Dryden has recorded the following particulars regarding this interment. "On the right side of its head lay a pair of bone ornaments two inches long, in shape four-sided cones, having on each side nine small engraved circles. At the small end of each is inserted an iron rivet, which is probably the remains of a hook for suspension, perhaps from the ear, by another brass ring. About the head were many fragments of thin brass (one part tin to seven parts copper) which when collected and put together form parts of two bands, the first of which is seven inches long and three-fourths wide, and has encircled the lower part of a leathern skull-cap. The edges of the leather and of this brass band were held together by a thin concave brass binding, in the hollow of which fragments of leather are still to be seen. On each side of the helmet, attached to the brass band, was an ornamental hinge for a chin-strap. Of the other band about 1 ft. 5 inches are existing, the whole of which is equal width, and one eighth narrower than the first. It was probably the binding of the edge of the helmet, where there would be a seam, or intended to encircle the helmet close above the other binding. On both these bands are rivets, which shew that the leather riveted was three sixteenths thick. Nothing else, according to my informants, was found with the skeleton." We are indebted for this curious relation to the interesting addition to the topography of Oxfordshire, compiled by Mr. William Wing[1], and regret that no representation of so singular a relic, which appears to have been precisely analogous to that communicated by Mr. Gomonde, should have been given. The urns found with and near to the skeleton at Souldern, as represented in Mr. Wing's history, from drawings by Sir Henry Dryden, are of a less rude character than the cinerary vessels of the earlier period. They resemble, in some striking particulars, the urns found in Nottinghamshire, and communicated to the Institute by Edward Strutt, Esq., M.P.[2]
Mr. Gomonde has subsequently reported another discovery of an interment near the same spot. A human skeleton of ordinary stature was exposed to view, which having been deposited in clay was much decayed by the moisture of the soil. A remarkable appearance, however, presented itself in the clay surrounding the skull, which was full of iron studs, sufficiently indicating that the head had been protected by a cap of singular construction, having been covered all over with these iron studs. Mr. Gomonde with this account forwarded one of these for examination. Nothing else was found with the skeleton, but in the adjoining field were found remains of red pottery and three coins of Constantine, now in his possession, and all the fields around appeared to afford indications of early occupation, by popular tradition connected with them, their names, and general appearances. Various kinds of pottery, coins and other relics, are constantly dug up near this locality.
- ↑ The Antiquities and History of Steeple Aston, compiled by Wm. Wing; Deddington, 1845. We may take this occasion of commending to the notice of those of our readers, who may be interested in such subjects this well-arranged and unpretending work, comprising much valuable information.
- ↑ Archæological Journal, p. 159 of this volume.
