ROMANO-BRITISH BERKSHIRE 



two or three centuries B.C. But the Celtic civilization can be traced back at least to the 

 fourth century ; and La Tene, in a general sense, represents the Celtic culture of central and 

 western Europe, after that of Hallstatt had disappeared. The principal characteristic of 

 these brooches is a coiled spring on both sides of the head ; and in the early specimens the 

 foot is turned back almost to meet the bow. The extremity of the foot is wanting in fig. 3, 

 which is of exceptional size, but the type is well represented by figs. 4, 5, 6 ; No. 5 having 

 the bow ornamented like the well-known series from Dux, Bohemia, and No. 6 having had a 

 setting of amber or glass at the end of the foot, and an iron axis added to the spring. In 

 the next stage (La Te'ne II) the end of the foot coalesces with the bow, but in the present 

 series the next in order is a late specimen of La Te'ne III (fig. 7), where the space between 

 the catch-plate and the returned foot has been reduced, and two mouldings represent the 

 collars that at an earlier stage attached the foot to the bow. A knob is added to the end 

 of the 'catch-plate, and the spiral spring at the head has also undergone a modification, 

 being strengthened (originally) by a hook attached to the head. This innovation marks the 

 close of the pure La Te'ne types, and may belong to the early part of the first century, 

 though the late Dr. Tischler J assigned this type to the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81-96). 



The next in logical order, if not in date, is a specimen (fig. 8) with stout bow on which 

 near the head are lines suggestive of Late-Celtic workmanship. Here the original spiral 

 spring is wanting, and the existing arrangement is not in accordance with the type ; but the 

 catch-plate is of special importance. The open triangular space at the foot of types La Tne 

 II and III was no doubt felt to be a source of weakness, and we have seen it partially filled 

 in fig. 7 ; but a more pleasing method was here adopted, and an open-work key-pattern, 

 that is sometimes executed with extreme delicacy and finish (as in Italy), added strength and 

 distinction to this article of the toilet. Certain specimens are approximately dated by coins, 

 and in this country can be assigned to the first century, as a more advanced type is found 

 with coins of the second, A.D. 



There is at present insufficient evidence to determine the exact sequence of the types 

 next to be considered (figs. 9, 10, n), but all must fall between about 150 and 300 A.D. Two 



(figs. 9 and 10) have several points of 

 resemblance, both having knobs at 

 the foot, and mouldings in the centre 

 of the bow, the head and bow to- 

 gether forming a T. In No. 9 the 

 bow spreads at the head as in a 

 common British form of the period, 

 and the spring consists of a long 

 spiral coil the ends of which are 

 connected by a chord outside. 



The next stage is marked by 

 the appearance of a semi-cylindrical 

 cover for the long spiral spring, and 

 this cover soon developed into a 

 cylinder, containing not the spiral 

 spring but only its axis, which now 

 served as a hinge for the pin. Thus, 

 fig. 10 has a perforated pin-head 

 through which passes an axis, and is 

 therefore a hinged brooch. Simi- 

 larly, fig. n, which may be native 

 work, has a hinge, and is further provided with a loop projecting from the head. This is 

 a common feature on Romano-British specimens, and was sometimes utilized for connecting 

 a pair by means of a chain. The next specimen illustrated (fig. 12) belongs to an earlier 

 stage, before the spiral had disappeared, and the chord was caught by a hook to increase the 

 tension. The pin is wanting, but a brooch precisely similar is published 2 from S. Sweden, and 

 belongs to a provincial Roman type specially common in N. Germany. It has been assigned 

 to the first century of our era, and is known in Germany as Augenfibel (eye-brooch), there 

 being two engraved rings with central dots at the end of the head, just above the spiral spring. 

 A new influence may be traced in the next group, an intermediate stage being perhaps 

 1 Meyer, Gurina, pi. vi. fig. 10, No. 45. 



O. Almgren, Nordeurofdiscbe Fibelformen, pp. 25, 144, pi. iii. fig. 52. 

 1 225 29 



FIG. ii. BROOCH OF ROMAN PERIOD. 



(Reading Museum) {. 



