284 



sheep (?), a small piece of bronze, apparently part of an ornament, 

 and a beautifully formed leaf-shaped arrow-point (Plate IV., 

 fig. 3.) 



The circiilar tumulus (No. 18) having been until recently 

 surrounded by woods, had retained nearly its original form and 

 size. On opening it I found it to consist of fine earth firmly 

 consolidated, as though it had been thrown together when 

 thoroughly moistened by water. A heap of ashes and thoroughly 

 burned human bones occupied the usual position at the centre 

 of the tumidus, and on a level with the surrounding surface. 

 One small piece of pottery and two ox teeth were met with, but 

 not one piece of flint or metal. 



It will be observed that in every case now described these 

 circular tumuli have been made over interments preceded by 

 cremation, — that the ashes of the dead were unprotected by 

 urns, — that metal has rarely been met with, bronze in two cases, 

 and iron* in two also, — and that in three instances flint imple- 

 ments (Plate IV., figs. 1, 2, and 3) have been deposited near the 

 remains of the departed. 



The fine tumulus (No. 19) which stands on the brow of the 

 hill above the village of The Hyde, and which was visited by 

 the Club in May, 1869, is probably of a much later age than 

 the circular tumuli which have just been mentioned. From the 

 dimensions given in the table at page 278, it will be seen that 

 it difiers in its external form from the oval tumifli Nos. 1 to 7. 

 It was opened in the year 1848 by the occui^ier of the field in 

 which it stands, and was found to contain " a space inclosed by 

 large unhewn stones," and in this chamber lay burned bones 

 and ashes, and a bronze fibula of a Roman type. 



The ne^rt relics of the early occupants of our hills to be 

 described are the remains of their defensive works. A good 

 example of one of these is still traceable in a copse one mile 



* I am indebted to Professor Church for an examination of specimens of iron 

 found in circular tumuli and in pit-dwellings. The former are natural iron- 

 stones, and may have been used for sliug-stones ; the latter are artificial iron- 

 slags. Iron, both in the form of ore and in the condition of slag, occurs 

 scattered in the surface-soil of the Cotteswolds. In some localities, as near 

 Avening, it occurs in considerable quantity. 



