176 Sionehenge and its Barrows. 



except one which is left blank on both sides, were found with a 

 burnt intermentj accompanied by a small bronze blade, at Lake, 

 near Stonehenge. Sir Richard Hoare supposed that they were in- 

 tended, Hke the talus or tesertx, for some kind of game, or for casting 

 lots. They are engraved in plate xxxi. Ancient Wilts, i. In bar- 

 row No. 9 of the Wilsford group was a ''rude ring of bone ^' with 

 an " ivory pin " and a small bronze celt. 



The objects of bronze from the Wiltshire barrows very much ex- 

 ceed in number the objects of stone ; those found by Hoare, as shown 

 in the table here given, being twice as numerous : — 



Objects of Bronze. 



Total 29 79 108 



Neither Sir R. Hoare, nor explorers of the Wiltshire barrows 

 subsequent to him, have found in them objects of iron which can be 

 classed as pre-Roman. The statement, a quarter of a century ago, 

 by Dr. S. Birch, F.S.A., that "the evidence of the tumuli and kist- 

 vaens goes far to prove the excessive rarity of iron among the Celts 



'Sir Richard Hoare remarks "that bronze celts differ in their construction 

 and their antiquity," and adds, " I must give the priority of age to those dis- 

 covered in our barrows." — Ancient Wilts, i., 203, note. " They may," says 

 Dr. Thurnam. " have served various purposes, and according to the form of 

 handle and the method by which it was attached, have been axes, chisels, or 

 even hoes." 



