Mr. Jones observed that, in the rich Collection of Scandinavian Antiquities, in the Museum at Copenhagen, he had seen several of these large brooches, of almost similar fashion to the specimens represented, and in a perfect state, with the acus uninjured. They were apparently formed of copper or brass. Some examples of this kind have been published by the Society of Antiquaries of the North.[1]
An urn of baked clay, containing burned bones, was also found in the same place; but unfortunately it was not preserved. The general form of the tumulus may still be traced. No records or tradition exist of any battle fought in the immediate vicinity. Near the tumulus runs a Roman road, still designated as "The Street," passing from Ribchester (Rigodunum) to Lancaster (Longoricum), entering into the great Roman road from Carlisle to the south, at a little distance from Claughton Hall. Mr. Jones remarked that the tumulus doubtless covered the remains of a Saxon Thane, or Danish Jarl, buried with his arms and ornaments.
Mr. Talbot communicated a memoir illustrative of the discovery of a very curious deposit of weapons and various implements at Lagore, county Meath, in a tumulus of singular formation, inclosing a frame-work of oak, formed into chambers, in which were deposited numerous remains of animals, and weapons of bronze, in great variety. A collection of bronze relics, and a very fine specimen of Irish enamelled work, were exhibited by Mr. Talbot. These interesting notices will be given in a future number of this Journal. He laid before the meeting also a bronze celt, discovered in Harewood Square, London, the surface of which was very much decayed, supposed to be owing to the imperfect alloy of the metal: and some remarks ensued in reference to ancient mixed metals. Mr. Westmacott stated that he had caused analysis to be made of certain antique metals, and it had been ascertained that the proportion of tin in ancient bronze was exceedingly small; he instanced the helmet found in the Troad, to which the notice of antiquaries had been called by the late Mr. Morritt. The Dean of Westminster remarked, that it was less important to obtain the alloy of hardest quality for armour, than for edged weapons. In Mexico, as it had been ascertained by analysis, directed by Humboldt, an edge of great hardness was obtained by a proper alloy of tin with copper.
Mr. Dundas, of Arniston, North Britain, related various interesting particulars regarding discoveries of ancient ornaments at Largo, on the coast of Fifeshire, on the property of the late General Durham. A collection of these curious remains were exhibited; comprising two gold armillæ, one of which has been represented in a previous part of this number of the Journal. (See p. 53.) The other ornaments were of silver, apparently of the ninth or tenth century, and of most curious description. They were found in a tumulus, at Largo, and have been represented in the splendid work on the Antiquities of Angus, recently presented to the Bannatyne Club by Mr. Patrick Chalmers.[2]
- ↑ Mr. Worsaae has given a curious specimen, with the acus complete, in his Introduction to the Antiquities of Denmark, and an extraordinary brooch of this kind is figured in the Memoires de la Soc. des Antiqn. du Nord, 1840-3, Tab. II. It is said that similar ornaments have been found in Iceland with coins of the tenth century.
- ↑ These antiquities will be described fully on a future occasion.
