The type of the old Celtic cranium is considered by Professor Nillson as intermediate to the lengthened and shortened oval, or the true dolicho-kephalic and brachy-kephalic forms, and in this conclusion Dr. Thurnam coincides. Dr. Morton describes the Celtic head as "rather elongated, and the forehead narrow and but slightly arched; the brow low, straight, and bushy; the eyes and hair light; the nose and mouth large; and the cheek-bones high."[200] Such characteristics differ decidedly from those of the early barrows. Dr. Prichard, however, hesitates to accept the conclusions adopted by Scandinavian ethnologists, attaching it may be too slight importance to the strictly archæological evidence on which they are to some extent based. He remarks in reference to the description of the skulls of the most ancient Scandinavian barrows:—"They are probably the crania of Celtic races; in Denmark of Cimbrians. The tombs containing ornaments of the precious metals are referred to a later age; but it is uncertain as yet whether they belonged to the same race as the former."[201] One marked difference has hitherto existed between the systems of several of the chief continental ethnologists and those of England, which has somewhat influenced the conclusions of each. While continental investigators into the phenomena of various races have set aside the idea of one primitive stock,—some of them even assuming the primal existence of numerous distinct and independent human races,—British ethnologists, with Dr. Prichard at their head, have held fast by the Adamic history, and in maintaining the origin of all the races of man from one pair, have also given its full force to the influence of external circumstances in modifying the physical peculiarities of each race. That the progress of a people in civilisation must be accompanied with a corresponding improvement in their intellectual faculties and also in their physical conformation is now generally admitted. Long time, however, is required even under the most favourable circumstances, for any very decisive modification affecting the form and features of a whole people, so that the sudden intrusion of a foreign race must be no less readily discernible from their crania than from novel arts or sepulchral rites. Nothing has yet been done by Scottish archæologists with a view to ascertain the physical conformation of the primitive native races; and the small contribution now offered as a beginning, is founded on too limited data to be of very great avail, except perhaps in opening up the subject and leading to more extended observation. Fortunately a few skulls from Scottish tumuli and cists are preserved in the Museums of the Scottish Antiquaries and of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society. A comparison of these with the specimens of crania drawn by Dr. Thurnam from examples found in an ancient tumular cemetery at Lamel Hill, near York, believed to be of the Anglo-Saxon period, abundantly proves an essential difference of races.[202] The latter, though belonging to the superior or dolicho-kephalic type, are small, very poorly developed, low and narrow in the forehead, and pyramidal in form. A striking feature of one type of crania from the Scottish barrows is a square compact form. Though full in the middle-head, these are by no means deficient in the forehead; but it will be observed from the first class of examples in the following table of measurements, that they are generally of small relative size,—a fact which has been frequently noted, even by casual observers, when seeing them in situ, and contrasting their dimensions with the disproportionate size of the skeleton. The system of measurement employed in the following table is chiefly that adopted by Dr. Morton in his "Crania Americana," and the terms are used in the sense explained by him under the head "Anatomical Measurements," (p. [249].) From the fractured and very fragile state of many of the skulls, it was impossible to attempt the measurement of their internal capacity by the ingenious process employed by Dr. Morton. The last column in the table is accordingly found by adding the longitudinal and vertical diameters and the horizontal periphery. This is not assumed as affording any test of the actual capacity of each cranium, but only as a fair relative approximation and element of comparison. Owing to the undetermined form of the processes in several of the crania and the imperfection or total absence of the facial bones, from their greatly decayed state, the additional measurements marked * are given as less liable to error. Some of them, such as the inter-mastoid arch and inter-mastoid line, taken from the upper root of the zygomatic process instead of from the points of the mastoid processes, are also, perhaps, preferable as more uniform and precise.[203]
The full value of such investigations, and even their precise bearing and the conclusions legitimately deducible from them, may probably be matter of dispute, but there can be no question that a general distinctive cranial conformation is clearly discoverable in modern nations, and is even very markedly observable between the different races of the British Isles. Given a sufficient number of examples of each class, the experienced eye would at once discriminate between the modern European Fin, Germanic Teuton, and British Celt. The conclusion appears therefore inevitable, that if we find in the ancient tumuli like variations in physical form, systematically reducible to two or more classes, we are justified in assuming the existence of diverse primitive races, and of seeking in the accompanying relics for indications of their peculiar arts and customs, as well as of their relative positions as contemporary or successive occupants of the country.
