Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/62

32 described, for about forty feet, almost to the centre of the mound, further progress was impeded by the falHng in from the summit of a considerable portion of the superincumbent soil. This cutting was now filled up, and a vertical shaft sunk from the summit to the base, which was successively enlarged, so as to extend for fifty-five feet from east to west, across the middle of the tumulus. In the centre, the excavations were carried to a depth of nearly twenty feet from the summit; and during their course, the whole of the central part of the tumulus was satisfactorily explored.

For some time, I concluded that interments had been made at two or three distinct levels, and that skeletons were consequently to be found in as many successive tiers. Bones were indeed found, in considerable number, commencing at about three feet from the surface; but further observation showed that complete skeletons only exist at a level of from ten and a half to twelve feet from the summit of the hill,—the skeletons on the west side being at the greater depth. All the human remains which were found above this level, consisted of more or less scattered bones, which had evidently been disturbed since their original interment. In several instances, these bones formed small heaps, which, in some places, were almost in contact with the complete skeletons. The examination which has been made fully establishes the fact that, at this particular level, Lamel-hill had been the seat of interments arranged almost or quite as regularly as in any modern church-yard. In two instances, at least, as shown in the accompanying section, one skeleton was found lying over another; but this seems to have resulted from the same carelessness or want of method which leads to the like result at the present day. From twenty to thirty skeletons, and the detached bones of at least as many more, have been exhumed; and I think it may be concluded that this cemetery had afforded interment to from two to three hundred bodies.

The bones generally have all the appearance of great age. They are, for the most part, very light, porous, and brittle; many of them, in degree, resembling recent bones affected by the disease called eccentric atrophy. Those found nearest the surface, particularly on the south side of the tumulus, are much eroded, and have a peculiar worm-eaten appearance. Whilst, however, the more free action of air and water upon