A HISTORY OF LEICESTERSHIRE ridge of sand adjoining Barkby Field, are illustrated by Nichols, 28 * who also gives sketches of a series from the neighbouring Queniborough Field, at a point west of the village and 500 yards from the junction of the roads. One urn, ornamented like those used to contain human ashes, is included, and it is said to hold about ^ quarts, the maximum diameter being 8 in. and the mouth 6| in. across, but nothing is stated as to the contents. Another of coarse ware, with rounded base and vertical sides, is similar to specimens from Rothley already noticed : it held a quarter of a pint only. There were also three bronze bowls much damaged, one with bosses round the flat rim and another with triangular ears projecting from the top, pierced for attaching a handle ; both are well-known Anglo-Saxon forms, but the presence of a small glass jug, possibly of Roman manufacture, is quite unusual. A shield-boss of common form, portion of a long broad sword-blade, lance-head, buckles, and a frag- ment of cloth complete the list, and all came from a bed of dry sand below the surface at a spot on (or near) which there once existed a long rampart running north and south, possibly the side of a camp. Nearly four miles up the same valley is Sysonby, where in 1859 some human bones, with spear-heads and shield-boss, bronze ring and buckle, were found by labourers on the ground of Mr. Wright, near Melton Mowbray. These remains were presented in 1859 to the Bede House Museum at Melton Mowbray, but there is nothing further known of the discovery, except that there were no grave-mounds marking the site. 29 A lance-head from this find measures about 13 in., and has a split socket of unusual length in proportion to the blade, which is leaf-shaped. Interesting discoveries have been made from time to time upon high ground to the north of Melton Mowbray, where gravel is dug and the under- lying clay used in brick-making. In 1860 a number of human skeletons were met with at a depth of 2 to 3 ft. resting on the gravel, some with stones placed as pillows under the heads. The bodies had been placed in rows 3 to 4 ft. apart, and one at least had the head at the west end of the grave. Spear-heads, beads, a knife, and some pottery were found, indicating burials of both sexes, and one skull was isolated a not unfrequent occurrence in cemeteries of the period. Two years later seven skeletons were carefully uncovered on this site, and were observed to be 2 ft. from the surface, with the head to the west ; but no relics were discovered on this occasion. In 1866 more productive discoveries were made by Mr. Fetch's workmen, and Mr. Ingram's report 30 supplemented by a paper 81 by Mr. North. The skeletons lay as before, and one was that of a warrior who had been buried with a spear at his right side, the blade and socket measuring together 22| in. A knife was found close by the ribs on the right side, and upon the middle of the body had been laid a shield, the iron rivets, brace, and boss of which alone remained. In other graves, not specified precisely, were found a second shield-boss and spear-heads of various lengths, also two urns, the larger of which was 5! in. high with a maximum diameter of 6j in. This was found within a grave, and cannot therefore be regarded as a cinerary urn. One 181 Hist, of Leu. i, App. p. 136, pi. 50. " Journ. Brit. Arch. Assoc. xvi, 311; Lac. Trans, iii, 39. 30 Leu. Trans. ii, 94. 31 Ibid, iii, 118 ; see also pp. 245, 333, 344, 392 ; and Arch. Journ. xxiii, 301 ; Proc. So(. Antiq. (New Ser.), iii, 346. 232
