Chapter 9

Fig. 189.—Eastern portion of Crannog, showing surrounding Stockades and portion of Log Pavement. The Sign-board marks the position of Canoe. (From Photograph by Mr. Lawrie.)

On tracing the inner circle of stockades all round, it became evident that they formed part of some sort of enclosure. On the south-east side were two well-shaped rectangular uprights, about 2 feet 6 inches high, and 4 feet apart, firmly mortised into a well-constructed wooden flooring. These, as will appear from the sequel, formed portions of the door-posts of the entrance to the area of log pavement. Continuous with them, on the east side, and in the line of the inner circle, some of the intervals between the uprights were actually found to contain the remains of a composite wall of stone and wood. The space between the second and third piles, counting from the doorway, was thus filled up. At the base there were two layers of rectangular stones, then a flat beam of oak laid horizontally, then three layers of thin flagstones, well selected for size and shape, then another oak beam similar to the first, and finally other three layers of flat stones. This wall had partially fallen over, but therelative position of the respective layers was still retained, and showed that when standing it would be about 3 feet high (see Fig. 189). The adjoining space, next the doorway, had two layers of stones at the base, and then a beam, but the rest was wanting. There were no further remains of a decided wall met with, though stones were abundantly encountered all over the area of the crannog. As all the uprights in the inner circle appeared to have been worn orbroken, there is no evidence to show what their former height was, but as they now stand, they are not only different in shape, but considerably taller than those in the second and third circles, which are all shorter and more or less pointed.

Fig. 190.—Portion of north side of Crannog, with the space between inner and second circle of piles dug out, showing arrangement of Transverse Beams and structure of the Log Pavement. (From Photograph by Mr. Lawrie.)

Directly facing the door-place, but 13 feet farther out, and nearly in a line with the outer circle of stockades, there was a large rectangularly-shaped beam 11 feet long, containing two mortised holes, one at each end, and having an interval of 8 feet 6 inches between them. This beam lay close to two massive uprights which projected about 2 feet above the surface of the wooden flooring, and, both as regards distance and shape, looked as if they had been mortised into the holes in the former. When the beam was thus applied and restored into its natural position, the portion of its under side between the mortised holes was observed to have a longitudinal groove, having its inner margin bevelled off, and containing a few round holes, which, however, did not penetrate to its upper surface, and just underneath it were the external ends of two large oak planks, which extended inwards to the doorway. On careful inspection these plankswere also found to contain a few vertical holes, so that it became apparent that the interval between them and the large transverse was protected by a series of upright wooden spars. External to this parapet-like arrangement was the refuse-heap, which, on being entirely cleared away, showed that the two uprights, though exposed to a depth of about 6 feet below the wooden pavement, were immovably fixed. Close to one of them deeper digging was attempted, with the view of getting an idea of its length, and at a depth of 4 feet still lower a solid beam could be felt with an iron probe; but whether the upright was mortised into it I could not determine. Continuous with the east end of this ashpit railing was the external circle of stockades, which curved a little outwards, and at the other end, in addition to an external line of slender stockades which took a more rapid sweep outwards, there was a straight row of uprights thickly placed together, and protected at their base by a strong fixed beam, into which they were mortised (see Fig. 188). This beam was on a lower level than the platform in front of the doorway, and the upper ends of the uprights were free, but the probability is that originally they were bound by a transverse rail. On the inner side of this line a number of short beams were observed lying flat, as if they had been intended for a pathway, and towards its external end there lay a confused heap of slender beams projecting beyond the line of the outer stockades. It was this peculiarity that suggested this spot as the probable terminus of an under-water gangway leading to the shore, the determination of which led to the making of a trench some 12 feet farther out, which resulted in the discovery of a canoe.

Though nothing in the arrangement of the wooden structures here could be construed to indicate a regular landing-stage, it was very probable, from its southern exposure, the position of the canoe, and the proximity of the doorway tothe log pavement, together with the pathway leading up to it, that this really was the ordinary landing-place as well as the outer entrance to the crannog.

