Fig. 42.—Ground-plan and Sections of Grave-mounds in Eigg.
Fig. 43.—Brooch of Bronze, silvered, from Grave-mound in Eigg (2½ inches diameter).
Fig. 44.—Belt-Clasp (actual size).
Two other grave-mounds in the same neighbourhood were excavated in 1875 by Professor Macpherson, and I had the opportunity of seeing them subsequently. The ground-plans and sections of them which are here given (Fig. [42]), were made by Mr. Arthur Joass. The largest mound was about 40 feet in diameter and from 6 to 7 feet in height, with a circular depression in the centre. In an enclosure roughly formed of stones in the centre of the mound and on the original level of the surface, there were found traces of an interment, with grave-goods, of the usual Viking character. They consisted of an iron sword in the sheath, similar to that found in the Islay grave, an iron axe-head, a spear-head of iron, a penannular brooch of bronze plated with silver and ending in knobs of the shape of thistle heads (Fig. [43]), an agrafe or belt-clasp of bronze or brass, ornamented with a scroll-like pattern in relief (Fig. [44]); a small whetstone (Fig. [45]), and several portions of dress consisting of cloth of three different varieties of texture (Fig. [46]), one of which is trimmed with fur.
Fig. 45.—Whetstone (actual size).
Fig. 46.—Specimens of Cloth found in the Grave-mound.