| No. | CRANIA. | Longitudinal Diameter. | Parietal Diameter. | Frontal Diameter. | Vertical Diameter. | Inter-Mastoid Arch. | * Inter-Mastoid Arch, from Upper Root of Zygomatic Process. | Inter-Mastoid Line. | * Do. from Upper Root of Zygomatic Process. | Occipito-frontal Arch. | * Do. from Occipital Protuberance to Root of Nose. | Horizontal Periphery. | * Relative Capacity. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i. | Mexican, | 6.8 | 5.5 | 4.6 | 6. | 15.6 | ... | 4.4 | ... | 14.6 | ... | 19.9 | 32.5 | |
| ii. | " | 6.4 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 14.6 | ... | 4.5 | ... | 13.5 | ... | 20.2 | 31.10 | |
| Primitive Dolicho-kephalic, or Kumbe-kephalic. | 1. | Cist, Aberdeenshire, | 7. | 5.4½? | 4.9? | 4.10 | 13.11 | 11.5 | 3.6½ | 4.8½ | 13.9 | 12. | 20.4 | 32.2 |
| 2. | " Fifeshire, | 7. | 4.8 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 13.2 | 11. | 4.1 | 4.10 | 14. | 11.11 | 19.6 | 31.9 | |
| 3. | " Cockenzie, East-Lothian, | 6.11 | 5.3 | 3.11 | 5. | ... | 12. | ... | 4.8½ | 14.4 | 11.4 | 19. | 30.11 | |
| 4. | " " | 7. | 4.11 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 13.8 | 11.4½ | 4.1 | 4.10 | 13.10 | 11.3 | 16.7½ | 28.10½ | |
| 5. | " " | 6.6 | 4.1? | 4.11 | 4.2? | 13.2 | 11.3 | ... | 4.8? | 13.11 | 12. | 19. | 29.6 | |
| 6. | " Stonelaws, East-Lothian, | 7.3 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 14.3 | 11.9 | 4.4 | 5.0½ | 14.8 | 12.3 | 20.8½ | 33.1½ | |
| 7. | Cairn, Fifeshire, | 7.5 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 14.3 | 12. | 3.7 | 4.10½ | 14.3 | 12.3 | 20.7½ | 33.2½ | |
| 8. | Tumulus, Newbattle, | 7.9 | 5.6 | 4.9 | ... | ... | 12.3 | ... | 5.6 | 15.6 | ... | 21.3 | ... | |
| 9. | " Montrose, | 7.3 | 5.8 | 4.3½ | 4.9 | 14. | 11.9 | 3.8½ | 5. | 14.2 | 11.9 | 20.7 | 32.7 | |
| Brachy-kephalic. | 10. | Cist, Montrose, | 7. | 6.1 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 15.9 | 13.1 | 4.4 | 5.9½ | 15.2 | 13.3 | 21. | 33.8 |
| 11. | Moss, Kilsyth, | ... | 5.7½? | 4.4 | 5.5 | 14.6? | 12.2? | 4.1 | ... | ... | ... | 21.? | ... | |
| 12. | " Linton, | 6.6 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 13.5 | 11.3 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 13.6 | 11.9 | 18.7½ | 29.10½ | |
| 13. | " " | 6.7 | 5. | 4.1 | 4.11 | 13.4 | 11.3 | 3.10 | 4.6 | 13.8 | 11.10 | 19.7 | 31.1 | |
| 14. | Cist, Ratho, | 6.10 | 6. | 5.1 | 5.6 | 15.7 | 12.11 | 4.2 | 5.7 | 14.11 | 13. | 20. | 32.4 | |
| 15. | " Linlithgow, | 7.2? | 5.6 | 4.9 | ... | 14.10 | 12.7 | 4.6 | 5.5 | ... | ... | 20.6 | ... | |
| 16. | Roman Shaft, Roxburghshire, | 7.3 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 14.7½ | 12. | 5.3½ | 5.6 | 14.4 | 12.9 | 20.6 | 33.1 | |
| Celtic. | 17. | Tarbert, Kintyre, | 7.9 | 5. | 4.10 | 5.6 | 14.9 | 11.11 | 4. | 5.4 | 15.5 | 13.6 | 21.3 | 34.6 |
| 18. | Sea-Shore, Argyleshire, | 7.6 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 14.8 | 11.3 | 3.11 | 5.3 | 14.6 | 12.11 | 20.4 | 32.11½ | |
| 19. | Harris, Hebrides, | 7.3 | 5.3 | 4.5 | 5.4½ | 14.5 | 12.4 | 3.11½ | 4.9 | 14.9 | 12.9 | 20.10 | 33.5½ | |
| 20. | Iona, " | 7.5 | 5.6½ | 5.0½ | 5.6 | 14.11½ | 12.3 | 4. | ... | 14.9 | 12.6 | 20.10 | 33.9 | |
| 21. | " " | 7.3 | 5.6½ | 4.4 | 5.6 | 14.8 | 12. | 4.1 | 5.3 | 14.5 | 12.10 | 20.2 | 32.11 | |
| 22. | " " | 7.2 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 14.9 | 11.10 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 14.4 | 12.6 | 20. | 32.8 | |
| 23. | " " | 7.3½ | 5.7 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 15.? | 12.4? | ... | ... | 14.8 | 12.6½ | 19.10½ | 32.4 | |
| 24. | " " | 7.2 | 5.5 | 4.6 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 12.10 | 20.7 | ... | |
