DISCOVERY OF A GOLD CUP IN CORNWALL. 35 



After removing part of the superincumbent earth and stones, they 

 came upon a vault or cist of rough masonry forming an oblong 

 four-sided cavity, consisting of three vertical stones on each of the 

 longer sides, of one stone at each end, a large flat one below, and 

 a large flat covering stone above. The length of the whole vault 

 was 8 ft., the breadth 3|- ft., and the height about 3 ft. 



None of these granite blocks had any visible tool-mark on 

 them ; but they were regularly arranged, the upper stone being 

 about 5 ft. below the surface of the mound. The vault extended 

 in length from IST.lSr.E. to S.S.W. In the opinion of Mr. Colenso, 

 the mound had been already disturbed, and the central part of it 

 had been thereby somewhat depressed ; but I do not understand 

 from this that the vault or cist itself had been apparently dis- 

 turbed ; on the contrary, a sketch by Mr. Freeth represents both 

 the horizontal and vertical stones as in their proper position. 



At the northern end of the vault were found human remains, 

 consisting of the crumbling portions of a skull and other bones 

 almost pulverised. 



Within the vault, and about 3| ft. from this north end, were 

 found two vessels lying near each other, one being of earthenware, 

 the other and smaller one being the gold cup before us. 



When first observed, there was a small flat stone, about 1 6 in. 

 square, leaning diagonally against the inner west side of the cist, 

 apparently (as my informant suggests) for protection of the vessels, 

 of which the earthen vessel was unfortunately broken by the tool 

 used in disengaging it from this stone. \, 



Mr. Colenso states in his letter that the earthen vase must, in 

 his opinion, originally have contained the gold one, which pro- 

 bably fell out of it when the larger earthen one was broken ; but 

 neither he nor Mr. Freeth saw the two in situ in the vault ; so 

 that the opinion was founded on the description of it by the 

 Avorkmen. 



Some other articles were also found in the cist, and were sent 

 up to London with the cup, but they are not now forthcoming. 

 This is to be regretted ; for, on the old principle of " noscihi7- a 

 socio," these other relics, found in company with the cup, might 

 have thrown light on the age or date of the cup. They were how- 

 ever seen by Mr. Freeth, now the only attesting witness of their 

 nature and aspect. They were sent up in four packages or boxes, 



