The Duke of Northumberland communicated a singular discovery stated to have been made in Gloucestershire, consisting of several small Egyptian figures of lapis-lazuli, porcelain, and other materials, with three scarabæi. They were reported to have been found with Roman remains, on the estate of E. Hopkinson, Esq., by whom these relics were sent to his Grace, and they were exhibited on this occasion.
Mr. Way then read a communication, received from John Johnes, Esq., of Dolancothi, Llandovery, relating to some remarkable gold ornaments discovered in Caermarthenshire, and supposed to be of the Roman period. The correctness of this notion, which hitherto had required confirmation, had recently been shown by comparison with the beautiful ornaments purchased by the Trustees of the British Museum, from the cabinet of Mr. Brumell. About the year 1796 or 1797, as Mr. Johnes relates, the first discovery occurred, comprising a gold chain, some torques or bracelets, and three or four rings: with the exception of the chain, they had been presented by his late father to Colonel Johnes, of Hafod, and by him, as it was stated, to Sir Joseph Banks; but Mr. Johnes had in vain sought to ascertain their actual existence. The chain is still in his possession, as also a wheel-shaped ornament of gold, described as a fibula, but more properly, as appears by those lately in Mr. Brumel's museum, a clasp or central ornament connected with the chain. "The fibula (Mr. Johnes writes) was found subsequently, in 1819. They were all turned up by the plough, and it would seem that the rings and torques were fastened together by the chain. The field in which they were found is part of the Dolancothi demesne, and is called Cae-garreg-lwyd(the field of the grey stone),—so named, I presume, from a large conglomerate stone which formerly stood in it. It might have been a drifted boulder, or perhaps connected with some rites of the Druids. When it was removed, no remains whatever were found under it. The field is situated on the side of a hill, facing S.E.; it is about 14 of a mile to N.E. of the Roman road leading from Llanfair-ar-ybryn (close to the town of Llandovery, Caermarthenshire), to Loventium, now Llanio, in Cardiganshire. This road, like many others, is called 'Sarn Helen,'—Helena's road. At both these places there were Roman stations. About 34 of a mile from the field the old mining works, called Gogofau, are situated, which are of such great extent, that unless it be admitted that they were known to the Britons prior to the coming of the Romans, there may seem little doubt that the Romans must have been stationed for a long time in the neighbourhood.[1] Numerous remains of wall-tiles and pottery have been turned up by the plough, as also some vestiges of a Roman bath.
"The chain is formed of gold wire, the fashion of which may he seen by the accompanying sketch, for which I am indebted to my friend, the Rev. S. Williams.[2] (See woodcut.)
"The hook at the top of the fibula is open, and no doubt at the other end the pin was prolonged, so that it would appear that it might have been used either as a pin or brooch, or as a pendant. The length of the chain is about 4412 inches; length of each link, about 38ths of an inch; length of the fastening of the chain, 12 an inch; weight of the chain and fastening,
- ↑ See an interesting memoir on these ancient workings, by Mr. Warington Smyth, Geological Memoirs, vol. i., Pl. VIII., and Murchison's Silurian System.
- ↑ Mr. Falkner, of Deddington, who chanced to be present at the Meeting, produced a portion of gold chain precisely similar in workmanship, found with Roman remains at Great Barford, in Oxfordshire.
