A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE
A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE it may be added that it shows a considerable resemblance to the example figured in the plate in Archceologia just referred to. It is a curious fact that although the rest of the objects figured passed into the British Museum, the celt shown did not find its way there. The bits already referred to and here figured consisted in their originally perfect condition of two somewhat oval rings about 3 inches in diameter (outside measurement), and three connecting links skilfully wrought. The space between the large rings is 5 inches. Unfortu- nately both the bits have been broken, but enough remains to show the definitely Late Celtic characteristics, especially in the terminations of the connecting links. It thus appears that with the Early Iron Age antiquities found at Hagbourne Hill, representing probably the remains of the burial of a horse and horseman, if not indeed of a chariot also, there were found in association at least three typical Bronze Age objects. Mr. Reginald A. Smith l regards this as a ' survival into the Iron period of imple- ments characteristic of the Bronze Age,' a supposition which is per- fectly natural. The precise circumstances of this discovery have not, as far as is known to the writer, ever been recorded, and it is possible that the bronze celt found in 1893 may have no intimate relation to the antiquities unearthed in 1803. Sepulchral deposits of this kind in which the horse and even the chariot, or part of it, have been cremated with the body of the dead warrior indicate undoubtedly the resting-places of persons of distinction, and are in harmony with the customs prevailing at earlier periods. All the Late Celtic relics rescued from the Hagbourne Hill site are now preserved in the British Museum. Mr. R. E. Goolden, F.S.A., procured, and in 1906 presented to the British Museum, a rather interesting form of socketed iron spear-head or lance-head, from a site near Stonehouse at Cookham Dean. In its original condition it probably measured somewhat over 7 inches in length but the socket-end and the extreme point of the sharp end are both missing, and the existing spear-head has unfortunately been broken into two pieces. Still, it clearly shows, as will be seen from the accompanying photograph, the hollow groove down the centre which seems to be characteristic of weapons of this class and period. Other characteristic objects 2 of this period found in Berkshire include a bronze dagger-sheath found at Cookham, pottery found at Abingdon, and a bronze button from an unknown locality in the county. The last-mentioned article resembled the example found at Kingsholm, Gloucestershire. THE WHITE HORSE AT UFFINGTON The gigantic figure of a horse cut out on the side of the hill upon which Uffington ' Castle ' is situated is of sufficient antiquity and importance to have given its name to the great valley or vale which it 1 B. M. Guide to Antiq. of the Early Iron Age, 83, 103. Arch. Cambr. (ser. 5) xiii. 329-30. 1 88
