oIJS Proceediii()S ol the Roijal Irish Academy. 



of the Bronze Age in the British Islands, and was probably domesticated in 

 Ireland at the period of the interments in the Carrowkeel earns.' 



The curiously shaped pointed implement is made of hard slate ; the point 

 is very sharp and the object has been carefully scraped or rubbed down to 

 its present shape. It may have been used as a borer or for ornamenting 

 pottery. (Plate XXIV, fig. 9). 



The sandstone pebble appears to have been used as a hammer-stone. 

 It is flattened on one side (Plate XXIV, fig. 26). 



Six pins or pegs, with weU-cut heads were found — four in Carn K 

 (Plate XXIV, figs. 1, 12, 13, and 19), and two in Carn E (Plate XXIV, figs. 16 

 and 23). The largest (Plate XXIV, Hg. 1) has been fractured down the centre 

 (the lowest piece shown iu the figure probably belongs to it, but it cannot be 

 fitted on in any way, and certainty on the point is impossible). 



These pins should be compared with the very similar bone pins found 

 in excavations in the monuments at Carrowmore, Co. Sligo, figured by 

 Wood-JIartin,- and also with those found in Carn E 2 of the Loughcrew 

 series by Mr. E. Crofton Kotheram.' 



The heads of what were probably three bone needles found in Carn K are 

 interesting (Plate XXIV, figs. 17, 18, and 22). They may be compared with 

 what is described as the head of a bone pin discovered in the Carrowmore 

 cromlechs, and figured by Wood-Martin.^ Among the other bones found, a 

 curiously rounded rib bone may be noticed (Plate XXIV, fig. 6). It has been 

 artificially rounded to such an extent that it is impossible to determme 

 to what species it belonged. Its use is conjectural. The pointed end of a 

 broken implement, what was probably the head of another from carn K, and 

 also three curved bones are figured. These latter may have been used for some 

 purpose. The boar's tusk found in Carn E is interesting as the first remains 

 of boar found in tMs series of earns. It measures 2i inches in length. 

 (Plate XXIV, fig. 25). Boar's tusks are not uncommon accompaniments of 

 early interments. Several were found in the carn on Belmore Mountain, 

 Co. Permauagh, excavated by Mr. Thomas Plunkett.° A boar's tusk, cut 

 across and pierced in order to attach a string which had worn the hole, was 

 found in the Eden vale Caves, Co. Clare.* They have also been found frequently 

 in Crannogs in Ireland.' In England, boar's tusks perforated for suspension 



' See McKeniiy Hughes, '• On the more important Breeds of Cattle, &c." Archaeologia, vol. Iv, 

 pp. 133-135 ; also WUde, Proc. E.I. A., vol. vii, p. 64. 

 ■ Kude Stone Monuments of Ireland, pp. 21 and 29. 

 ' Journal Kuyal Society of Antiquaries uf Ireland, vol. xxv, p. 313. 

 * Wood-Martin, op. cit., p. 33, fig. 17. 

 ' Proc. R.I.A., 3rd ser., vol iv, p. 663. 

 « Trans. R.I.A., vol. xxxiii. Sect. B, p. S and PI. V, fig. 6. 

 " Wood-Martin, Lake Dwellings of Ireland, notes on pp. 168, 199, and 233. 



