114 Notes on Im'plcments of the Bronze Age found in Wiltshire. 



by Hoare, having been cleared of incrustation since his time. The 

 three links of chain hanging from the central hole are not the 

 least remarkable portion of the implement. No explanation of 

 their use has ever been suggested, except the obvious remark that 

 they are " for suspension," and the two outer links were certainly 

 cast together, as they show no sign whatever of junction. The 

 link which connects them with the central hole, on tlie other hand, 

 has a lump of incrustation on it whicli may 'possibly conceal a 

 junction, but even supposing this to be the case the casting of this 

 implement is a sufficiently remarkable achievement for the 2nd 

 Period of the Bronze Age, to which, apparently, the skeleton lying 

 on the floor of a large bell-shaped barrow, at Wilsford, belonged, 

 at whose feet this Prong, together with a bronze slightly -flanged 

 Celt (N"o. 105), a perforated stone Hammer-Axe, a bone Pipe, a bone 

 handle of some implement, a large boar's tusk, and a grooved 

 Whetstone were found. 



This almost completes the list of Bronze objects found in the 

 county. Certain strips of thin Bronze with twenty-nine rivets, 

 found in a barrow with remains of wood (No. 297), were supposed 

 by Hoare to be portions of a shield, whilst other rivets and strips 

 from another barrow (No. 298) were taken to belong to a wooden 

 box which had contained the cremated interment. Some wire 

 (No. 299) was found in the founders' hoard at Donliead ; a per- 

 forated oval stone hammer found at Bush Barrow, had traces of a 

 Bronze mount (No. 300) adhering to the stone ; and various inde- 

 terminate " fragments of bronze " (No. 302), which have not been 

 preserved, are recorded as having been found in barrows. 



Having dealt with the objects which have been found, a word 

 may be said on those wliich have not as yet occurred within the 

 borders of the county. No Halberd, tanged Dagger or Spearhead 

 with rivet hole in the long narrow tang, looped Bracelet, socketed 

 Dagger, tanged Sickle, Rapier, Scabbard-tip, Ferrule for Spear, 

 tanged Gouge, Shield, Trumpet, Horse Bit, socketed Knife, Situla, 

 or Bracelet with trumpet-shaped ends (of hronze) has ever been 

 recorded. 



Speaking generally, as has been said above, the county of Wilts 



