Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/203

Rh In many of our colonies, such a state of things at present exists; and in the more fierce and uncivilised ages of the world, instances of individual communities of this kind must have been by no means rare. JAMES TALBOT.

sepulchre was discovered on the 21st of February last, at Geldestone, Norfolk, near Beccles, on the estate of John Kerrich, Esq., of Geldestone Hall. Two labourers in the employ of Henry G. Dowson, Esq., who rents the land, were digging a trench for the purpose of draining, when they most unexpectedly broke off the top of a large glass vessel, and the appearances hereafter to be described presented themselves.

The spot is very near the present course of the Waveney, where the land rises gradually above the river. The surface of the ground is peat, under which is sand, and then blue clay. An oak board, 2 inches thick at the thickest part, and rudely shaped by the adze, lay upon the clay, four or five feet beneath the surface. The size of this board is 31 inches by 14, but it is not exactly quadrangular. Rough mis-shapen oak boards, about 7 inches high, were placed round it on edge, so as to inclose the space. On the centre of the board was placed the glass vessel, which, having no other protection than the soil, was broken by the labourers, as I have already mentioned. It may be observed, that with the exception of the chalk-flints, which abound in the gravel, no stone of any kind is found in the surrounding country. Planks of oak were consequently the most durable material that could be obtained. Indeed, the large plank which formed the foundation of the sepulchre, is still firm and strong. Those, however, which were used for the sides, are very much decayed. They are in fact reduced to the state of peat.