The " Kjokken-Moddinger" of Elginshire. 91 



this day. In the local archaeological case of the Elgin Mu- 

 seum there are a bronze pin, similar to what is frequently 

 found in Ireland, and two small bits of rude but ' perforated 

 pottery, which have been picked up from Ihe shells at 

 Brigzes, and which so far indicate a more recent period 

 than that of the Stone Age. It is known that far within the 

 historical period the Bishops of Moray had a seaport near 

 their castle, and that disputes then existed about their fish- 

 ings at Spynie. Thus, it can only be by a comprehensive 

 collection, and a careful record of such adjuncts as may turn 

 up of bone, stone, bronze, iron, &c, that some idea can be 

 got of the era and continuance of that mode of living which 

 these shell mounds on our shores so strikingly reveal. 



About a gunshot to the east of this large mound of shells 

 there is a trench, with its inner corresponding rampart. It 

 looks like one of those ancient earthworks reckoned to have 

 been British forts, such as are not uncommon in this county. 

 Had it ever any other tie or connection with the mound of 

 shells than that of juxtaposition ? It is of an oval shape, 

 and measures about seventy by fifty-three yards. There is a 

 current idea that this excavation is of modern date, at least 

 within the historical period ; but, notwithstanding all that 

 is said on this point, it is worthy of the inspection of the 

 archaeologist, as there is little chance of his digging from it 

 an " A.D.L.L.," or of his meeting near it an Edie Ochiltree 

 to give his mortifying interpretation. 



Smaller collections of shells, but of the same sort, are to be 

 seen at different places along the road leading from Brigzes 

 to Lossiemouth — as on the north side of Oakenhead Farm, 

 and also high up on the east side of the canal, where it enters 

 the shingly beach, and is crossed by the bridge. 



Another of these ancient shell-heaps on our shores claims 

 special attention, as it contains, along with the usual species 

 of edible shells, a number of bones of animals. It is on the 

 west side of the Burghead Railway, perhaps not a mile from 

 the terminus, as it cuts through the Bennet* hill. Here, 

 as in Denmark, the larger bones have been broken up longi- 

 tudinally, to get at the marrow ; or, as Mr Lubbock says — 



* Bonnet, from its shape. — Ed. 



