283 



In Gatcombe Woods, a small mound, occupying nearly the 

 hio-hest spot of the hill, was found on examination to be formed 

 of'stones, the weathered edges of which attested that they had 

 long lain exposed on the surface before they were thus heaped 

 together. Underneath these protecting blocks of stone lay, at 

 the centre of the mound, very small pieces of pottery, burned 

 bones, and one thin sharp-edged worked flint. The calcined 

 bones were of small size, and amongst them lay a tooth which 

 a competent authority has decided to be "a left central mcisor 

 of the permanent set from a child not more than four years old.' 

 The mound was very carefully searched for other rehcs, but 

 beyond traces of charcoal on the original surface nothing else 

 was met with. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that this 

 tumulus was raised in honour of a mere child. 



The circular tumulus (No. 9) occupied a field near the Wind- 

 mill on Minchinhampton Common. Two years ago the occupier 

 of this place dreamed that this tump contained a crock of gold, 

 and set workmen to dig into it. His reward was to find that 

 the central position consisted of fine mould, but the only treasure 

 found was an iron ring and a few fragments of bronze. 

 Professor Church has kindly analysed this bronze, and states 

 that "it consisted originally of an aUoy of copper, with a good 

 percentage of tin, a very little zinc, a trace of iron, and no lead 

 It is thoroughly corroded into sub-oxide and green carbonate ot 

 copper. It is certainly ancient and unlike in composition any 

 of the Eomano-British mixed metals which I have examined from 

 Gloucestershire." 



On the hill above Hyde a circular tumulus (No. 10) had been 

 ploughed down all except 30 inches. On opening the centre of 

 this,°I found stones thrown together protecting a layer of grey 

 coloured tempered earth, eight inches in depth; beneath this 

 was a circular excavation in the original soil, 5 feet in diameter 

 and 10 inches in depth. The sides of this hole were protected 

 by stones placed on edge around it, and it was filled with earth 

 burned to the consistency of brick, and this contained fragments 

 of burned human bones. On the upper surface of the grey 

 deposit lay charcoal, rude pottery, pebbles, unburned bones of 



