NOTE ON A BRONZE CELT RECENTLY FOUND IN HOLDERNESS. 53 
the type known as the “socketed” celt, and is cast in bronze. 
There is a hole at the upper end for the insertion of a wooden 
handle, and a thong was fastened through the small “lug” and 
round the handle. ‘The celt is ornamented on each side by three 
ridges—as shewn in the sketch. Its most interesting feature, 
however, is the fine smooth coating of patina with which it is 
covered, and gives it the appearance of having been enamelled. 
This specimen is now in my possession. 
The notice taken of this find by the local press at the time was 
the means of bringing further specimens to light, some of which 
we had an opportunity of examining. None of them, however, 
were in such a good state of preservation as the Burstwick 
specimen ; and in some instances the patina had been most 
assiduously scraped from the bronze, thus reducing the value of 
the specimens by about one half ! 
Two or three hordes of implements have been found in 
Holderness. “In a bank forming part of some extensive 
earthworks in this township [South Skirlaugh], a large quantity of 
celts, spear-heads, sword-blades, etc., of a mixed metal like brass, 
were discovered in 1809.”* I understand there are some bronze 
sword-blades in the York Museum, which may be from this horde, 
and there is a socketed celt in the Hull Museum labelled ‘‘Skirlaugh.” 
Mr. Mortimer informs me that in 1852 no less than thirty-five 
bronze celts were found together at Sproatley ; with one exception, 
all were of the socketed type, with a small lug. Some of these 
were bought for a museum at Pocklington. The Rev. Canon 
Greenwell, F.k.S., informs me that he has ten from this horde. 
Mr. Cawkell, of Hull, has other three, which I have had an 
opportunity of examining. ‘Two are socketed, and the other is of 
a different type; it has two grooves, one on each side, along 
which the split haft fitted. There is also a small ‘‘lug” to secure it 
to the haft ; this specimen was sent to Leeds, and whilst there one 
end was filed off in order to test its genuineness! Another find 
of a similar kind was made at Lowthorpe in 1843, when twelve 
bronze celts and two portions of a large sword were obtained 
whilst digging a drain. 
A bronze celt has been found at Brandesburton Barf, and 
Mr. Mortimer has recently acquired a fine one from Nafferton, 
and also a “winged” celt from the same place. ‘The 
Rey. Canon Maddock, M.aA., F.G.S., possesses one which was dug 
up in the brick pits at Winestead. Dr. Evans describes one as 
having been found at Skipsea Brough.t A similar specimen was 
* Sheahan and Whellan’s ‘‘ History and Topography of the City of York,” 
etc., 1856, vol. ii., p. 393. 
+ “‘ Hull Quarterly,” 1885, p. 61. 
