SEPULCHRAL POTTERY. 1 29 



rc-opened to receive fresh burials," and he pronounces the urns 

 found there to be of the earliest British manufacture. Thirty- 

 three distinct interments were discovered by Mr. INIiles, and there 

 were probably others, previously disturbed. 



These instances prove that if any explanation can be found for 

 the diversity of the burial customs connected with the Dorset 

 Barrows, it must be looked for quite apart from the actual date of 

 the burials. It is more probable that the social position or rank 

 of the deceased person was the deciding factor in each case, and 

 the regard with which he was held by his surviving friends. The 

 shape of barrows, and the character of objects found in connection 

 with the burial, are the chief factors in determining the period. 

 Round barrows may generally be referred to the Bronze age, and 

 long shaped barrows to the earlier Neolithic period. There are 

 two records, in the IMuseum, of Roman coins being found in 

 barrows, one at Frome Whitwell, near Dorchester, and the other 

 at Chcsilborne ; but, though unusual, it may be accounted for 

 on the supposition that Roman residents made excavations into 

 the burial mounds. 



It has been debated at different times whether these burial urns 

 were ever intended for any other use, whether in fact they were 

 originally made for domestic purposes. But the balance of 

 evidence leads to the conclusion that they were specially con- 

 structed for the funeral ceremonies. The shape, the coarse 

 material with which (for the most part) they were made, and even 

 the ornamentation seem to prove that they were ill adapted for 

 everyday use ; and, moreover, vessels of sepulchral design are 

 never discovered in connection with dwelling places, and possess 

 little in common with the pottery which is found there. 



They are all hand made, showing no sign of being fashioned 

 on a potter's wheel, and it is also safe to affirm that they were 

 baked at an open fire, the larger vessels frequently having a tinge 

 of black on the upper parts, caused by smoke from the burning 

 wood, possibly only exposed to the heat of the funeral flames. 

 The texture of the clay, as well as the colour, varies greatly, the 

 larger vessels (especially the cinerar)' urns) having a considerable 



