stand is supported by four columns represented as consisting of logs, lying one upon the other. The roofs are unfortunately wanting. The sides are ornamented with the double spiral so characteristic of the Bronze Age.
In North Germany and Denmark also urns have been discovered somewhat resembling that in fig. 79. In some cases the "door" is in the roof. Dr Lisch considers that these last urns are the earliest, and represent a form of dwelling even more ancient than those in which the door is in the side. To me, I confess, it seems more probable that these urns belong to a later period, when the representation of the dwelling was more conventional, and the resemblance consequently less.
Fig. 80.—Urn apparently representing a lake-dwelling. In the Munich collection.
Many of the dwellings in use during the Bronze Age were no doubt subterranean or semi-subterranean. On almost all large tracts of uncultivated land ancient villages of this character may still be traced. A pit was dug, generally from 6 to 16 feet in diameter, and the earth which was thrown out formed a circular wall, the whole being then probably covered over with boughs.
True hut circles, however, occur in many places. In Anglesea a group of such have been well described by the Honourable Owen Stanley.[1]
On Dartmoor and elsewhere, where large blocks of stone abounded, the natives saved themselves the trouble of excavating, and built up circular walls of stone. In other cases, perhaps when concealment was an object, or for use in severe weather, the dwellings were entirely subterranean.
- ↑ On Remains of the Ancient Circular Habitations in Holyhead Island, by the Hon. W. O. Stanley, M.P.
