Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/547

 IN MILITARY OPERATIONS. 377 left in the wall. A thong oi- cham passed through the loop would in such cases afford the means of drawing it out again, and would prevent it from being lost. In the Memoires de la Societe des Antiquaires de rOucst, Poitiers, A.D. 1844 — 1846, there is an account, as I am informed, of an ancient wall, in which celts were found sticking as if tlicj had been left in this manner. It was supposetl that they had been used instead of a ladder to scale the wall ; but, if my theory is founded in fact, this will be regarded as a case in point ; and it is evident that the loop or ring, having a cord or thong, or perhaps a chain passed through it, would be of great service to assist in withdrawing the celt. This would be more especially the case where the celt was provided with two rings, as was often done. Through the kind- ness of our Secretary, Mr. Way, I am enabled to produce (half the real size) the figure in the annexed wood-cut of a bronze chisel, found A.D. 1810, in a bar- row, near Pitcur, North Britain, and belon2;ino; to the collection of the Hon. James Tall3ot. It is very strong. Its lower end seems exactly fitted to act as a, lever or a wedge. Its upper, bent perhaps accidentally, seems in- tended to be fixed in a stout handle of wood, or possibly of horn, and the two rings would afford a very strong attachment either for fastening it to the handle, or withdrawing it from any fixed position. The circumstance of its discovery in a barrow is an evidence that it was used for some military purpose, for bar- rows were not the tombs of agriculturists, gardeners, masons, or carpenters, but of chieftains and warriors. VOL. VT. 3 E