Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/430

 336 TWO REMARKABLE GLOBULAR OBJECTS. NOTICE OF TWO REMARKABLE GLOBULAR OBJECTS. FOUND IN SUSSEX AND GLOUCESTERSHIRE. The advantages attending the practice adopted bj the Institute, in forming a classified collection at each of their Annual Meetings, with the especial view of drawing forth such scattered remains of antiquity as may have been jti'eserved in the locality, was strikingly shown at Bristol, in 1851. The late Dr. Mantell had, long previousl}^ discovered in Sussex a singular and highly decorated ball, on the surface of which appear seven astroidal ornaments, formed by incrustation of hard paste of reddish-brown colour, of various shades, on a white ground.^ This curious relic had been regarded as unique, until at the Bristol ]Ieeting, a precisely similar ball, previously considered as an object of trivial or modern character, was offered for exhibition by the Rev. Dr. White, through Mr. Freeman. An opportunity was thus afforded for the comparison of two objects of such peculiar workmanship, found in localities so remote from each other. The accompanying plate represents these highly curious balls. The first, found in Sussex, was dug up, as stated by Dr. Mantell, in a tumulus on the Downs near the race-course at Brighton ; it was deposited with ashes in an urn of rude fabrication found in a broken state, and described as of " the coarse half-burnt British pottery." No other relics were found near the spot. A slight fracture appeared at one side, which, having been enlarged by the late Sir F. Chantrey and Dr. Buckland, enabled those distinguished authorities to pronounce that the ball consisted of a nodule of flint or chert, incrusted with a thin layer of the ornamental paste. The second, discovered at Slymbridge, in Gloucestershire, was sent by the Rev. R. M. White, Rector of that place. It was found in 1847 by his servant, when employed in cleaning out a ditch which serves as a drain to the old moat surrounding the Rectory Garden. It lay imbedded in a ' Catalogue of Mantell Museum, p. 37.