Refuse-heap.—As mentioned above, the refuse-heap lay outside the stockades, and immediately beyond the railing in front of the supposed doorway to the central area of the crannog. It was of an oblong shape, measuring from 25 to 30 feet long (along the margin of the island), and about 15 to 20 feet across. Its depth, near the railing, would be about 5 feet in addition to its superficial layer of clay and silt. The principal ingredients of its central portion were broken bones and ashes, but towards the margin and lower strata these were largely mixed with decayed brushwood. To clear out its deeper portions was a difficult matter, owing to the rapid accumulation of water. One of the combs (Fig. 218), and a bone pin, were found here in my presence, at a depth of not less than 6 or 7 feet below the surface of the field. The lowest stratum reached consisted of what seemed to me to be lake silt, brushwood, and some large bones. The bones, especially those from the lower strata, were abundantly impregnated with the mineral vivianite, which, in some of the larger ones, formed groups of most beautiful green crystals, similar in all respects to those found at the Lochlee crannog. What, however, made the investigation of the midden so full of interest was the number of rare and valuable relics recovered from its contents. Some of them were picked upin situ, when the men were wheeling out the stuff, but others were subsequently found by riddling the débris when it became sufficiently dry to admit of this process.

The general results of the above observations may be categorically summed up as follows:—

1. The island, as far as could be ascertained from the investigations made, was composed of a succession of layers ofthe trunks and branches of trees, intermingled in some places with stones, turf, etc.

2. The whole mass was kept firmly together by a peculiar arrangement of upright and horizontal beams, forming a united series of circular stockades.

3. The outer circle was intended more for protection than for giving stability to the island, and in some parts, as at the east side of refuse-heap, was neatly constructed after the manner of a stair-railing, while the inner one not only gave stability to the island, but was used as a fence, or in connection with the superstructural buildings.

4. The central portion was rudely paved with wooden beams, many of which were firmly fixed to the lower wood-work by stout wooden pegs as well as to the encircling stockades, thus affording here and there, as it were,points d'appui.

5. While there was one general fireplace situated near the centre, evidence of occasional fires elsewhere was quite conclusive, one of which appeared to have been a smelting-furnace.

6. The entrance to the central area was looking south-east, and in front of it there was a well-constructed wooden platform, made of large oak planks, supported on solid layers of wood to which they were pinned down.

7. Beyond the platform, but separated from it by a massive wooden railing, was the refuse-heap; and to the right of it a pathway, also protected on its outer side by a railing, led downwards and westwards to the line of the outer circle, where there appeared to have been an opening towards a rude landing-stage at the water edge.

8. As to the kind of dwelling-house that no doubt once occupied this site, whether one large pagoda-like building or a series of small huts, the evidence is inconclusive, but so far as it goes it appears to me to be indicative of the former.In addition to what has already been stated, there remains to notice only a few broken pieces of wood containing round holes, together with a variety of large and small pins similar to those described and figured in my notice of the Lochlee crannog.

Fig. 191.—Appearance of Canoein situ, after exposure. (From a Drawing by Mrs. Anstruther.)

