Prehistoric Remains
mound as that reared at Safester, in “some remote and dateless day” a gallant chief was laid to rest with barbaric dignity and pomp,—
“Whose gallant deeds
Haply at many a solemn festival
The Skald hath sung; but perish'd is the song
Of praise, as o'er these bleak and barren downs
The wind that passes and is heard no more.”
In some of the large mounds, such as in the Muckle Hjoag, along with considerable quantities of human bones, numbers of cinerary urns have been found, some formed out of stone, others of baked clay. Several large clay specimens have also been discovered in Papa Stour. One of these, which unfortunately is incomplete, a considerable portion of the upper part having been broken away, is made of coarse clay, and exhibits no appearance of decoration. It is 13½ inches in height, but has doubtless been taller when complete. The base is narrow, measuring 5
inches in diameter, and it widens out at
