THE OPENING OF A TUMULUS NEAR PICKERING. 
6l 
From Mr. Abercromby's map of distribution of these beakers we 
see that they largely occupy the south, centre, and east of England, 
In Yorkshire they form a conspicuous group, from which they 
extend northwards, thickly studded along the eastern portion of 
Scotland as far as the Moray Firth. In Ireland one locality has 
yielded a specimen, viz., Moytirra, Co. Sligo, but all other forms 
of urns have been found. 
According to the system of grouping adopted by the above 
writer, our vessel would be placed in Type A, i.e„ High brimmed 
globosa cup. It would come in Sub-type Al, and would be much 
similar in shape to the one in the possession of the late Mr. 
Mortimer, found at Garton Slack, East Riding of Yorkshire. This 
places it in the earliest type of beaker. 
In the account of the Glastonbury Lake dwellings it is con¬ 
clusively proved that considerable skill in native art existed in 
Pre-Roman days. We have then to set back our burial and its 
accompanying beaker beyond the Iron Age into the Early Bronze 
Age. This must give a considerable age to our “ find,” possibly 
from 2,500 to 3,000 years. 
The centre of the tumulus had been disturbed and fragments of 
more than one urn were discovered along with portions of human 
bones. One of these urns had evidently been of large size. 
Plate IIP b, 3. In this disturbed portion we came across two large 
slabs of stone laid horizontally. These may at one time have 
protected the primary interment. Several pieces of worked flint 
were found. On the east side, at the extreme edge of the mound, 
was found an anvil or hammer stone. Plate IIP a. 
The hammer stone found at the opposite side of the tumulus to 
the beaker is 2\ inches in its largest diameter. In Plate III. a is seen 
a deep depression on the top, there is a slightly shallower one at the 
bottom. On the near side is a smooth surface, which extends for 
half of the circumference ; there are two shallower depressions on 
the remaining portion. If taken up in the right hand, the thumb 
fits into the upper hollow and the second finger into the bottom 
one ; the first finger resting on one of the side depressions and the 
third the other. When so held it forms a useful pounding hammer. 
Some authorities describe this stone as an anvil on which the 
flints were probably chipped. 
Plate IIP b, 1,2, 3, shews fragments of urns found in the disturbed 
centre of the barrow. 
