of London[1] a valuable account of his observations. The large urn, into which the horse had stepped, was found to be an unusually fine specimen measuring 17 inches in height, and having a broad and pronounced band, or rim, round the upper part. This urn, it was found, had unfortunately been much damaged by the horse; the bottom was broken through, and much of the contents, consisting chiefly of calcined human bones, had been dispersed.
The operation of excavating the larger urn led to the discovery of a smaller urn, turned bottom upwards, resting on the shoulder of the larger specimen. The smaller urn contained powder of whitish colour, among which the following substances were identified: (1) chalk, (2) flints, (3) wood charcoal, (4) spiculæ of bones, (5) white flocculent matter, which dissolved completely in diluted hydrochloric acid, and (6) carbonate of lime.
Incense Cup Found at Wycombe Marsh.
In the larger urn, which it should be mentioned was in an inverted position, was found a charming example of those little earthen vessels to which the somewhat hypothetical name of incense-cup has been given. There is a certain character about the ornamentation of this example which gives it a special archæological interest, although it does not, perhaps, contribute anything towards the solution of the purpose which so-called 'incense-cups' served.
The smaller of the two urns measured 7¼ inches in height, and was regarded by the finder as a miniature cinerary urn rather than a food vessel or drinking cup. Like the larger urn it has a broad, well pronounced, and flat rim.
The use to which the so-called incense-cups were put is a question which still awaits a satisfactory explanation. The popular name given them is not quite satisfactory, because the openings usually found in the sides would not be suitable for censing purposes; it is difficult to understand how such vessels could hold incense. Another, possibly more plausible, explanation is that they were vessels used to convey some inflammable substance for the kindling of the funereal fire. The interesting point about the Wycombe Marsh 'incense-cup' is that the holes do not entirely pierce through the sides, leading to the conclusion that they represent a tradition which had become meaningless.
Some other rather interesting pieces of pottery of the bronze age found in Buckinghamshire, and now in the British Museum collection, were found during some explorations of circular hut floors at Hitcham. These consisted of three drinking cups, one of which is decorated by no
- ↑ Proceedings, 2nd series, vol. xii. pp. 338-346; also Records of Buckinghamshire, vol. vi. pp. 259, 260.
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