Discovery and Description of Canoe.—The experience derived from the investigations of the crannogs at Lochlee and Lochspouts, in both of which a submerged gangway was found running to the nearest shore, was sufficiently suggestive to keep me on thequi vivefor any indications of a similar structure here. On the north side, where the shore was nearest, though the digging was carried considerably deeper and farther out from the margin of the crannog than elsewhere, not the slightest appearance of outlying wood-work was observed; and as there was no probability of an approach from the more distant ends of the lake, the situation of a gangway, if such existed at all, was limited to the south-west side, where the shore would be about 150 yards distant. To determine this, the men were set to cut a trench about 12 yards distant from the crannog, across the most likely line, so as to intercept it, and after going down 4 feet they came upon a layer of brushwood, along with one or two beams, below which there seemed to be the usual lake mud. Upon forcing the spade downwards, however, a hard beam was encountered, which at first I took to be the discovery of part of the gangway we were in search of, and to satisfy myself on the point I took an iron rod, and, by carefully probing all over the bottom of the trench, ascertained that instead of a gangway we had come upon portion of a canoe. Guided by the direction of the supposed side of the canoe, which looked like a thin oak beam running along the edge of the trench, a suitable clearance was made, which revealed to the wondering gaze of the bystanders the front half of a large canoe. Upon being subsequently exposed in its entirety it wasfound to have the following dimensions and peculiarities. Its sides were supported by a series of well-shaped ribs, which extended from the rim to near the mesial line, and sometimes a little beyond it. This, at first sight, gave the canoe the appearance of a boat, but after careful inspection it became apparent that these ribs were no part of the original vessel, but subsequent additions made for repairing and strengthening purposes. Nearly the whole of one side was lined with broad thin boards made of soft wood, external to which was the thin oak side of the canoe, having its cracks as well as the intermediate spaces between it and the strengthening boards actually stuffed with a species of moss. Moreover, the ribs on this side were more numerous than on the other side, no less than ten having been observed on the former, and their arrangement on both sides was totally devoid of regularity. Of the whole series of ribs only two were made of oak, the rest being of birch or some perishable wood, and so decayed that it was with great care they were prevented from being entirely destroyed by the workmen, as they offered no resistance to their spades. They were fastened to the canoe by wooden pins, arranged generally in couples forming two rows along the rib, and so closely were they placed that not less than sixteen were counted in one rib. In two places the canoe had been repaired by inserting a nicely fitting piece of oak planking instead of the original portion of the side. One of these patches measured 2 feet 3 inches long, and 10 inches broad, and was kept in position by two ribs, one near each end. The stem, which was symmetrically shaped and pointed, was pierced horizontally by a large hole, and about 3 feet from its tip each side had also an elongated hole near the rim, sufficiently large to admit of being easily grasped by the hand. Externally, and on both sides, there was fastened to the edge of the canoe, by means of wooden pins, a sort of gunwale, which extendedfrom within a few feet of the stem till it projected a little beyond the stern. Close to the stern, two slender bars of wood, a few inches apart, stretched across, and after passing through the edges of the canoe terminated in being tightly mortised into the gunwale. These transverses contained two round holes similarly arranged as to position, being near the right side, and between them was inserted a moveable sternpiece which was shaped to the curve of the canoe,i.e.approximately a semicircle, and made to fit into a shallow groove cut out of the solid wood. This sternpiece was strongly constructed, being 31⁄2inches thick, 3 feet 6 inches long, and 1 foot 41⁄2inches deep about the middle. About 15 inches in advance of the sternpiece there was a ridge across the bottom and sides of the canoe which looked like a rib, but was really part of the solid oak, evidently left for a special purpose. I also noticed one or two round holes in the floor, as well as others along its upper edge as if for thole-pins. In two places equidistant from the ends, and about 4 feet apart, the gunwale had short pieces of wood fastened to it by vertical pins, as if intended for the use of oars. Amongst the decayed brushwood lying across the canoe was an oak beam, having one end projecting so much beyond the edge into the clay bank that the workmen in endeavouring to pull it out broke off the free end. This portion was rectangularly shaped, 5 inches by 31⁄2, and had its narrow side pierced with three round holes 1 foot 10 inches apart, which still contained the remains of broken pins. The shell of the canoe was oak, made by scooping out the interior of a large trunk, but all its attachments, such as gunwale, sternpiece, cross spars at stern, and all the ribs except two, were made of a much less durable wood.

The extreme length of the canoe was 22 feet, but the inside measurements were as follows:—Length 19 feet6 inches; breadth at stern 3 feet 6 inches; ditto, about the middle, 4 feet; and ditto, near the stem, 2 feet 10 inches; depth, about centre, 1 foot 10 inches.

