Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/368

350 were used as money needs not a word of refutation; no one has seriously advanced such a position; there is nothing whatever to support it; and the circumstances that the fragile nature of the material utterly unfits it for passing from hand to hand, and that the articles are found only in the Kimmeridge mint, are sufficient negative evidence to controvert any conclusion that may be drawn from a name, doubtless popularly acquired from the circular form of the pieces, and traditionally preserved amongst the peasantry.

All the considerations as to the use to which these articles were destined, resolve themselves into a negative character.

The "Coal Money," for instance, is not found in direct association with any sepulchral deposit. An interment in a kistvaen, in a low tumulus, has indeed been found in the same locality, with specimens of the "Coal Money" near, but manifestly from their position and all other circumstances not in connection with any sepulchral intention.

Nor is there any evidence that these articles were applied to any sacrificial purpose. It is true that Mr. Miles found a kistvaen, containing evidence of a sacrifice of the head of a bullock, but he distinctly says, that within this chamber there was no deposit of "Coal Money," though around it fragments of pottery and "Coal Money" were abundant; but this is the case all over the neighbourhood.

And on another occasion an instance was brought to light of a manifest sacrifice, consisting of the head and other parts of a bullock, but equally destitute of all evidences of direct association with the "Coal Money," specimens of which were irregularly scattered in the neighbourhood. Again, during the course of some investigations for "Coal Money" in the face of the cliff in Worthbarrow bay, evidences of sacrificial remains were discovered about two feet below the surface. A number of small flat stones were found, between and on which were ashes, charcoal, black mould, and other indications of the action of fire. These burnt materials were in some places in considerable abundance, and at one spot was a large quantity of charred wheat, the grains still retaining their form, resting on a flat stone somewhat larger than the average size. No "Coal Money," however, was found in immediate connection with these remains, but several pieces were observed lying as if accidentally and irregularly placed around them.

For the purposes of such an enquiry as this, it may avail to