ROMANO-BRITISH BERKSHIRE two or three centuries B.C. But the Celtic civilization can be traced back at least to the fourth century; and La Tene, in a general sense, represents the Celtic culture of central and western Europe, after that of Hallstatt had disappeared. The principal characteristic of these brooches is a coiled spring on both sides of the head; and in the early specimens the foot is turned back almost to meet the bow. The extremity of the foot is wanting in fig. 3, which is of exceptional size, but the type is well represented by figs. 4, 5, 6; No. 5 having the bow ornamented like the well-known series from Dux, Bohemia, and No. 6 having had a setting of amber or glass at the end of the foot, and an iron axis added to the spring. In the next stage (La Te'ne II) the end of the foot coalesces with the bow, but in the present series the next in order is a late specimen of La Te'ne III (fig. 7), where the space between the catch-plate and the returned foot has been reduced, and two mouldings represent the collars that at an earlier stage attached the foot to the bow. A knob is added to the end of the 'catch-plate, and the spiral spring at the head has also undergone a modification, being strengthened (originally) by a hook attached to the head. This innovation marks the close of the pure La Te'ne types, and may belong to the early part of the first century, though the late Dr. Tischler J assigned this type to the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81-96). The next in logical order, if not in date, is a specimen (fig. 8) with stout bow on which near the head are lines suggestive of Late-Celtic workmanship. Here the original spiral spring is wanting, and the existing arrangement is not in accordance with the type; but the catch-plate is of special importance. The open triangular space at the foot of types La The II and III was no doubt felt to be a source of weakness, and we have seen it partially filled in fig. 7; but a more pleasing method was here adopted, and an open-work key-pattern, that is sometimes executed with extreme delicacy and finish (as in Italy), added strength and distinction to this article of the toilet. Certain specimens are approximately dated by coins, and in this country can be assigned to the first century, as a more advanced type is found with coins of the second, A.D. There is at present insufficient evidence to determine the exact sequence of the types next to be considered (figs. 9, 10, n), but all must fall between about 150 and 300 A.D. Two (figs. 9 and 10) have several points of resemblance, both having knobs at the foot, and mouldings in the centre of the bow, the head and bow to- gether forming a T. In No. 9 the bow spreads at the head as in a common British form of the period, and the spring consists of a long spiral coil the ends of which are connected by a chord outside. The next stage is marked by the appearance of a semi-cylindrical cover for the long spiral spring, and this cover soon developed into a cylinder, containing not the spiral spring but only its axis, which now served as a hinge for the pin. Thus, fig. 10 has a perforated pin-head through which passes an axis, and is therefore a hinged brooch. Simi- larly, fig. n, which may be native work, has a hinge, and is further provided with a loop projecting from the head. This is a common feature on Romano-British specimens, and was sometimes utilized for connecting a pair by means of a chain. The next specimen illustrated (fig. 12) belongs to an earlier stage, before the spiral had disappeared, and the chord was caught by a hook to increase the tension. The pin is wanting, but a brooch precisely similar is published 2 from S. Sweden, and belongs to a provincial Roman type specially common in N. Germany. It has been assigned to the first century of our era, and is known in Germany as Augenfibel (eye-brooch), there being two engraved rings with central dots at the end of the head, just above the spiral spring. A new influence may be traced in the next group, an intermediate stage being perhaps 1 Meyer, Gurina, pi. vi. fig. 10, No. 45. O. Almgren, Nordeurofdiscbe Fibelformen, pp. 25, 144, pi. iii. fig. 52. 1 225 29 FIG. ii. BROOCH OF ROMAN PERIOD. (Reading Museum) {.
