Sibertswold Downs Grave 101

Middle-sized tumulus; grave three feet and a half deep. The coffin did not appear to have passed the fire, but seemed to have been very thick; the bones were almost gone. Near the neck was a beautiful fibula subnectens of silver, gilt and filigreed with gold, and set with garnets, etc. [M 6491]; seventeen amethysts; one large bead; twenty-four small beads; a small ivory pin [M 6492]. Here was also, but much lower down, the blade of a knife; and an instrument of brass [M 6453], exactly like the iron one described in the last number and at No. 18, except that the ringle belonging to this is lost, and that this is not so long as the former. I am fully convinced that this instrument was used solely by the women; for though I have at different places met with several of them, I never found them but in women's graves. And as all of them which have hitherto come into my hands have been of iron, and consequently, on account of their very great imperfections caused by the rust, which totally disguises and spoils everything made of this metal, by no means fit to be preserved in a cabinet, I think myself very lucky in having at last found one of them which is made of a much neater and more durable substance. A woman's grave.