208 Stonehenge and Us Barrows. 



in pattern and design/' No. 156, a fine bell-shaped barrow, lOi 

 feet in base diameter, and 10 feet in height, contained within a very- 

 shallow cist, the remains of a skeleton, and a deposit of various 

 elegant little trinkets, the most remarkable of which are two gold 

 beads (engraved in plate xxv.). Besides these beads of amber, 

 jet, and stone, was a beautiful little grajie cup, and at the feet of 

 skeleton, a drinking cup. No. 157 had a prior opening. No. .158 

 called by Stukeley, Bush Barrow, was not opened by him. Mr. 

 Cunnington's attempts were at first unsuccessful, but in 1808, on 

 reaching the floor of the barrow, he and Sir R. Hoare discovered 

 the skeleton of a stout and tall man lying from S. to N., the extreme 

 length of his thigh bone was 20 inches. About 18 inches south of 

 the head, we found several bronze rivets intermixed with wood, and 

 some thin bits of bronze, nearly decomposed. These articles covered 

 a space of 12 inches or more ; it is probable therefore that they were 

 the mouldered remains of a shield. Near the shoulders lay a fine 

 celt (plate xxvi). Near the right arm was a large dagger of bronze, 

 and a speai'-head of the same metal, full 13 inches long, and the 

 largest Sir E,. Hoare had found. A curious article of gold had 

 probably decorated the case of this dagger. The handle of wood 

 belonging to this instrument (engraved in plate xxvii), had been 

 formed, with a labour and exactness almost unaccountable, by 

 thousands of gold rivets smaller than the smallest pin. Beneath 

 the fingers of the right hand lay a lance-head of bronze. Imme- 

 diately over the breast of the skeleton was a large plate of gold in 

 the form of a lozenge, measuring 7 inches by 6. It was fixed to a 

 thin piece of wood, over the edges of which the gold was lapped : 

 it is perforated at top and bottom, for the purpose, probably, of 

 fastening it to the dress as a breast-plate. The even surface of this 

 noble ornament is relieved by indented lines, chequers, and zig-zags, 

 following the shape of the outline, and forming lozenge within 

 lozenge, diminishing gradually towards the centre. On the right 

 side of the skeleton, was a very curious perforated stone, with some 

 wrought articles of bone, many small rings of the same material, 

 and another article of gold. No, 159 had been opened by Lord 

 Pembroke or Dr. Stukeley. No. 160 produced within a small 



