48 CINKRARV URNS AND INCENSE CUPS, STANTON MOOR. 



parent. The same custom was in vogue amongst the crema- 

 tionists, for occasionally the burnt bones of adults and children 

 are found intermixed. This would account for the comparative 

 scarcity of "incense cups" compared with urns. But it does 

 not explain why the former should be perforated, or open-sided, 

 or generally of superior workmanship and different shape ; and it 

 is the exception that they should contain bones at all. The 

 most feasible hypothesis is that they were chafing dishes. "The 

 burning of the dead was certainly not practised merely to dispose 

 of the body, but was a custom which had more or less of a 

 religious character about it. The rite, doubtless, was gone 

 through with some degree of form and solemn observance. The 

 application of fire to the body, to a greater or less extent, appears 

 to have been universal, and shows what a deep significancy there 

 was in it with reference to the dead. It is, therefore, not au 

 unnatural supposition that the fire which was to consume the 

 body should be brought to the pile with a certain amount of 

 ceremony, and that it might have been taken there from the 

 place where it had been kindled in accordance with some especial 

 usage. Their size (/.^., the "incense cups") is what we might 

 expect to find in vessels made for the purpose of carrying a piece 

 of ignited touchwood or other suitable material, and the holes 

 and piercing are not ill-adapted for keeping it, by means of a 

 draught, in a state of ignition." * 



1787. — Major Rooke examined a small mound within a so- 

 called " Druids' Circle," and found three cinerary urns, one 

 containing an "incense cup," in a row. He also mentioned that 

 such urns were frequently found on this moor. 



ijgg. — Mr. White Watson of Bakewell, procured several urns 

 from barrows here, one containing an " incense cup." He was 

 informed that three were frequently found together. 



Date (?). — Rev. Bach Thornhill opened several barrows ; all 

 the interments had undergone cremation, and in most cases were 

 inurned. 



* Gieenwell. 



