongue, with thin bronze plate, for attachment to a strap; a large ring of iron lay by the left thigh; and an iron knife by the left side, 71/2 inches long, 1 inch wide at base, 1/2 inch at point.

No. 10.—5 feet deep. Two iron knives, broken; one small brass coin of Constans, perforated for suspension as a neck-ornament.

No. 11.—5 feet deep. No reliques found with the deposit. The bones were those of a very young person. The skull of a badger occurred in this day's work, as in a barrow at Melburn in 1847, and the burying-ground at Chesterford. As there are fox-earths in this mound, this may be accidental.

No. 12.—5 feet deep. A child twelve or fourteen years old. Two small bronze wire armlets with extending slides, 13/4 inch in diameter (see "Saxon Obsequies," plate 11, No. 38).

January 6. A third brass coin of Carausius, Rev. Pax type. Two amber beads were also found this day.

January 8. No. 13.—5 feet deep. An iron spear 14 inches long lay by the right side of the head; length of blade, 8 inches; 11/2 wide at base, 11/4 at point; open-slit socket with remains of wood within it.

No. 14.—4 feet 1 inches deep. One iron spear lay by right side of head, 9 inches long. The base of this blade is very narrow for an inch, gradually widening to an inch, and tapering again to an inch at the point; open-slit socket as before. An iron boss of a shield was found at the left side, with shelving roof, projecting apex surmounted by a button, and a broad rim at base for fastening it to the shield with five nails. Its shape may be seen in plate 37, "Saxon Obsequies." Leather appears to have been stretched over this umbo, from the fragments of such a covering still remaining. An iron sword lay by the left thigh; this is long and narrow, measuring 2 feet 91/2 inches, hilt included; width nearly the same from end to end, 2 inches. Frag-