DORSET-FOUND CELTIC AND ROMAN BRONZE OBJECTS. 



No. of 

 Cue. 



No. of 

 Object. 



xiii. a. 



Br. 3. 



Locality, &c. 



jYftjr Ahuhlox Barrow, Bere Regis. 



This wedge-shaped celt from its deeply 

 pitted surface seems to be very old. Un- 

 fortunately the finder damaged it by filing. 

 4iin. long. 



The simple wedge - shaped celt was 

 repeatedly improved. It must have been 

 difficult to fasten it to a shaft, lance wise, 

 or to an angular, elbowed handle, axewise, 

 firmly. With all the binding with small 

 thongs of hide or with sinews, it would in 

 time split the handle, and would also get 

 loose sideways. To prevent the latter the 

 celt was furnished with flanges, two at 

 each edge of the upper part, or with 

 triangular projections, or short flanges, 

 near the middle of its length. This kept it 

 from getting loose sideways. Then the 

 other evil, the risk of splitting, was pre- 

 vented by adding a ridge or shoulder on 

 each side, joining the flanges. A slotted 

 handle, of either lance or axe sort, 

 carefully fitted on to such a celt, or 

 palstave as it is called, and well lashed 

 round, would be quite firm. And all 

 chance of its dropping out was prevented 

 by adding an ear or ring, through 

 which part of the lashing was passed. 

 The Dorset collection here does not 

 contain specimens of the first two of the 

 improved sorts, the flanged and the winged 

 celts, but some from other parts are in 

 Case xvii. 



How procured. 



With the 



General 



Collection. 



