200 RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES IN CORNWALL. 



the cliff, and at an elevation of abont 7 feet above the ordinary- 

 level of tbe beach. It stood, mouth upward, covered by a wide 

 flat stone. Its circular flat base rested in a pit (a few inches 

 deep) cut in the natural rock. The upper part of the urn was 

 enclosed in brown earth, which extended upward from the rock 

 to a height of 1 foot 3 inches above the covering slab of the 

 urn, completely burying all. 



The burial pit may perhaps have been dug down through 

 the earth till rock was reached, and then, after a little excavat- 

 ion of it, further digging was discontinued on account of its 

 hardness, for the earth appears to be part of a layer of marl, 

 which can be traced to the neighbouring point. 



The heavy mounds of sand above, were seen to contain 

 some stonework. Part of their sandy bulk may have accumu- 

 lated, by drifts, during the many centuries which have elapsed 

 since the urn was deposited in its place. "We shall presently 

 have to consider whether they are natural or not. 



From what has been stated, it will be perceived that the 

 stratification, in downward order, appeared thus in the cliff 

 section : — 



(1). Spire-grass or turf — on top surface. 



(2). Sand — 30 or more feet in depth, (containing portions 

 of stone- work). 



(3). Earth, and Marl — about 2 feet 4 inches in depth, 

 (containing the slab, and the urn with its contents). 



(4). Rock — (bottom of urn inserted in it). The mass of 

 hard strata extending down about 7 feet to beach level, 

 and to unknown depth below the sandy beach. 



As to the sand-hills at this spot, and the stone-work below 

 them, I think they are not chance accumulations. 



The stone- work consists of masonry, known as "upright 

 work," small flat handy pieces regularly and closely laid together 

 on edge, without mortar, slanting like hedging. 



Two masses inclined in opposite directions appeared in 

 section higher up than the bed of earth covering the urn, and 

 contiguous to one sand-mound a further portion at the lowest 

 part of the surface above. In the earth below this, to the west, 

 a skeleton was exposed. 



