Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/532

392 it for inspection whilst the excavations were in progress. It measures, in length, 6$1⁄4$ in., and the cutting-edge 2$1⁄2$ in. The edge is sharpened on one side only, and the general form, as observed, seemed to indicate that its use had been for squaring timber, and not as an hostile weapon. It was found near the seat of the Earl of Craven, in whose possession some remarkable iron weapons, attributed to the Saxon period, are preserved, especially the sword, exhibited by his lordship's kind permission in the Museum of the Institute during the Oxford Meeting. Various examples of ancient axe-heads of similar form may be cited, corresponding in the singular obtuse termination of the lower part of the cutting edge.

communicated the following details regarding some Early British remains in Norfolk:—"On Salthouse Heath, near Holt, many tumuli and other ancient earthworks, such as pits, and a curious circle of raised earth, may be observed. Two of the most conspicuous of these tumuli, which are locally called 'Three Halfpenny' and 'Three Farthing' Hills, are situated at the extremity of the Heath near Holt, near a farm called 'The Lowes,' probably taking its name from the neighbouring tumuli, anciently denominated Lowes. Three Halfpenny Hill was partially examined in the course of last winter by Mr. Bolding, of Weybourne. A small and broken urn of sun-burnt clay was all that was then discovered; it had apparently been placed somewhere near the surface of the mound on the north-east edge; but its position was not clearly ascertained, for it was not observed until after it had been thrown out by the workmen. This urn is only 4 inches in height, and has a kind of chevron pattern scored on the rim. The mound in which it was found is about 70 feet in diameter, and 8 feet in height, bounded by a bank and double trench.

"On Aug. 26 I opened the adjoining tumulus, commonly called 'Three Farthing' Hill. It is a large mound, being 40 feet in diameter, and 5 in height, and is formed of sand mixed with flints and gravel; in shape it somewhat resembles an inverted bowl. It is not, like the other, surrounded by a trench. I commenced operations by causing a trench to be dug across the mound, as nearly as I could judge in a north-east and south-westerly direction. The ground had lately been disturbed, and a small hole made in the centre by a boy who had been digging for a rabbit; and when the trench had been dug to the depth of about a foot, a small piece of pottery appeared, which had evidently only lately been broken off. Thus encouraged I continued excavating, and at the depth of about 4 feet came upon the fragments of an urn of considerable size, with a broad rim, rudely ornamented with scored lines. This urn was filled with burnt bones, and had evidently been broken by the boy mentioned above, who, as I afterwards found, had actually dug out a rabbit from the place only the day before. The fragments having been carefully removed, the excavations were resumed. About 3 feet from the surface, and in the centre of the