Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/445

Rh ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE. 327 Since the time of the works in question a few more antiquities have been found, in consequence of dredging for gravel to a considerable depth, for the purpose of embankment at the same part of the Thames ; these like- wise have been universally found on the Middlesex side, and are all of a warlike description, with the exception of a hvonze Jihula of Roman fashion, in excellent preservation, the elasticity of the acus being still perfect. It must be observed, that the bronze weapons referred to are of the class of ancient remains now generally admitted to have belonged to the Britons, and not to the invaders. This, however, in no degree disproves the con- clusion formed by Dr. Roots, in regard to these being the vestiges of a deadly conflict between the natives and the Romans : on the contrary, the subsequent discovery of weapons of iron at the same place, appears, accord- ing to the supposition in which Sir Samuel Meyrick concurred with Dr. Roots, to mark the scene of a conflict in which Roman arms met those of the natives. The Roman character oih.&Jibula is unquestionable. These antiquities were found at a depth of about six feet under the gravel, and imbedded about eight inches in blue clay : they consist of celts, of the form with a stop-ridge, resembling closely the specimen represented in Mr. Du Noyer's Memoir on the Classification of Celts, (Archteol. Journal, vol. iv. p. 5,) but without the loop or ear at the side : — a bronze sword, measuring seventeen inches, of simple fashion, with four rivet-holes for the attachment of a hilt; the fibula, of which a representation is here given, found close to a celt ; and within a few yards lay, at the same depth, the iron spear-heads and the hatchet, imbedded nearly two feet in the blue clay under the gravel. This last, it must be observed, is of rather slight construction, appearing better suited for the purposes of warfare, than for hewing wood ; it closely resembles the iron axe communicated to the Society of Antiquaries by Sir Joseph Banks, in 1818, and found in the bed of the Witham, near Horslcy Deep, a locality where numerous Roman remains have been found at differ- ent times. Both ^are alike remarkable for the preservation of the iron, the great length of the cutting edge, and the singular thinness of the metal " The axe in Dr. Root's possession is rather smaller than that specimen, but in other respects precisely similar. It deserves notice that these axes bear much resemblance to that which appears, with a secespifa, on a Roman sculpture found at Binchester, figured in Lysons' Reliquia; ; but this last is a bijiennis, with a back-spike, being intended for sacrificial uses. The axe-head found at Kingston, the form of which is shewn by the annexed woodcut, measures about 8 in. across, the cutting edge about 7 in. gcrs, or spcar-heads of early form, the with a similar ring, engraved with a figure ring, &c., found at Kingston, with a letter of St. Catherine; and reference to .Mr. from Dr. Roots, detailing the tacts of the Jesse's work will shew that a figure pre- discovery. Tins ring is an instance, de- ciscly similar, but much defaced, was per- serving of attention, how cautiously an- ccptihle on the facet of the Kingston ring, cii'ut objects found in the same locality, or '" This curious axe is now in the Museum even precise deposit, must be taken as be- of the Society. A representation is given longing to the same period. This relic is in the Archteologia, vol. xix. pi. 41. p. 409. a decade-ring, probably of the iiftecntli The late Mr. Taylor Combe appears to century ; a representation of it has been have considered it to be of Roman date, given in this volume of the Journal, p. 64,