150 



Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



was too broken to treat in any way (Plate XVII, fig. 30). The ornamentation 

 can be seen from the figures. Combs are so common in crannog finds that it 

 was rather a surprise to discover only two specimens. Two goats' horns, 

 which had been slightly carved at the open ends, were found. These, no 

 doubt, had served the purpose of handles for knives (Plate XVII, figs. 15 

 and 16). Two wooden harp-pins were found (Plate XVII, figs. 34 and 35). 

 Harp-pins have been found in other Irish crannogs. See the index to 

 Wood-Martin's Lake Dwellings of Ireland for references. Two bones that 

 had been pointed, and used as implements, were also found (Plate XVII, 

 .figs. 7 and 8). 



Fig. 1 (about \). 



Nine sharpening-stones of various sizes were obtained. One very large 

 specimen was found on the surface of the crannog by Dr. Costello previous 

 to our excavations (fig. 1). It measures 17| inches in length, and evidently 

 had an attachment of iron at one end. Some of these stones appear to have 

 been used for sharpening the points of implements or weapons, as they show 

 indentations on the face (figs. 2 and 3). One small ornamental specimen 

 composed of calcified shale, with a bronze attachment, was found ; this was 

 probably a touchstone for testing metals (Plate XVII, fig. 10). 



Fio. 2 (J). Fio. 3 (J). 



As might have been expected, iron objects formed the bulk of the finds. 