Among the mud removed from the hull of the canoe were a few stones and portion of the skull of an ox (see Fig. 191).

Oar.—Portion of what appeared to have been a large oar was found on the crannog, but, from its fragmentary state, we could only ascertain that the blade was 9 inches broad and 11⁄4inch thick, and that the handle measured 5 inches in circumference.

Description of Relics.

The relics are here grouped under several heads, in accordance with the method of classification adopted in my previous monographs, and, to save repetition, I may explain, that (when not otherwise stated) they may be considered to have been found eitherin situin the refuse-heap, or among its stuff after it was wheeled out and subsequently examined.

I. Objects made of Stone.

Fig. 192.—Stone Polisher (2⁄3).

Hammer-Stones,Polishers,etc.—Only two or three typical hammer-stones have to be recorded as found on this crannog.One is an elongated flat pebble, and shows the usual markings at both ends, another only at one extremity, and a third is somewhat circular, with the markings on the flat surface alone. Under the category of polishers are included seven or eight highly polished water-worn pebbles, varying much in size and shape. Two, shaped like pebbles, are 7 inches long, and have slight pounding marks at both extremities (Fig. 192). Three are flat and oblong, and measure from 21⁄2to 4 inches.

Sling-Stones,etc.—Like the hammer-stones, these objects are comparatively rare, only a few having been added to the collection.

Whetstones,Grindstones,etc.—Of these objects the following are noteworthy:—

1. A large flat implement, made of bluish claystone, with a smooth polished surface, and having a hole roughly cut out of one end. It measures 12 inches long, 4 broad, and 11⁄2inch thick (Fig. 193).

Fig. 193.—(?) Whetstone (1⁄3).

2. One or two ordinary whetstones a few inches long, and from 1 to 2 inches broad.

3. An oblong block of sandstone, containing two smooth cavities, probably used for polishing small objects such as jet rings. One of the cavities is a hollowed circle 21⁄2inchesin diameter, and half an inch deep; the other is a groove 3 inches long, half an inch wide, and the same in depth (Fig. 194).

4. Two fragments of a circular grindstone, made of fine red sandstone. One of the portions shows a few inches of the striated circumference as well as a small segment of the central hole. The diameter of the stone when whole would be about 15 inches.

Fig. 194.—Block of Sandstone (1⁄4).

5. Two large irregularly-shaped masses of whitish sandstone, each containing a smooth cavity shaped like a trowel or botanical spud, having the sides curled up. One of these curiously-shaped cavities measures 10 by 8 inches. Its greatest depth, which is at the base and in the line of the shortest diameter, is 3 inches. The other is precisely similar in shape, but of smaller dimensions. The latter stone has friction-marks on another of its sides.

6. Another mass of whitish sandstone, of a semi-globular shape, having a cup-shaped cavity on its flat surface, must also be included under this heading. The diameter of the cup is 51⁄2inches, and its depth 21⁄2inches. The rest of the flat surface all round the margin of the cup is smoothed and striated, evidently caused by the sharpening of tools. The cup itself was not used for this purpose, as the marks of the puncheon by which it was chiselled out are distinctly seen. Its probable use was to hold water, so essential to the sharpening of metal tools.

Cup Stone.—A small cup stone found in the interior of the crannog. The stone is smooth on its upper and under surfaces and on one side, but the other sides are irregularly shaped. The cup itself is quite smooth and circular, and looks as if it had been used as a small mortar. Its diameter is only 1 inch, and depth half an inch (Fig. 195).

Fig. 195.—Fragment of Stone, with a cup-shaped Cavity (1⁄1).

Querns.—Only two upper quern-stones, both of which are in a fragmentary condition. One was made of a fine quartz conglomerate, and, by putting the fragments together, it was ascertained that it measured 18 inches by 17 inches. It was flat, and more of a millstone shape, and the central hole was large (3 inches in diameter), circular, and not tapering. For the insertion of a handle there was a small square-shaped hole at its margin.

