EARLY MAN the celts (Nos. 8-i box at Winmarleigh, o), is near Fig. 24. — Spear-head Looped in Blade from Piethorne, near Rochdale, i : z. The dagger described above (No. 11), with reported verbally to have been found 'in a Garstang,' v^^hence they were secured. It seems very possible that they form part of the same deposit, and that the latter were retained by those who handed over the former. Otherwise the latter were a distinct deposit, and the tradi- tion of the other discovery clings to them. However that may be, they form from one site a group of implements and weapons of excel- lent quality and exceptional interest, including one of the best spear-heads of the country, a second which is smaller, a dagger, and eight socketed celts, of which seven are ornamented with ribs. The group is shown in Plate V. 5. Bronze Implements from North of THE Sands Several small hoards of bronze implements are recorded from this district. At Kirkhead, near AUithwaite, in the floor of Kirkhead Cave, which has yielded implements of the preceding ages also, were found with some pieces of rude pottery, a fluted earthenware bead, three bronze rings, a bronze pin ' enamelled,' a piece of a fibula, a bronze palstave and spear-head, a large bronze celt ; also a flake of flint, a bone amulet (carved from the head of a human femur), and a quantity of human bones. At Little Urswick also, near Stone Walls, some workmen discovered under a flat stone a deposit which seemingly included several examples of the later bronze work. The record mentions a long spear-head (or possibly a sword), which was deliberately broken ; and near to this four or five ' celts or axes of brass,' which were probably bronze socketed celts, though described as axe-hammers ; also four or five rings. The latter were ' large enough to go over the hand, and had an external eye to them as if for the purpose of being strung.' Some interesting finds of isolated implements or groups are also recorded. Two or three bronze palstaves were ploughed up at Flookburgh ; a bronze celt and armlet have been traced to Furness, and in Cartmel parish several bronze implements there found seem to resemble socketed celts from the description given. A great bronze celt, 9 in. long and 8 in. broad, is recorded as found in the ruins of Gleaston Castle : and the find of two bronze celts from Stainton, near Dalton, was recorded in the newspapers of 1894. A bronze spear-head is reported from Dalton in Furness ; and an implement described as found with the fragments of a cinerary urn at Stainton simulates a spear- head also. A bronze dagger was found at Page Bank, near Leece. 6. Classified List of Localities Flat Celts. — Rixton, Read, Risley (Martin Mere). Palstaves. — Ainsworth, Martin Mere, Southworth, Turton, Winwick, Sharpies, Weeton. 237
