Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/198

140 ROMAN URNS DISCOVERED AT CHESTERFORD. ashes ; amongst which, on taking them out, there was discovered a small vase, of rather peculiar shape, slightly ornamented and made of very well baked clay, of a dark black colour. The accompanying representations give the forms of these fictile vessels as they were discovered : Anglo-Roman vessels discovered at Chesterford, Essex. The large urn is an oUa of black ware, and ornamented with circular rings, as shown in the woodcut. The dimensions of this vessel are as follows : — height, 9 inches ; diameter (mouth), 7 inches ; diameter (base), 3-|^ inches ; greatest diameter, 9 inches. It contained earth, ashes, and the small curious vessel already noticed. The precise position of this urn, as discovered within the larger vase, is indicated in the w^oodcut by a faint outline (as if the vessel were transparent). The "Samian" patera in its inverted position is seen, serving the purpose of a cover to the vase. The vase which was thus found in an inverted position, deposited amongst the ashes inside the former, is a small cup of fine black ware, very well fired, and ornamented with circular indented rings and dots, apparently made with the point of some instrument. The dimensions of this vessel are, — height, 3-J inches ; depth, 3 inches ; diameter (mouth), 2-L inches ; diameter (base), inch. Vases of this form appear to be of rather rare occurrence in England. The type is not given amongst the numerous Anglo-Roman Jidilia figured by Mr. Akcrman in his " ArcluTological Index." The form of the dish, or patera, of " Samian" ware, which