Portion of another quern made of whinstone, and of the usual type, indicates a medium size, of about 1 foot across.

Fig. 196.—Spindle Whorl (1⁄1).Fig. 197.—Spindle Whorl (1⁄1).

Spindle Whorls.—A small spindle whorl neatly made of coarse shale. It is flat and circular, and has a diameter of 1 inch (Fig. 196). Another perforated little object, of smaller dimensions than the former, is made of cannel coal (Fig. 197).

Flint Objects.—Two views of a portion of a curved flint knife, which has been much used, are here given (Fig. 198). Another small flint implement like a scraper is figured, because it exhibits one side which has been artificially polished (Fig. 199). Fig. 200 represents a small central core, neatly chipped all round. There is another large core of flint 31⁄4inches in diameter, from which many flakes appear to have been struck off. Besides the above there were found a small portion of a finely chipped scraper, and a large quantity of broken flints and chips.

Fig. 198.—Flint Implement (1⁄1).

Fig. 199.—Polished Flint Implement (1⁄1).

Fig. 200.—Flint Core (1⁄1).

Finally, small pebbles, sometimes highly polished and variegated in colour, thin circular discs of stone about the size of a halfpenny-piece, bits of dark shale as if water-worn, and a large quartz crystal having its angles worn off, may be mentioned among the nondescript articles under this heading. Also a lump of iron slag was found near the middle of the first trench, but, mysteriously, it could not be seen when collecting the objects at the end of the day's work, and was never recovered.

II.Objects of Bone.

Fig. 201.Fig. 202.Fig. 203.Fig. 204.Fig. 205.Fig. 206.Fig. 207.Fig. 208.Bone Pins (1⁄1).

Fig. 201.Fig. 202.Fig. 203.Fig. 204.Fig. 205.Fig. 206.Fig. 207.Fig. 208.

Bone Pins (1⁄1).

Pins.—Twenty bone pins, varying in length from 11⁄2inch to 31⁄2inches. These articles are exceedingly well made, with round polished stems, tapering into sharp points. Some have round heads like beads, others are circular but flat on the top, while others again, especially the larger ones, are irregularly shaped. One (Fig. 202) has its head ornamented by a circular ridge, surmounted by a wider rim neatly notched all round, and another has its shank surrounded by two bands of diamond-shaped spaces, formed bya series of incised lines slantingly crossing each other, as shown in Fig. 212. Fig. 210 is the representation of one only partially formed.

Fig. 209.Fig. 210.Fig. 211.Fig. 212.Bone Pins (1⁄1).

Fig. 209.Fig. 210.Fig. 211.Fig. 212.

Bone Pins (1⁄1).

Fig. 213.Bone Needle (1⁄1).

Fig. 213.

Bone Needle (1⁄1).

Needle.—A neatly-formed needle, having an elongated eye at its extremity, precisely similar to a common darning needle. It tapers gently into a sharp tip, and is smoothly polished all over. Its length is 2 inches (Fig. 213).

Fig. 214.—Bone Knob (1⁄1).

Fig. 215.—Bone Knob (1⁄1).

Knobs.—Three round objects of bone, about the size of a marble, each having a portion of a slender iron pin more or less projecting. Two are quite smooth, globular, and preciselysimilar to each other in every respect (Fig. 214); the other is ornamented by a few incised circles and ridges (Fig. 215).

Fig. 216 represents a curiously-shaped object of bone, the use of which is unknown to me.

Fig. 216.—Object of Bone (1⁄1).

Worked Bones.—Several portions of bone, exhibiting marks of sharp-cutting instruments, but not assuming the form of any recognisable implements.

Toilet Combs.—Three of these articles, which are in a wonderfully good state of preservation, are here engraved on account of their structure and variety of ornamentation.

Fig. 217.—Bone Comb (1⁄1).

Fig. 218.—Bone Comb (1⁄1).

