118 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1745, 



j4n Attempt by Mr. John Ward, F. R. S. to explain some Remains of Antiquity 

 lately Jound in Hertfordshire. Communicated by ffilliam Freeman, Esq. F. R. S, 

 Feb. 14, 1745. N°476, p. 349. 



By the account, which Mr. Ward delivered with them, these are said to have 

 been found in a chalk pit, near the side of Rooky Wood, in the parish of Bark- 

 way in Hertfordshire. A farmer's man, digging chalk there about 2 years since, 

 brought them with the chalk into his master's yard, and taking no notice of them 

 mixed them with the dung. They consist of a small brass image, an oblong piece 

 of brass, and 7 silver plates, very thin; which have all suffered more or less by 

 time, and other accidents. The figures and ornaments on the front of the plates 

 are all in relief, and seem to have been made by a stamp impressed on the other 

 side. Two of them have inscriptions in a compartment, written with the point of 

 a style, and the letters flatted behmd. And one of these, with 3 others of the 

 remaining 5, have the figure of Mars, and the other 2 that of Vulcan, impressed 

 on them. 



The image represents Mars, fig. 1, pi. 3, looking to his right side, with a 

 helmet on his head, and his body naked; his right arm extended, as if he had 

 held 1 spear, and a thong round his left, like the remains of a shield now broken 

 off with the hand; his right shoulder supporting a belt, which crossing his body 

 descends on the left side; his right leg broken oft at the knee, and his left foot lost. 

 The height of what remains, from the end of the left leg to the top of the crest, 

 is about 7 inches. It has been observed by Monttaucon, that though Mars is 

 frequently represented on coins, yet his statues are not very common. (Sup. 

 vol. i. p. 93.) 



The other piece of brass, fig. 2, pi. 3, is about 4-i- inches long, and seems to 

 have been the handle of a knife, or some such utensil. 



The plates are for distinction sake numbered in the following order. 1 . The 

 first is broken into two parts, see fig.. 3, which put together resembles the form of 

 a leaf, and is near 21 inches high, and about 10 broad in the widest part. It 

 contains an inscription inclosed in a compartment, addressed to Mars Jovialis. 



2. The second, fig. 4, is 8 inches in height, and 4 in breadth, where, it 

 is widest ; and retains pretty much of the gilding, which none of the rest now do : 

 though all of them it seems, when first discovered, appeared to have been gilt, 

 but in washing them the gilding came off". It has on it an image of Mars in a 

 military habit, with a helmet on his head, a spear in his right hand, and his left 

 resting on a shield; in the manner he is often seen upon coins. This image is 

 placed in the front of a temple, between two pillars, with a fastigium or pediment 

 over them. And beneath the temple in a compartment is an inscription to Mars 

 Alatorum. 



