12 SIE JOHN EVA.KS THE BRONZE AGE. 



Egyptian origin, but was imported from some place further east. 

 This is, in all probability, the first bronze weapon to which an 

 approximately exact date can be assigned. I have also in my 

 possession a flat axe which bears the same name. Even in 

 Mesopotamia, where not improbably this spear-head was made, 

 the method of coring could not at that time have been known, 

 and the socket has been made by bending over a flat plate. The 

 socket having been made in this manner and the blade cast, 

 the two were laid in position in a mould, and hot metal was poured 

 in till the joint was made fast. That they were acquainted with 

 the art of burning bronze to bronze in Ireland at a very early date 

 is proved by the fact that swords have been discovered with a 

 small portion of the blade burnt on to the hilt. 



The subject of which I have treated represents a long and im- 

 portant phase in the progress of human civilization, the various 

 instruments discovered affording a most complete record of the 

 mode of life of those who made them. 



Even supposing that the chronology of the Bronze Age is in 

 some degree speculative, I trust the slight sketch I have given of 

 the habits, methods of life, and personal equipment of those who 

 occupied our country from 2000 to 3000 years ago has not been 

 devoid of some general interest. 



explanatiojS" of the plates. 



PLATE I. 



1. Plain Celt. 4. Palstave -with side loop. 



2. Flanged Celt. 5. Socketed Celt. 



3. Palstave without side loop. 



PLATE II. 



6. Tanged Chisel from Wallingford. 10. Knife with socket. 



7. Socketed Chisel from Durham. 11. Knife with flat tang. 



8. Socketed Gouge. 12. Razor from Walliugford. 



9. Hammer from the Isle of Harty. 13. Socketed Sickle from the Thames. 



PLATE III. 



14. Knife -dagger from a Yorkshire 16. Sword from the Thames. 



Barrow. 17. Spear-head with rivet-holes. 



15. Knife-dagger from a Wiltshire 18. Spear-head with loops. 



Barrow. 



