ROMAN VILLAS DISCOVERED IN DORSET. 221 



Christian era ; and lastly, the " Fibulae," or brooches, found 

 are like the Gaulish brooches of Caesar's time. For all these 

 reasons Dr. Munro, an expert, determines the date of this 

 Lake- Village to synchronize with the date of Caesar's raid. The 

 discoveries here are, therefore, of the highest importance in 

 estimating the civilisation of the Briton at the time of the 

 Roman conquest. 



The accurate manner in which the squared logs were 

 morticed together, to which our attention was drawn by 

 Mr. Bulleid on the occasion of the D.F.C.'s visit, are most 

 remarkable, and show a great knowledge of carpentry. The 

 bronze " Fibulae " show their knowledge of metal-work. 

 Nor are these altogether devoid of ornament. Personal 

 ornaments, too, are not wanting. But particular notice 

 should be taken of the weaving combs which have been 

 found in large numbers, made chiefly of red-deer antler, 

 these proving without a doubt the knowledge of the art of 

 weaving. Many fragments of frame-work, also, have been 

 found, which presumably have formed parts of a loom ; so 

 that we may consider the knowledge of weaving proved, 

 although, from the nature of the case, no product of the loom 

 has survived. 



Another interesting find at Glastonbury is a lathe-turned 

 wheel- hub. This, taken in connection with the skill shewn 

 in morticing, proves the early Britons to have been not 

 unskilled in carpentry and the allied arts and crafts. 



Then as to their milling. We know they were agricul- 

 turists (British corn was exported to the Rhine valley in the 

 4th century) and grew corn, so it is natural to enquire how 

 they ground it. Now sundry Querns have been discovered 

 in various parts of the county ; one pair, from Portland, may 

 any day be seen working in the Dorchester Museum ; another, 

 found at White Staunton, is probably Roman ; then the 

 upper part of a Quern was found at Bagber in a British 

 Barrow in company with a coin of Vespasian ; that found 

 at Tyneham is considered to be mediaeval ; but the most 

 convincing evidence of British milling comes from Hod-hill. 