| 25. | Knockstanger, Caithness, | 7.8 | 5.6 | 4.3½ | 5.3 | 14.4 | 11.8 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 14.6 | 12.7 | 20.11 | 33.10 | |
| 26. | Inch Columb Kill, Ireland, | 7.9 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 15.7 | 13.3 | 4.0½ | 5.4 | 16.4 | 14.4 | 21.11 | 35.2 | |
| 27. | Celtic Type (?) Edin. Phrenol. Museum, | 7.11 | 5.5 | 4.9 | ... | ... | 12. | ... | 5.1 | 15.5 | 13.9 | 21.6 | ... | |
| Medieval. | 28. | Tumular Cemetery, North Berwick, | 7.6½ | 5.9 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 15.2 | 12.3 | 3.11 | 5.2 | 15. | 12.3 | 21.5 | 34.5½ |
| 29. | " " | 7. | 5.7 | 4.0½ | 4.8 | 13.8 | 11.4 | 3.6 | 4.9 | ... | 12.3 | 19.9 | 31.5 | |
| 30. | " " | 7.3½ | 5.10 | 4.11 | 5.7 | 15.5 | 12.3 | ... | 5.9 | 15. | 13. | 21.7 | 34.5½ | |
| 31. | Castle Bank, Edinburgh, | 7.6 | 5.4 | 4.11 | ... | 14.3 | 12. | 4.3 | 5.5 | ... | 12.6 | 20.1 | ... | |
| 32. | Flodden Wall, Edinburgh, | 7.6 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 14.6 | 12.2 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 15.6 | ... | 20.11 | 33.7 | |
| 33. | Old St. Giles's, Edinburgh, | 7.3 | 5.6 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 14. | 11.9 | 4.2½ | 5.5 | 14.4 | 12. | 20.2½ | 32.6½ | |
| 34. | " " | 7.6 | 5.6 | 4.7 | ... | 14.7 | 12. | 4.1½ | 5.1 | 15. | 12.10 | 20.8 | ... | |
| 35. | " " | 6.11½ | 5.6 | 4.4 | 5. | 14.5 | 12. | 3.7½ | 4.9 | 14. | 11.9 | 19.10 | 31.9½ | |
| 36. | " " | 6.6 | 5.3 | 4.2 | 4.11 | 13.3 | 11.3 | 3.10½ | 4.10 | 13.3 | 11. | 18.7 | 30. | |
| 37. | " " | 6.11 | 5.9 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 15.2 | 12. | 4. | 5.7 | 14. | 12.2 | 20.5 | 32.5 | |
| 38. | " " | 7.3 | 5.7 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 14.7 | 12.1 | 4. | 5. | 14.7 | 12.7 | 20.2 | 32.9 | |
| 39. | Constitution Street, Leith, | 7. | 5.9 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 14.6 | 12.5 | 3.10½ | 5.0½ | 14.3 | 12.5 | 20.3 | 32.6 | |
There is no primitive race known to us which seems so fit to be selected as a type and standard of comparison in relation to cranial development, as the Aztecs or ancient Mexicans. They were the last dominant race among numerous native tribes, who, progressing from the rudimentary Stone Period, were excluded from influences such as those which in Europe superseded the ages of stone and bronze by the more perfect arts of civilisation. These changes archæologists are now agreed in associating with the introduction of iron. But if in this latter point also the parallel be admissible, then we must less conceive of the more perfect arts of civilisation being superinduced on those of the Archaic Period, than of the Allophylian nations being themselves superseded. More extended observations on the physical characteristics of these races will probably, to a great extent, determine this. Two skulls selected from Morton's Crania Americana are placed at the head of the table, and will afford a very satisfactory comparative estimate of the cranial capacity of the races of the Scottish tumuli. No. i. is figured in Plate XVII. of Dr. Morton's valuable work, from which it will be seen that it decidedly belongs to the Brachy-kephalic class of Retzius, which again nearly corresponds with the pyramidal division of Dr. Prichard. It is thus described by Dr. Morton:—"With a better forehead than is usual, this skull presents all the prominent characters of the American race—the prominent face, elevated vertex, vertical occiput, and the great swell from the temporal bones upward." No. ii. is figured in Plate XVIII. of the same work, and closely corresponds to it in type. It is described as "a remarkably well characterized Toltecan head from an ancient tomb near the city of Mexico, whence it was exhumed, with a great variety of antiques, vessels, masks, ornaments," &c. These, therefore, afford