Proceedings at the Meetings of the Archaeological Institute.
March 5, 1852.
Octavius Morgan, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Rev. T. Berkley Portman called the attention of the Society to the remains, traditionally known as the "British Town," situated in the parish of Ingram, Northumberland, on a gentle declivity of Hartside, one of the Cheviot range. The position is about 200 yards above the river Beamish. The circumvallation of the supposed town, together with the ways leading into it, is very distinct, as are also certain circles within, formed by large stones protruding through the turf, doubtless the vestiges of dwellings. It has been stated, although on uncertain authority, that within the last hundred years the walls were standing at a considerable height above the ground, but that they have been removed to form fences on the adjacent moorlands. Mr. Portman sent a plan of these curious remains, carefully made under the direction of J. C Langlands, Esq., of Old Bewick, Eglingham, Alnwick.
Mr. J. G. Croker communicated, through Mr. Tucker, an account of the discovery of two stone moulds, for casting bronze weapons, of which a short notice had been sent to the Bristol Meeting. Mr. Tucker at the same time presented to the Institute casts from these remarkable objects. The long, thin, double-edged weapons which the moulds would produce are not unfrequently found in Ireland, and several examples of analogous types have been laid before the Institute by Mr. Brackstone. We are not aware, however, that any bronze weapons precisely similar in form and dimensions have been found in England.
"The moulds were discovered by the clay men, in a field near the village of Knighton, in the parish of Hennock, near Chudleigh, Devon. The spot is two fields distant from the River Teign, in the delta formed by the junction of the Rivers Bovey and Teign. The moulds were found deposited above the clay of commerce, entire, i. e., both parts in due apposition, but they separated when moved. This is worthy of note, for as there was no adhering matter to keep them in apposition, it might be assumed that they had been placed or left in the position in which they were found; otherwise, being in the direction and course of the water-shed of the River Teign, which traverses a distance of twenty miles from Chagford, with a rapid current, it might be concluded that the force of the waters would have separated them.[1]
"The longest pair was placed vertically, almost in contact with the fine clay. The shorter pair was found in a horizontal position, in fine river or drift sand.
"It may be asked, was the casting from these moulds effected here, and, if so, at what period? for since the time they were so left an accumulation
- ↑ See De la Beche's Report on the Geology of Devon and Cornwall, p. 114, for an account of the locality.
