16 Notes on the Opening of a Bronze Age Barroi" at Manton. 



amber. ^ In other instances somewhat similar pendants have 

 been been found singly- : these pendants have been described 

 as "ear-rings," but it is at least equally probable that 

 they were worn round the neck or on the breast, or even on the 

 forehead, and that their form may be symbolical — possil)ly of Sun 

 worship. They have been so rarely met with, and then always 

 with interments of evident wealth and importance, that it seems 

 not unreasonable to suggest that they may have been symbolical 

 badges of some sort. 



The "lancet" (No. 6) is perhaps the most interesting and unusual 

 of all the Manton barrow finds. The only thing at all similar to 

 it of wliicli there seems to be any record came from the same 

 barrow as the pendants in the Museum at Devizes referred to 

 above, and is also in that Museum.'' In this case the small bronze 

 blade is let into a piece of dark amber, which is bound round with, 

 four fillets of gold. These curious little cutting instruments may 

 have been used in a ceremonial rite of some kind, or be symbolical 

 of one so used. It is a curious coincidence that these two " lancets " 

 should liave been found with nearly identical pendants of gold and 

 amber. It would be intensely interesting, and perhaps throw a 

 flood of light on the culture and beliefs of the Bronze Age, could 

 we but read the riddle of these things aright. 



Tlie constant occurrence of the number three is interesting : on 

 the disc No. 5 the concentric circles are divisible by three, the lines 

 on the bands of ornament on the spherical bead are in threes, as 

 are also those on the gold-handled lancet ; there were three beads 

 of difterent colours and materials placed certainly not without 

 some distinct intention at the feet of the skeleton, and together 

 with these were the three bronze awls — differing and yet alike in 

 their general character. 



' Archaologia, XLIII., p. 526, note e. 



^ Ancient Wilts, p. 202, pi. XXV., No. 156. Il)id. barrow 155. Proceedings 

 of Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. XXI. (1886-7), p. 316. Alsc 

 Catalogue of National Museum at Edinburgh, E. Q. 198, 200. 



•' Stourhead Cat., No. 137. Ancient Wilts, p. 201. 



