A bronze spear-head, of very unusual form, discovered in the bed of the Severn, was communicated during the last year by Mr. Allies, Local Secretary of the Institute at Worcester[1]. His vigilance in watching the operations, which have recently brought to light many curious remains from that depository, have enabled him to forward for inspection another bronze weapon of different form. Mr. Allies states that "it was dredged up from the bed of the river Severn by some workmen employed in the improvement of the navigation of that river, about a quarter of a mile below Kempsey Ferry, and the same distance above Pixam Ferry. They also found at the same spot, in the bed of the western side of the river, the remains of oaken piles, under the gravel, and of planking which had been fastened to the piles. These extended about half way across the river. The place is near the site of the Roman camp at Kempsey, described in my Antiquities of Worcestershire." This spear-head is formed of mixed metal of very bright colour, and hard quality, the edges being remarkably sharp. It measures, in length, 1012 inches. The leaf-shaped blade terminates at the lower extremity in two loops, by means of which the spearhead apparently was securely attached to the shaft. This arrangement is not of uncommon occurrence, and it is well shewn by the curious example of a stone mould for casting such weapons, found in Ireland, in Galway, as also by an Irish weapon represented in this Journal[2]. In the present instance there is a flat lozenge-shaped appendage on each side, a variety in the fashion of these weapons apparently intended for the more secure protection of the cord passing through the loops. In some examples a single loop on one side is found to have been accounted sufficient.
We would take this occasion of calling the attention of our readers, who may take an interest in such discoveries, to the valuable information which may result from watchful precaution for securing the ancient remains almost invariably found in the removal of the bed of a river, or any similar operation. The profusion of curious objects discovered in dredging in the Thames is well known, and the extensive collection formed by Dr. Hume, consisting of objects of every period found in the alluvial soil at Hoylake, near the mouth of the Dee, and exhibited at the meeting of the Institute at York, afforded a striking evidence of the importance of such depositories.
The bead here represented, is in the possession of Mr. Orlando Jewitt, Headington, Oxford, and, it is believed, was found in that neighbourhood. It was exhibited with the following notice: "The substance of
- ↑ A representation is given in Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 187.
- ↑ Archæologia, vol. xv. pl. xxxiv. Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 187.
