Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/412

 ^roccEtiinfiS at ii)t J^lfttings of tj^e ^rcbafologfcal Enstttutf. June 7, 1850. Sir John Boileau, Bart, V. P., in the Chair. Mr. Deck, of Cambridge, communicated an account of the discovery of some ancient remains of unusual interest on the line of Roman road, forming part of the Ickhng Street, from Royston to Caistor, and in the parish of Little Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire.^ One of the numerous tumuli in that locaHty having recently been examined, a skeleton of great stature was found, with various relics, considered to be of the Anglo-Saxon age, consisting of weapons and an umbo of iron, with a remarkable cylindrical object, formed of wood hooped with ornamental work of brass, analogous to those found at Ash, in Kent, and in Wiltshire. (Douglas, Nenia, plate 12 ; Hoare's Ancient Wilts, vol. ii., pi. vi.) Dr. Mantell remarked, that the skull of the deceased warrior, which is in perfect preservation, appeared to be of singular interest as an example wholly dissimilar to any which he had discovered in the investigation of tumuli, or had seen in collections. Some lateral pressure must have been employed to produce so singular a conformation. He adverted to the value of Dr. Morton's observations on crania, as supplying evidence for the dis- crimination of ancient races ; and expressed the hope that this unique specimen might be preserved in some public collection, with the accompany- ing relics, and rendei'ed accessible to the scientific inquirer. Mr. Hawkins then announced to the meeting, that the long-desired " British Room," exclusively appropriated to the formation of a Series of National Antiquities at the British Museum, had been provided, and that the cases and fittings of this new department were nearly completed. He would take this occa- sion to invite the assistance of archaeologists in carrying this desirable object into efiect, by the presentation of ancient remains, for which a suitable place of deposit had at length been set apart. The members of the Institute, and all English Archaeologists, must warmly appreciate the noble liberality of his Grace the Duke of Northumberland, who had generously presented, through the Central Committee of the Institute, one of the most curious collections of remains ever discovered in these islands, — the antiquities found on his Grace's estates at Stanwick. This donation would be honourably recorded as the first that had been made in special encouragement and furtherance of an object of such paramount interest to English antiquaries, as the assemblage of a suitable display of National Remains in the British Museum. Mr. Deck forthwith made the gratifying announcement of his intention to deposit in the "British Room " the entire collection of ancient relics found at Little Wilbraham, and now submitted to the Society ; he hoped that they might form an important link in the chain of archaeological evidence about to be scientifically arranged in the new department, the want of which had so long been felt by antiquaries in this country. A memoir was then read, contributed by the Rev. William Gunner, local secretary at Winchester, relative to the recent discovery of a Great Seal of ' This Memoir will be given in a future Journal.