a fair comparative criterion of the capacity of the tumuli builders of Britain for the practice of arts analogous to those in which the later American races so greatly excelled at the epoch of the Spanish Conquest; and it will be seen that the comparison is, upon the whole, in favour of the superior intelligence of the British Brachy-kephalic race, as indicated by the cerebral mass and frontal development. No. 1. is an exceedingly interesting example of a skull of the Stone Period, in the Antiquarian Museum. It was found in 1822 in a rude cist in the parish of Banchory-Devenich, Aberdeenshire. On the top of the head is a hole nearly circular, rather more than an inch in diameter, which there can scarcely be a doubt was caused by the death-blow. In each corner of the cist lay a small pile of flint flakes.—No. 2 was taken from one of thirty cists found near Fifeness, in 1826, and described in a previous chapter.—Nos. 3, 4, and 5 were obtained from a group of rude cists discovered in the neighbourhood of Cockenzie, East-Lothian, in 1840. Nos. 3 and 4, as well as the two previous examples, are in the Museum of the Scottish Antiquaries. No. 5 has been obtained from J. M. Mitchell, Esq., who was present when the graves at Cockenzie were opened, and is here figured as a characteristic example of the class. No relics were found along with these remains, but the cists were of the primitive circumscribed dimensions, and presented the rudest characteristics of early sepulture.—No. 6 is a skull in the Edinburgh Phrenological Museum found on the farm of Stonelaws, East-Lothian, where a number of rude primitive cists have been exposed in the course of agricultural operations. Some of these lie east and west, with the heads at the west end, according to Christian practice, but others are irregularly laid; and the example here noted was found with the head at the east end of the grave.—No. 7 was obtained from a cist discovered under a large cairn at Nether Urquhart, Fifeshire, in 1835. An account of the opening of several cairns and tumuli in the same district is given by Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, in his "Inquiry respecting the Site of the Battle of Mons Grampius."[204] Some of them contained urns and burnt bones, ornaments of jet and shale, and the like early relics, while in others were found implements or weapons of iron. It is selected here as another example of the same class of crania.—No. 8 was found in a cist under a tumulus opened at Newbattle, East-Lothian, in 1782. This, there can be little doubt, was the large encircled tumulus in the immediate vicinity of the Abbey, which was found to cover a cist nearly seven feet long. The cranium is well proportioned and of unusually large dimensions, and probably pertained to a chief of gigantic stature.—No. 9 is from a tumulus at Montrose. The whole of these, more or less, nearly agree with the lengthened oval form described by Professor Nillson as the second race of the Scandinavian tumuli. They have mostly a singularly narrow and elongated occiput; and with their comparatively low and narrow forehead, might not inaptly be described by the familiar term boat-shaped. It is probable that further investigation will establish this as the type of a primitive, if not of the primeval native race. Though they approach in form to a superior type, falling under the first or Dolicho-kephalic class of Professor Retzius' arrangement, their capacity is generally small, and their development, for the most part, poor; so that there is nothing in their cranial characteristics inconsistent with such evidence as seems to assign to them the rude arts and extremely limited knowledge of the British Stone Period.
No. 5. Cockenzie Cist.