Fig. 219.—Bone Comb (1⁄1).

They are all made on a uniform plan. The body,i.e.the portion containing the teeth, consists of three or four flat pieces kept in position by two transverse bands of bone, oneon each side, and riveted together by three or four iron rivets. The comb represented by Fig. 217 has its body made of four portions, but only three rivets. The ornamentation is alike on both sides, and at one end there is a small hole, probablyfor attaching it to a string. It is 31⁄2inches long and 21⁄4inches broad. That figured next (Fig. 218) has the same breadth as the former, but not quite the same length, being only 3 inches long. The ornamentation is similar on both sides.

From slight cuts on the cross bars, corresponding to the intervals between the teeth, it is manifest that the teeth in both these combs were formed by a saw, after the pieces were riveted together.

The third comb here engraved (Fig. 219) is in a somewhat fragmentary condition, but when whole it would be about 4 inches long. The body was made up of four portions, and contained four iron rivets. Its ornamentation consists of a central dot, surrounded by two incised circles, and is alike on both sides. The similarity of the concentric circles induces me to believe that they must have been formed by a die, probably branded on with a hot iron.

Some other fragments of similar combs were found, representing at least three additional combs, with teeth rather finer than those in the illustrations.

III.Objects made of Horn.

Several portions of deer horns, consisting of tines and thick portions of the body of the horn, together with a few of the roe-deer, presenting sometimes marks of a saw and sometimes those of a sharp-cutting tool, were found in the refuse-heap. The few worked objects I have to record were all made from horns of the former animal. One large antler, having portion of the skull attached to it, and the entire lateral half of the skull of a roe-deer with the horn still adherent, show that the horns were not shed ones, but those of animals actually caught and killed. The manufactured implements consist of a few pointed objects, and one or two handles, apparently for knives.

Fig. 220 represents a highly polished dagger-like implement, measuring 71⁄2inches long. Another, of about the same size, is coarsely cut out of the side of a large horn (Fig. 221). A small pointed object is figured among the bone pins (see Fig. 207).

Fig. 220.Fig. 221.Implement of Horn (1⁄2).Horn(1⁄2).

Fig. 220.Fig. 221.

Implement of Horn (1⁄2).Horn(1⁄2).

Fig. 222.Knife-Handle (1⁄2).

Fig. 222.

Knife-Handle (1⁄2).

Knife-Handles.—One of the handles is well made, having the rough surface removed with a sharp-cutting instrument. It is 4 inches long (Fig. 222). Another is only 3 inches long, and has a notch at one end.

IV.Objects of Wood.

Wooden objects are extremely rare. One or two fragments of what appeared to have been a bowl, portion of the blade of an oar, a bit of board partially burnt and penetrated by four round holes, together with three pins almost identical with those found at Lochlee (see Figs. 112, 114, and 115). The bowl was ornamented by two or three incised parallel lines near the rim. Another small fragment, which might have been of the same vessel, had a clasp of thin brass over it, as if it had been mended.

V.Objects of Metal.

(a.)Articles made of Iron.

Fig. 223.—Iron Axe (2⁄3).

1.Axe Head.—This implement, which is represented in Fig. 223, measures 3 inches along the cutting edge, 41⁄2inchesfrom the centre of cutting edge to the back of the hole for handle, and 2 inches through the centre of this aperture. A neighbouring farmer, who had carted a load of the stuff from the midden for potting plants, found this axe-head while making use of the stuff in his greenhouse, and returned it to me.

Fig. 224.—Gouge (1⁄3).Fig. 225.Fig. 226.Fig. 227.Iron Knives (1⁄1).

Fig. 224.—Gouge (1⁄3).Fig. 225.Fig. 226.Fig. 227.

Iron Knives (1⁄1).

2.Gouge.—This instrument appears to have had a portion broken off its point. It still measures 14 inches long,and its other extremity is pointed for insertion into a handle (Fig. 224).

Fig. 228.

