Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/277

 Koticcs of ^rcf)ncoIogtcnl ^Bubltcntfons. FAIRFORD GRAVES. A Record of Rescarclics in an An^lo-Saxon Burial-j.Iace in Glniicestershirc. By Wilmam Miciiakl Wylie, B.A., F.S.A. Oxford: J. II. Parker, 4to. Thirteen lithographic phitcs. The remarkable discoveries related in this volume m.ay be partially known already to many readers of the Journal. The detailed record, for which we are indebted to Mr. Wylie, fully realises the anticipation of the singular interest of his researches which have been adverted to from time to time in various publications of the day. The recent labours of several able anti- quaries have been successfully addressed to the elucidation of a most diffi- cult, and at the same time very interesting, chapter of National Archae- ology; whilst the increasing facilities for comparison of the scattered vestiges of the Teutonic races in these islands, and in other lands, have caused the subject, on which Mr. Wylic's e.vertions have thrown so impor- tant a light, to be deservedly regarded with greater interest. The tumular burial-places in Kent have repeatedly afforded a harvest of curious facts relating to this encpiiry ; and much valuable information has been collected in the remote wilds of Derbyshire by the indefatigable researches of Mr. Bateinan. In the volume before us, however, a locality hitherto almost untouched has contributed a mass of evidence, surpassing in its varied interest that produced in any publication since the appearance of the It is only by such a circumstantial record, copiously illustrated, that any satisfactory conclusions can be established as regards the obscure period subsequent to that of the occupation of these islands by the Romans ; or that we may hope at length to institute a scientific comparison of such relics as our own country affords, with those of similar character throughout Europe. We rejoice, therefore, to learn that Mr. Neville contemplates the production of a complete Monograph illustrative of his recent discoveries in another remarkable Anglo-Saxon Necropolis, at Little Wilbraham, the last of his achievements in the cause of Archaeological science. The volume before us might form the theme of a lengthened notice. We must, however, on the present occasion, be content to commend it cordially to the attention of our readers. Fairfoid, heretofore a name familiar to the antiquary through that remarkable display of painted glass preserved in its church, has now assumed a most honourable position in the annals of Archaeology, as the depository of an almost unequalled assemblage of curious ornaments, weapons, objects of domestic use, and personal appliances of various kinds, bearing the pecidiar impress of the period of the Anglo- Sa.xon settlement in Britain. Amongst these we nmst specially call atten- tion to the curious little brass-bound vessel of wood, resembling in character that which was brought under the notice of the Institute by Mr. Deck, but of smaller dimensions ; as also to the remains of others of larger size. ' Mr. Wylie, we may observe, considers the specimen fomid at Fairford to be a drinking-cup ; at onetime, indeed, he had entertained the same notion which had suggested itself to Mr. Deck in regard to the specimen found ia Cambridgeshire, namely that it had served as a kind of headdress. ' ' Fairford Graves, plates 8 and 12. " ArchacoL Journal, vol. viii. p. 172.
 * ' Xcnia."