Fig. 181.
Fig. 182.
Fig. 183.
In Bronze, the articles found are celts, daggers, awls, pins, etc. Celts are, however, but seldom met with in barrows, although frequently ploughed up in the course of agricultural operations. Palstaves and socketed celts, etc., are also occasionally picked up. The ordinary form of celt will be best understood by the engravings here given (figs. [183] and [185]) from Irish examples, and by the next figure ([187]), from Moot-Low, near Dove Dale. One of these celts, of precisely similar form to [fig. 187], found in a barrow at Shuttlestone, has been the means of throwing considerable light on the mode of interment adopted. The barrow contained “the skeleton of a man in the prime of life and of fine proportions, apparently the sole occupant of the mound, who had been interred whilst enveloped in a skin of dark red colour, the hairy surface of which had left many traces both upon the surrounding earth and upon the verdigris or patina coating of a bronze axe-shaped celt and dagger, deposited with the skeleton. On the former weapon there are also beautifully distinct impressions of fern leaves, handfuls of which, in a compressed and half-decayed state, surrounded the bones from head to foot. From these leaves being discernible on one side of the celt only, whilst the other side presents traces of leather alone, it is certain that the leaves were placed first as a couch for the reception of the corpse, with its accompaniments, and after these had been deposited, were then further added in quantity sufficient to protect the body from the earth.”[32] With the skeleton, besides the celt, were a fine bronze dagger, with two rivets for attachments to the handle, which had been of horn, the impression of the grain being quite distinctly perceptible; a small jet bead; and a circular flint. The celt had been, as was evident from the grain of wood still remaining, driven vertically, for about two inches of its length, into a wooden handle.
Fig. 184.
