Kingston Down Grave 137

Tumulus and grave much as the last. Bones very much decayed; the coffin was much burnt, and appeared to have been very thick. The head of a pilum, on the left side: six small and slender brass staples, adhering to a piece of rotten wood; they are all of them clenched at their points. An urn of coarse red earth [M 6182];[1] it contains about a pint; it was found a little before we came to the skeleton; so, I imagine, it either was placed on the lid of the coffin (which, however, I never observed before), or was disturbed when the grave of this person was dug, and afterwards flung in upon him. Here were also the blades of two knives, and some nails and other bits of iron.[1]The archaeologist who is familiar with Roman pottery, will observe in this example of Saxon manufacture, and in the varieties given in plate 20, peculiarities which distinguish them from the Roman prototypes, of which they are degraded copies. They want the graceful form of the Roman, the ornamentation is less tasteful, and the material is very inferior. These leading characteristics of the Saxon pottery are accompanied by the influence of local fashion, as comparison with specimens from different parts of the country will readily shew. – C.R.S.