Fig. Fig. 229.Fig. 230.Iron Knives (1⁄1).

Fig. Fig. 229.Fig. 230.

Iron Knives (1⁄1).

3. Knives.[35]—Six well-shaped knife-blades, all with tangs for insertion into handles. The blades vary in length from 2 to 4 inches (Figs. 225 to 230).

4.Punch.—This implement is 6 inches long, and rectangularly shaped, with its angles slightly flattened (Fig. 231).

5.Awls.—Of these objects there are three: one is very slender and sharp, but only 2 inches long (Fig. 232). Another is 4 inches long, and the third is a much larger implement, being 71⁄4inches long.

Fig. 233.—Spear Head (1⁄2).

Fig. 231.—Punch (1⁄2).Fig. 232.—Awl (1⁄1).

Fig. 231.—Punch (1⁄2).

Fig. 232.—Awl (1⁄1).

6.Spear Head.—This is a well-shaped socketed spear head, 81⁄2inches long, with a central ridge in the blade. The socket end is ornamented by two groups of circular grooves,each group containing three circles. Portion of the wooden handle was found in the socket (Fig. 233).

7.Arrow Heads.—Three pointed objects like arrow heads are represented in Figs. 234, 235, and 236. Two of these objects are almost identical in size and form. One end is four-sided and tapers to a sharp point, the other is round and hollow as if for the insertion of the stem of an arrow. Length 23⁄4inches. The third has the socket end very similar to the former, but the front portion is flat, and widens out a little before coming to a sharp point (Fig. 236).

Fig. 234.Fig. 235.Fig. 236.(?) Arrow Points (1⁄1).

Fig. 234.Fig. 235.Fig. 236.

(?) Arrow Points (1⁄1).

8. Fig. 237 represents a curious object, having a spring attached to each side, both of which are still compressible, and a curved portion containing a round hole. Total length is 5 inches, length of springs 2 inches, length of curved portion 13⁄4inches. Said to be portion of a padlock, similarin structure and principle to locks now used in China and some parts of India.[36]

Fig. 237.Iron Object (1⁄1).

Fig. 237.

Iron Object (1⁄1).

9.Files?—An object shaped like a flat file, cut squarely at one end, and having a sharp-pointed tang at the other. It is of uniform thickness throughout, and measures 31⁄2inches long,5⁄8inch broad, and rather more than1⁄8inch thick. There is another object exactly similar to the above in form, but a shade smaller. They look like small files, but no grooves now remain.

10.Spiral Objects.—Fig. 238 represents a slender iron rod, forming a close spiral with three twists at one end, and a slight curve at the other, which presents the appearance of having been fractured. The diameter of the circular portion is rather less than 1 inch. Fig. 239 represents another spiral object terminating in a straight point.

11. Fig. 240 represents two views of a small ornamental instrument with a bifurcated termination, which might have been used as a compass for describing small circles, such as are seen on some of the combs. Its length is 2 inches.

12.Miscellaneous Objects.—When the stuff wheeled from the refuse-heap had dried up and become pulverised during the summer months, several articles were picked up by visitors, among which may be mentioned four large nails, a small ferrule, a small iron link thicker on one side than another, a much-corroded socket still containing a bit of wood, a flat portion of iron welded together, and a few other bits of iron. These, however, cannot be positively asserted as belonging to the crannog objects.

Fig. 238.—Spiral Object (1⁄1).Fig. 239.—Iron Object(1⁄1).

Fig. 240.—Iron Object (1⁄1). Two Views.

Fig. 241.—Bronze Brooch (1⁄1).

(b.)Articles made of Bronze.

Brooch.—A circular brooch, minus the pin, 11⁄2inch in diameter, and ornamented on its upper surface by a series of grooves pointing to the centre of the brooch. The under surface is quite plain. A small portion of the pin is still attached to the brooch, and the opposite side of the brooch is worn into a hollow by the friction of the point of the pin. The transverse grooves are also much worn, but where nearly obliterated the external and internal margins of the brooch show the hacks, corresponding with their extremities (Fig. 241).

