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NOTICE OF A CINERARY URN POUND IN A BARROW AT HUSTTN 

 IN ST. BREOCK, CORNWALL. 



By Rev. W. IAGO, B.A., Bon. Local Sec. for Cornwall of the Society of Antiquaries, London : 

 £ast Cornwall Corresponding Secretary, and Member of the Council of the Royal Institution 



of Cornwall. 



■ Barrow- digging, whether undertaken for the sake of science, or 

 simply for private amusement, is a tempting pursuit — being generally 

 attended with very interesting discoveries. It should, however, be 

 allowed only under special circumstances. 



The wanton ransacking of the resting-place of the ancient dead, 

 seems almost— if not quite — as unjustifiable as would be the similar 

 desecration of a modern grave. 



When, from early times, a Burial Mound has safely guarded the 

 ashes of some chief, or the bodies of his family or followers, aud no 

 necessity exists for the removal of the tumulus, it should (according 

 to my view of what is right) be left undisturbed and be jealously 

 protected as a national monument. 



The care with which our forefathers, in the dim past, treasured 

 the remains of those dear to them, should be respected, both by the 

 occupiers of the land, and also by antiquaries. 



If such a feeling generally prevailed, many barrows now need- 

 lessly doomed to speedy ruin, would be left unmolested, so that they 

 might preserve (through the present day and through future ages) 

 the bones or ashes placed within them. This would surely be 

 preferable to their being torn open and rifled to satisfy mere curiosity. 

 Too often it happens that the contents of barrows are scattered to 

 the winds, or the mutilated fragments are exposed to decay on 

 Museum shelves. 



But should such contingencies arise as that an explorer is bent 

 upon opening some ancient tomb, or the owner of the land finds it 

 essential to his interests that the ground should be cleared of the 

 encumbrance, it at once becomes the duty of the antiquary to take 

 note of the proceedings— or, better still, to obtain permission care- 

 fully to conduct the excavations. 



