The centres of the lunulæ are plain, the exact reason of which is not quite apparent. The ornament is gathered to the end of the lunula and spaced out by bands. Two lunulæ found together at Padstow, Cornwall, are said to have been found with a bronze celt of early type. The find is preserved in the Truro Museum, and is of the utmost importance as an indication of the early Bronze-Age date of the lunulæ. It is, we believe, the only instance of lunulæ being found with associated objects.
Fig. 47.—Gold Lunula found in Co. Galway.
Figures [46-49] and [51-53] illustrate the various types of ornament; it will be noticed that some of the smaller examples are quite plain.
One lunula was found in an oak case at Newtown, Crossdoney, Co. Cavan. The case has greatly shrunk since it was found, as when first discovered it measured 10 inches by 8 inches (fig. [50]).
Fig. 48.—Gold Lunula, locality not recorded.
The two expanded pieces at the ends are always turned at right angles to the plane of the lunula, and serve to clasp the back of the neck, and may have been secured by a tie. It need not, however, be pointed out that they are quite out of place in a head-ornament; indeed, the geometrical shape of a lunula is contrary to such a theory, and quite different from recognized diadems or head-ornaments.