locality as a cemetery through a considerable range of time. The urn and glass vessel placed before the meeting, afforded excellent specimens of Saxon manufacture. To the experienced eye, they presented as distinctive an impress of the character and style of the times to which they belonged, as the more classic shapes of Greek or Roman fabric. Mr. Smith added, that the chalky mould having been extracted from the urn, the remains of a brass rim, apparently belonging to a small bag or leathern purse, had been found near the bottom.
Dr. Pettigrew gave an interesting description of the bones found in the various barrows, and remarked that the articles accompanying them in the graves were such as would be likely to be deposited by the friends of the respective deceased. Thus with the skeleton of a child were noticed beads, necklaces, and toys, the evident offerings of parental affection; with that of the hunter or warrior lay the knife and spear. The state of the teeth in all the barrows, with the exception of those of the child, indicated that the people had lived chiefly on grain and roots. Dr. Pettigrew, in alluding to a skeleton found in the mound above one of the graves, stated that from a close observation of the bones, it was his opinion that the interment was quite of recent date, the skeleton could not in fact have been deposited fifty years.
Professor Buckland compared the barrows on Breach Downs and in Bourne paddock with tumuli in various parts of England. Having read extracts from Mr. Wright's report of the examination of some of the barrows in Bourne paddock. Dr. Buckland proceeded to describe the appearances presented during the exploration on the present occasion, particularly with respect to the state of the bones, which he considered as no proof of age, having noticed the bones of Roman skeletons in several instances quite as perfect as those in the skeleton from the mound spoken of by Dr. Pettigrew[1].
The Rev. Stephen Isaacson read an account of the discovery of Roman urns, and other remains, at Dymchurch, in the spring of 1844. The paper was illustrated by forty-five sketches, and by an exhibition of specimens of the various objects discovered.
Mr. C. R. Smith remarked that Mr. Isaacson's discoveries were extremely interesting, and topographically important, as they disproved the notion that in the time of the Romans Dymchurch and the surrounding low grounds had been covered by the sea.
Mr. John Sydenham read a paper on the "Kimmeridge Coal Money," illustrated by an exhibition of a large collection of specimens of every variety. These remarkable remains of antiquity are extensively found in a secluded valley district of Purbeck. They are made of bituminous shale, and from their fragile texture could never have been used as money. The
- ↑ Mr. Hall, of Blandford, who was present at this discussion, observes that he has in numerous instances disinterred similar skeletons from the tops of barrows, under circumstances which decided their high antiquity.
