The Grave-mounds of Derby shire, and their Contents. 461 



Celtic period are found in good condition, and in some instances 

 perfect and sound, those of the Anglo-Saxons ha^e, almost 

 invariably, entirely disappeared. Thus in a Celtic barrow the 

 primary interment of that period may be found in perfect 

 condition, while the secondary interment, that of the Anglo-Saxon, 

 although some centuries later in date, and some three or four 

 feet nearer the surface, will have decayed away and completely 

 disappeared. Thus, in a barrow at Wyaston which had been 

 raised over the body of a Saxon lady every indication of the 

 body had disappeared with the exception of the enamel coating 

 of the teeth, while a splendid necklace of beads, a silver ring, 

 silver earrings, and a silver brooch or fibula, remained in situ 

 where the flesh and bones had once been. Another instance 

 (to which I shall have occasion again to allude) which may be 

 named was the barrow at Benty Grange — a mound not more 

 than two feet in elevation, but of considerable dimensions, and 

 surrounded by a small fosse or trench, raised over the remains 

 of a Saxon of high rank. In this mound, although a curious and 

 unique helmet, the silver mountings of a leather drinking cup, 

 some highly interesting and beautiful enamelled ornaments, and 

 other objects, as well as indications of the garments, remained, 

 not a vestige of the body, with the exception of some of the hair, 

 was to be seen. The lovely and delicate form of the female and 

 the form of the stalwart warrior or noble had alike returned to 

 their parent earth, leaving no trace behind, save the enamels of 

 her teeth and traces of his hair alone, while the ornaments they 

 wore and took pride in, and the surroundings of their stations 

 remained to tell their tale at this distant date. In a barrow at 

 Tissington in which the primary (Celtic) interment was perfect, 

 the later Saxon one had entirely disappeared, while the sword 

 and umbone of the shield remained as they had been placed. 



The mode of interment with the funeral fire, as well as the 

 raising of the barrow, is curiously illustrated by the opening of 

 two Saxon graves at Wmster. A large wood fire had, appa- 

 rently, been made upon the natural surface of the ground. In 

 this a part of the stones to be used for covering the body, and 

 some of the weapons of the deceased, were burned. After the 

 fire was exhausted the body was laid on the spot where it had 

 been kindled, the spear, sword, or what not, placed about it, 

 and the stones which had been burnt piled over it. The soil 

 was then heaped up to the required height. 



The instances I have given (and most others which have 

 been examined) of interment of the entire body, have occurred 

 in the district of the Peak. In the lowlands of the county the 

 interments appear mostly to have been by cremation, and here 

 somewhat extensive cemeteries — either as groups of small low 

 barrows containing interments of burnt bones — or otherwise, 



