EARLY MAN with low, retreating forehead, and showing considerable constriction behind the orbits. The cephalic index is 73*4, and the general form approaches that termed Neanderthaloid. The fabricating stones above mentioned consist of small slabs of fissile stone, two having circular nicks or depressions in one of their edges, the other having across one surface a transverse groove. The method by which rough splinters of bone or antler could, with the aid of these implements, be worked into the round contour required for needles or skewers is of course obvious. The celt accompanying this find may certainly be considered the most highly-finished example of Stone Age workmanship hitherto found in Rutland, and may be assigned to the later part of the Neolithic Period. Two human skeletons were found near Ketton in 1900 and 1901, and their appearance and mode of sepulture afforded strong grounds for supposing them to represent Neolithic interments. Unfortunately no accurate note was taken of the surrounding facts, nor was any care taken to preserve the remains. No definite statement can therefore be made concerning these finds and their age. The Bronze Age The round-headed Aryan invaders, whose incursion into Britain towards the end of the Neolithic Period marked the commencement of what is known as the Bronze Age, have left traces of their occupation in most parts of the British Isles. Only one find, however, and that a comparatively recent one, has occurred in Rutland. This came to light in 1906 in the ironstone work- ings at Cottesmore and consists of a small hoard — probably a founder's hoard. It includes two socketed celts in fairly perfect condition, and the lower portions of two others ; a spear-head, measuring 5 in. in length in its present condition, though the socket, which is pierced with two rivet-holes, has evidently been an inch or two longer originally ; a narrow socketed chisel ; three gouges, all socketed, and finally a fragment of what has probably been a sword-blade. The presence of the last-named relic suggests that the hoard belongs to the latter part of the Bronze Age, since swords have not been found associated with any remains attributed to the earlier part of this period. Moreover the socketed form of celt is the last link in a chain of evolution traceable in this kind of weapon or implement. The earliest form of the celt is a copy in metal of the stone axe-head of the preceding Neolithic Period. This was gradually improved by the addition of flanges to the edges of the implement, and of a stop-ridge half-way down its length to prevent the splitting of the wooden haft. The metal loop was a further development, its purpose being to facilitate the attachment of the celt to its handle by means of a cord or thong. Both the Cottesmore celts are typical examples with loops and having oval openings to the sockets. The Bronze Age tribes are frequently known as Goide/s, this word being the equivalent of the English form Gaels. They were a Celtic-speaking race and reached our country from the nearest parts of the Continent, probably taking possession of most of our island south of the Clyde and Forth. 83
