EARLY MAN 



raised ridges. The precise character of some of these ornamental features, 

 which are somewhat complex, will be best understood from the accom- 

 panying drawing. 



The objects contained in the case were of great importance, comprising 

 the ornamental boss from the harness of a horse, and three rings, also asso- 

 ciated with horse accoutrements, of bronze ornamented in dark-red enamel 

 designs of late and rather debased Late Celtic forms. These three rings 

 appear to have been suspended from a strap, or, like the modern terrets, 

 may possibly have been fixed upright into the saddle. In ancient times, as 

 at present, they seem to have been intended as guides and supports for the 

 leather driving reins. The ornamental decoration of these rings or terrets 

 comprises the characteristic curves and returning spirals of Late Celtic art, 

 whilst in the case of the smallest example we have a debased representation 

 of two fishes or dragons placed head to head. 



In addition to the above pieces of horse trappings, or rather harness- 

 furniture, the deposit contained no less than six hollow bronze cylinders 

 about 1 1 in. in length, three of them with the larger end open, and the 

 others having a square aperture. The fourth 

 specimen was found in a damaged condition 

 and containing a mass of iron. The fifth 

 was blocked up with iron, and the sixth 

 seemed to possess no square hole at all. 

 These six objects were probably either the 

 heads of linch-pins or the terminations of 

 the axles of chariot wheels, probably of 

 three different chariots. It is significant 



Bronze Cylinder . . r ..i • ..i_ .. ..i. *u_„~ 



FROM Westhall 1" ^icw of this that there were three 

 different ' terrets ' or harness-rings found. 

 Other objects in the find included some small pieces of bronze, one riveted 

 over another, a small blue glass bead, a corroded brass coin, said to be of 

 Faustina, and a typical Roman lamp of bronze. 



The fact that these objects were found inclosed within a bronze case 

 indicates that they were buried in the earth as a hoard for future use, but 

 it does not preclude the possibility of several of the articles having been 

 obtained from a chariot burial, which was a method of interment in use 

 during the Early Iron Age, as is shown by the remains found in Yorkshire 

 and other parts of England. 



The great Fen district, which extended from the Wash for more than 

 60 miles to the south, was an important physical barrier which tended to 

 isolate almost completely what are now known as Norfolk and Suffolk. This 

 isolation of the eastern counties is illustrated in several ways. We see it, to 

 some extent, reflected in the character of the antiquities, in the direction of 

 the roads, and in the inscriptions on the coins. 



The ancient British tribe of the Iceni appears to have inhabited the 

 district on the eastern side of England now represented by the counties of 

 Norfolk and Suffolk, and probably portions of adjacent counties. On some 

 of the ancient British coins found in this part of the country the inscription 

 ECEN occurs, and this obviously refers to the name of the tribe. Even in the 

 case of uninscribed coins from this district, certain well-marked peculiarities 

 I 273 35 



Bronze Cylinder 

 FROM Westhall 



