A HISTORY OF LEICESTERSHIRE 



explained that the spear-heads and celts were found within a space measuring 

 6 ft. by 3 ft., and occupied by earth which differed from the surrounding 

 soil. On examination it was found to contain bone, pottery of well-burnt 

 clay, and charcoal. 



The two spear-heads were socketed and pierced with rivet-holes through 

 the socket. One, j\ in. long, was perfect, and the other, which was broken, 

 had apparently measured about 6j in. in length. A gouge, also socketed and 

 measuring 3 J in. long, was found with the spear-heads. The celt was of 

 the socketed variety, narrow and tapering in the waist, with an almost semi- 

 circular cutting edge, and provided with a single loop. 



The armlet referred to was unornamented and of small size, being only 

 3 in. in diameter. It was found outside the inclosure, at a distance of about 

 fifty yards from the other objects. Its shape is what is known as penannular, 

 and the two terminations have been considerably thickened so as to form 

 irregular knobs. According to an account published in 1842*11 appears 

 that ' an ancient battle-axe ' was found in ploughing a field at the foot of 

 Beacon Hill, and that it passed into the possession of Miss Watkinson, of 

 Woodhouse. Subsequently this object was brought to London and exhibited 

 at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries. It was then found to be a bronze 

 celt of plain, flat, early type, measuring little more than 5 in. in length. 10 It 

 doubtless belongs to an early period of the Bronze Age, whilst the other 

 implements provided with sockets must be placed at the latter end of that 

 age. The armlet, or bracelet, may belong perhaps to the early Iron Age. 

 Roman coins and other remains have also been found in the immediate 

 vicinity, so there is good reason to believe that this naturally strong and 

 easily defended site may have been continuously inhabited by successive tribes 

 from the Bronze Age down to the historic period ; and, indeed, judging from 

 the character of the earthworks, it is not improbable that it was inhabited 

 and artificially defended in the Neolithic Age. 11 



The site now known as Beacon Hill must always have been one of con- 

 siderable importance when defence against foes was a consideration, and it is 

 unlikely that the Neolithic people would have ignored such an eminently 

 desirable situation. 



In the Bronze Age it was certainly a place of importance, and from the 

 evidence of bronze casting in prehistoric times which the local discoveries 

 have furnished, there seems no reason why Beacon Hill should not be added 

 to the curiously limited number of Bronze Age settlements or villages known 

 in the kingdom. 



The particular discovery referred to is a portion of a bronze celt mould 

 containing traces of lead, and now preserved in the museum at Leicester. 18 

 The lead was doubtless part of a model used in the making of clay moulds in 

 which bronze celts were cast, the lead having first been heated and then 

 poured off. It is clear that work such as this implies a very considerable 

 amount of skill and knowledge of metallurgical processes, and indicates that 

 the craftsmen were persons of advanced culture. Some of the best castings 

 of the Bronze Age, especially castings in the form of socketed spear-heads, 



9 T. R. Potter, The Hist, and Antlq. of CkarnteooJ Forest, 49. 



10 Proc. Soc. Antiq. (ser. ii), i, 44 ; Evans, Bronze Imp. 



11 A plan is given in Potter's book just quoted, p. 49, and in the article on ' Earthworks ' in this volume. 

 11 Proc. Soc. Antiq. (ser. ii, xx), 258. 



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