Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/128

 100 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OP biirial-gi'ouml, several skulls having been brought to light in the piece of land situate about two hundred y;u"ds soutli of the present chureh at Llantwit. The soil was removed by my tenant down to the natural rock, for the pvn-pose of obtaining a solid foundation for building. In a kind of oval, or pan-sha])ed cavity worked out of the rock, and meaiiuring about oft. by 2 ft. in width, and 18 in. in depth, the bronze object w:s found." This rock-grave contained a quantity of black fatty matter, ajiparcntly the decomposed remains of the corpse. It will be seen by the accompanying woodcut that tliis singular object is fashioned with considerable skill and careful finish ; some of the edges arc grooved or notched ; at intervals there arc five hooks upon which are api>ended rings that might servo as means of attachment by cords or thongs, their strain being, as will be noticed, in direction of the bifurcate end of the object. It measures about G in. in length. It is somewhat doubtful whether the blunt end has been broken oft", and there is no indication what may have been the extremity, in that direc- tion. It is also probable that the projecting shanks have been squeezed together. Dr. Thurnam is of opinion that the relic is not of bronze ; on DroDM Hi>ur, with tlic point of iron, foiiu<l with nom.in njllcs near tlio Kuuian way (ruiii AlchcHtur to DurchuNttjr. (Under aide, originid sIkc.) close examination l»o has e-xjiresscd also tlio opinion that i*, is not " Ancient IJritish.'' Tlic jxitiud is certainly Koinowhat pale in colour, and docH not present tlic glossy, ricli appearance of an early jieriod. No probable conjectm-o ha<l been HUgge.stcd in regard to the use or ago of this relic. Tlio only object presenting certain features of rcsemblanco liithcrto pointed out is a spur of l)ronzo, with an iron point or aculius, much decayed, ho that its original fashion cannot bo ascertained. It is hero figured, and it will be Keen that in the recurved hook and the dontatcd edges of the bhunka a considerable degree of analogy may be perceived.