(1.) Rock Crystal.—A conical piece of rock-crystal, evidently ground down to its present shape. The diameter of base is 1⁄16 less than an inch, and the perpendicular height is 3⁄4 of an inch. The base is not quite flat, but slightly convex, as will be seen from the annexed outline (Fig. 261). It scratches glass, but is scratched by a diamond, and depolarises a ray of light. Its specific gravity is 2·64.
(2.) A Leaden Spindle-Whorl.—A small bead-shaped portion of lead perforated with a round hole is supposed to be a spindle-whorl. Its diameter is 3⁄4 of an inch.
(3.) Bronze Ornament.—This consists of a small semi-globular-shaped cup, 3⁄4 of an inch in diameter, to which is attached a triangular-shaped handle-like projection, 3⁄4 of an inch long (Fig. 262).
Fig. 262.—Bronze Ornament (1⁄1).
Fig. 263.—Amber-coloured Glass Bead (1⁄1).
(4.) Glass Bead.—This is a smooth, amber-coloured bead, variegated with a yellowish slag, and measuring 3⁄4 inch in diameter, and 7⁄10 of an inch deep (Fig. 263).
(5.) Bronze Ring.—A small slender ring of bronze, of the size of a finger-ring. It is penannular (but the ends are close, and might have been broken), and is 3⁄4-inch in diameter.
(6.) Jet Pendant.—This is made of a circular piece of polished jet or cannel coal, rather less than 11⁄2 inch in diameter, and 1⁄4 inch thick, which is perforated by four quadrant-like spaces of uniform size and shape, so as to leave the form of a rectangular cross inscribed in a circle. The arms of the cross become a little broader as they approach the circumference, and on one surface they, as well as the circular portion, are ornamented by a row of incised circles, each circle having a small hollow in its centre. An incised line bounds each row of circles on both sides. All these incised lines, circles, and central hollows, were filled by a yellowish kind of enamel. A little projection from the circle, opposite one of the arms of the cross, is perforated transversely to its surface by a small hole for suspension, but it is evident that previous to the making of this hole, it was suspended by means of another hole, which perforated it in an opposite direction, but from which one side was broken off. (Fig. 264.)
Fig. 264.—Jet Ornament (1⁄1).
Dr. Joseph Anderson, to whom I sent this object for inspection, writes thus:—"I have nothing special to say of the jet object sent to-day, except that it seems to be most certainly Christian, and of an early Christian type. It is the first jet thing I have seen, having this Christian relationship, from any of the early inhabited sites in Scotland. The ornament is very peculiar, and the form of the trinket most interesting, as it compares with the form of the cross within a circle found on the stones in Wigtownshire, though it has not the peculiar appendage which marks the Chrisma."[55]
A more complete account of these discoveries will be prepared for the Fourth Volume of the Collections of the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Archæological Association.