Fig. 228.—Whetstone. One-ninth real size.
Fig. 229. Golden-bronze Pin. Full size.
The most interesting “find” was a bronze pin ([fig. 229]), very sharp at point, the superior portion of the acus ornamented with a row of circular indentations, and the flattened head pierced with a round hole, through which passed a thin golden-bronze loop, of material so fragile that it crumbled away when touched. The pin itself was covered with a thick coating of “patina” and boggy sediment, which at once scaled off; it is composed of early and pure bronze called “golden,” from its resemblance to the precious metal, and it is of the type of those found in the ancient Emania destroyed in the third century. There were no traces of either bones or pottery; as the probable level, on which they might be expected to rest, was not reached.
COUNTY ROSCOMMON.
Twelve crannogs were discovered in this county during the working of the Commission for the Arterial Drainage of Ireland: these sites have all been identified.
Loughlea.—A flint mass, a piece of a circular grindstone, a fragment of a bone spike, two portions of the blades of iron swords, and an antique-shaped iron key, were here brought to light. There were three crannog sites in this lake.[249]
Muckenagh.—Ante, p. [154].