A HISTORY OF ESSEX 



two gallons, in the other interment. As the northern portion of the 

 Essex site was cut away without proper supervision, it is now impos- 

 sible to say whether the other vessels found at Taplow were also repre- 

 sented ; but it may be pointed out that the draughtsmen found at the 

 foot of the latter grave remind us of the specimens found near the head 

 of the skeleton at Bourne Park. 



The remarkable coincidences here enumerated may justify some 

 further conclusions. An examination of the Broomfield site indicated 

 that the body had been enclosed in a wooden coffin and burnt inside the 

 grave ; but the difficulty of combustion in these circumstances was fully 

 realized, and it may be added that the glass and especially the wooden 

 vessels that must have been in close proximity to the fire, show no trace 

 of contact with it. There can be little doubt that in both cases the body 

 was protected by a wooden covering ; and the fact that very few bones 

 remained at Taplow is not to be accounted for by supposing all but these 

 to have been consumed by fire. It has been constantly noticed, as in 

 the Salisbury interment above described, that a grave which must have 

 had an occupant, preserved not a trace of the body ; and that this is 

 due rather to decay than to cremation is evident from the extreme 

 durability of calcined bones. 



Enough was however left of the skeleton at Taplow to show that 

 the head lay at the east end, contrary to the Christian orientation. It is 

 therefore probable that the same conditions obtained at Broomfield ; and 

 in the absence of later and Scandinavian forms of ornament, we are 

 entitled to fix upon the seventh century as the latest date for this inter- 

 ment in East Saxon soil. That it was before 600 is indeed possible, but 

 as there are indications of a somewhat late settlement of Essex, it is more 

 prudent to refer this interment to the years immediately preceding the 

 introduction of Christianity into these parts. 



In the absence of very precise details it is difficult to assign any 

 more definite date to the Peering (Inworth) cemetery, which appears to 

 have been as large as any of the period in Essex. A small series of 

 antiquities was exhibited to the Essex Field Club l in 1888 ; with them 

 were found, besides the vases already mentioned as not being cinerary 

 urns, several skulls, which are good evidence against cremation. There 

 were a number of glass and amber beads, an iron sword and spearhead, 

 and a peculiar crescent of bronze. Even the bronze brooches, which 

 generally have a tale to tell, are here unimportant. Six of these were 

 of a common circular form, four having simple punched designs, and 

 two ornamented with gilded plates applied to the face, but now in a 

 very poor condition. Another type (figs. 17, 18) is common enough, 

 and a ring-brooch with chevron ornament is equally uninstructive. 

 There was however a buckle set with a garnet that has a very Kentish 

 appearance. 



The discovery was made in a field near the river bridge, not far 

 from Kelvedon station, an old survey dated 1758 preserving the name 



1 Essex Naturalist, ii. 1 24. 

 326 



