QN SOME DIGGINGS NEAR BRASSINGTON, DERBYSHIRE. 1 29 



worn, some, indeed, must have been brought down ahnost to the 

 level of the gums. But what is surprising is the small number 

 (only 5 or 6) that show any signs of caries.* 



Some of the leg bones have the peculiar flattening (platycnemism), 

 often observed in skeletons of this era, as well as those of the 

 cave men of an earlier period, and which seems to be due to 

 the greater freedom of the muscles where the feet are untram- 

 melled with rigid soles or sandals. Sections of two are given. 

 Fig. 17 B, C : B is probably 2 inches below the level of the 



^^ 



nutritive foramen, C is more uncertain. A is the section of a 

 normal tibia from " Cave Digging," p. 1 70. The flint implements 

 are well worthy of attention. Leaf-shaped arrow-heads have been 

 frequently found in long barrows,t but never barbed ones ; hence 

 Dr. Thurnam's surmise, that the latter were unknown at this 

 period, has further support. The extreme delicacy and thinness 

 of these weapons (including the Harborough specimens, except 

 the unburnt one, Fig. 10, which is thicker, smaller, and ruder), 

 render it most unlikely that they were made for use. They are 

 usually broken and burnt ; this, coupled with the fact that on the 

 Continent the chambers of this era frequently contain small amber 

 and jet models of implements, make it probable that objects of 

 use to the living were burnt, under the impression that with the 



* This immunity from dental decay is quite usual in long-barrow interments : 

 68 long-barrow skulls from Wiltshire had only two cases of decay ; 24 from 

 the Park Cwm barrow, two cases ; 10 lower jaws from Eyford, Gloucestershire, 

 and 6 lower jaws from Upper Swell, in the same county, had one case each. — 

 British Barrows. 



t One found at Fyfield, Wiltshire, is '85 by 2 inches, and weighs 43 grain^; 

 the Ringham Low specimen is I by 275 inches, and weighs 48 grains. Others 

 have been found in long barrows. at Alton Down, Rodmarton, Walker's Hill, 

 Wetton, &c. 



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