Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/537

Rh earth of about the same depth. Beneath was found a second pavement of large flat stones, very closely laid upon a stratum of earth, marl, and burnt clay, mixed with some bones of pigs, deer, and fowls. On carrying the excavation still deeper, the timber platform was brought to view. Amongst the earth all around the stockade, large quantities of bones of horned cattle, deer, hogs, sheep, dogs, and fowls, have been found; amongst these are many antlers of the red deer, some horns of fallow deer, with a very few of the ancient elk. Some of the deers' horns had been cut by the saw. With these remains, for the most part, were found relics of metal and bone in great number, and of various periods, some of them, as bronze celts, spear-heads, pins, brooches, &c., appear to be of a remote age, whilst other objects may be of as recent date as 150 or 100 years ago, possibly, the production of some artisan who had established himself in the island, and was provided with a turning lathe, as appearances led Mr. Kelly to suppose. A bronze hatchet was found, and one of iron, having the steel edge riveted on in a very singular manner; a bronze cauldron, formed of plates curiously riveted together, needles, and a comb of bone, rings of stone, a pestle and mortar, &c. The pins and brooches were very numerous and varied in fashion, some being of extremely beautiful workmanship. Two canoes of oak, each formed of a single tree, were found near the island. Many other curious relics have been disinterred in the drainage of this district, and two other crannoges have been noticed, one at Clonfree Lake, just opposite to the site traditionally designated as the remains of a palace; the other is an island in Ardekillan Lake, opposite to a ruined church. Near this crannog had been found a canoe, formed of a single oak, 30 feet long, and 4 feet across near the bow; and in this were discovered a spear-head and a skull, with the frontal bone perforated, and twenty sword-cuts discernible upon it. Close to this island were discovered some fetters of extraordinary size, and a huge padlock by which they were fastened. These, with the cranium, had been secured for the Museum of the R. I. Academy.

Professor communicated a report of the recent investigations commenced by him, in concert with Mr. Newmarch, amongst the exterior remains of Corinium. They have been chiefly promoted by a zealous local antiquary, Mr. Thomas Brown, who had hitherto liberally defrayed the chief expense occasioned by the excavations. The vestiges of the city walls, the structure of the amphitheatre, and other points of interest had been examined; whilst, in the course of some works for building purposes, a rich addition had been made to the collections of coins, ornaments, and implements of bronze, and fictilia. Permission having been obtained to explore during the ensuing winter, a site of more than ordinary promise, known as the Leauses, where many valuable Roman relics have been from time to time discovered, it is very desirable to carry out a systematic excavation; and the friendly aid of archaeologists is requested to augment the small subscription fund, available for the purpose, and give encouragement to an undertaking to which local resources are not fully adequate. Contributions may be sent to James Buckman, Esq., Cirencester.

The Rev. F., Vicar of Bishop's Lydeard, Somerset, communicated the following account of his recent examination of the remains, as supposed, of ancient habitations, within one of the hill-fortresses in that county;—"Having obtained permission from Mr. Pigott, the owner of the property, I began on Thursday, Oct. 17, to make excavations in the area