Fig. 242.Fig. 243.Bronze Pins (1⁄1).

Fig. 242.Fig. 243.

Bronze Pins (1⁄1).

Pins.—Two small pins, having round shanks ornamented by two groups of circular and longitudinal incised lines. Both pins have flat heads, and one has a blue bead stuck in its top. They are nearly of the same length, being a shade less than a couple of inches (Figs. 242 and 243).

Several bits of brass plate, apparently used as clasps for mending purposes. One, indeed, was found attached to a small portion of a wooden bowl. Also a thin brass button 11⁄4inch in diameter.

(c.)Articles made of Gold.

Finger-Rings.—On the 14th December one of the workmen while clearing out the refuse-heap turned up a curious spectacle-like ornament, made by twisting the ends of a thick and somewhat square-shaped gold wire into the form of a double spiral ring (Fig. 244). Upon close inspection it became evident that originally this article was a handsome spiral finger-ring, containing 51⁄2twists, but that, from some means or other, two of the twists had been forced apart from theothers. The direction of certain scratches, and a slight mark as if a blow had been struck (probably the spade of the finder), seem to me to confirm this explanation. It lay buried half-way down in the midden, close to the base of the large parapet in front of the entrance to the area of the log-pavement. It weighs 300 grains, and its internal diameter measures a shade over5⁄8of an inch. On the 16th April, while clearing away the soil on the west side of the crannog, a few feet to the inner side of the inner circle of piles, another spiral ring was found (Fig. 245). It is made of round gold wire, not quite so massive as the former, and contains rather more than six twists. Both ends taper slightly, and, for nearly a whole twist, are ornamented by a series of circular grooves which gives them some resemblance to the tail end of a serpent. The colour of the gold of this ring is a brighter yellow than that of the former. Its internal diameter is exactly5⁄8of an inch, and its weight is 245 grains. Both rings were quite clean, and free from all tarnish when exposed.[37]

Fig. 244.Gold Finger-Ring (1⁄1).

Fig. 244.

Gold Finger-Ring (1⁄1).

Fig. 245.Gold Finger-Ring (1⁄1).

Fig. 245.

Gold Finger-Ring (1⁄1).

Coin.—Mr. Robert Dunlop, iron-moulder, a native of Kilmarnock, but now residing at Airdrie, happened to visit his friends at the beginning of the year, and hearing of the discoveries at the Buston crannog, took the opportunity of visiting it. It was not, however, idle curiosity that prompted him, but a true spirit of inquiry, which often ere now led him to wander abroad as a humble student of nature, and on one occasion even as far as the famous Kent's Cavern. Being a Science teacher in Chemistry he was desirous of securing specimens of the different forms of vivianite, and so picked up from amidst a mass of broken bones and ashes that had just been wheeled from the midden, a lump of a bluish pasty substance, thinking it to be the amorphous form of this mineral. He carried this lump home with him for the purpose of analysing it, but, owing to other duties, was unable to do so till some three months afterwards. Having then taken a portion of the bluish mass, he mixed it with water in a test-tube, and on proceeding to dissolve it, noticed a yellow speck in this blue material. Curious to know whatthis could be he emptied the tube of its contents, and found what seemed to be a small gold coin doubled up. The slightest effort to restore the coin to its proper shape detached the portions, and almost at the same moment each portion separated into two thin plates. Mr. Dunlop then observed that between the two plates there was a layer of a dark brittle substance which he most judiciously collected into a small glass tube for further analysis. Having then carefully cleaned the four little plates with a weak solution of nitric acid, he had the satisfaction, on putting them together, of restoring the shell of an antique coin, which, as will be seen from Fig. 246, retains its impressions and characters on both sides wonderfully distinct. This valuable contribution to the collection I received at once from its discoverer, as well as the above narrative of its discovery.

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