Sieveking, G. d G., ed. (1971). Prehistoric and Roman Studies.

TF 709365. Another torc from the Snettisham workshop was turned up by the harrow in 1965, two miles from the Snettisham finds. It is of multiple-strand type with a ring terminal decorated with curved ridges and matting pattern; in addition, small punch-marked bosses provide a clear link with the Snettisham torc and with the torc-terminal from Cairnmuir (Peeblesshire). The Sedgeford example has a serious crack on the underside of the terminal, repaired in antiquity by three rivets. Brief reference is made to the Ipswich torcs and an analytical table shows the incidence of Snettisham elements on other related objects. See 72/1171 for the Glascote torc.

Three fibulae from Hammersmith have led to the discussion of two classes of insular fibulae. The first, a "rear-finial" group, demonstrates a combination of continental and insular features rather like the Thames daggers studied by Jope. This fibula series should start in the 5th century BC, but may survive into the 1st, if the shape of the Datchet brooch is accepted as more than a coincidence. The second class is an insular La Tène I type of brooch, distinguished by its foot and bow profile and its tendency to have a pivoted pin located by a rod to a skeuomorphic spring, a feature perhaps derived from the rear-finial group. This second class includes a number of distinct "species" whose definition and interpretation require further study. However, it is possible that the class as a whole represents the absorption and transformation of different continental types by the native population. Au

A brief description of the shield with discussion of its origins and date, and a note on the making of an electrotype replica. The shield consists of a thin bronze facing, formerly fixed on wood, made in two sheets whose longitudinal join is concealed by a spine with elaborately modelled central umbo and terminal discs. Two main themes in the patterns are the whorl-leaf with strand at the tip, and the dot-ended vein line. There is no need to see the shadowy boar-figure as a relic of an earlier phase of use. The archaism and exotic nature of the themes in this important piece make it necessary to pick out the latest influences; these belong to late 3rd or 2nd century BC in the Alpine Celtic fringes. A similar structure, but with decoration of Eastern Celtic type, is seen on the Wandsworth shield boss. The neighbourhood of Lincoln would be a reasonable place of manufacture for the Witham shield, and the actual find-spot suggests funerary ritual in a boat. Appended is a technical description of the electrotyping process, in course of which further details of design and repair were seen.

Two sections of wall-paintings of 2nd century date, recovered during the 1956 excavations, are on loan to the British Museum where they have been reconstructed. One painting has red panels outlined with black pilaster strips below which is a black, yellow and purple dado. Each panel has a perching bird framed by two tall candelabra joined with delicate swags. A graffito appears like a child's attempt to copy the bird. Parallels for this wall have to be sought in Mediterranean contexts, though there is a rather similar wall at Winchester. The other frieze shows part of a peopled scroll (pheasants and ?panther masks) and is unique in Britain, though parts of the design appear in, for instance, Cirencester mosaics. See also pp 200-205, same volume, for technical details of conservation of the red-panelled frieze and also of the Lullingstone Villa plaster by P H T Shorer.

The well-known miniature bronze model repays close study for its technique of manufacture and the information it provides on the RB plough. The model was made in cire-perdu technique, but the finisher failed to remove a strip meant to support the raised arm and goad of the ploughman during moulding and casting. The figure is skilfully modelled to show a man thrusting on the plough, dressed in a woollen tunic, leggings and a hooded leather cape. The draught animals are a bull and a cow, probably signifying the performance of a religious ceremony. The yoke is shown in stylised form only, but the plough seems to be a bow-ard modified by means of a flanged share and detachable earth-boards and coulter. The 2nd-3rd century date previously proposed is still acceptable.

Although it is certain that the great majority of the RB population was pagan, there is plenty of literary and other evidence that Christianity became established here; moreover, major discoveries since 1939 indicate that many of the 4th century villa-owners were not only Christians but were in touch with the mainstream of Western Christian art. Eloquent proof lies in the Mildenhall Treasure, the Icklingham and other lead (?baptismal) tanks, the Lullingstone frieze and the Hinton St Mary pavement. The wealth and intellectual vigour of the aristocracy did not, however, lead them to proselytise the population at large. Indeed, the evidence of language and laws confirms that Roman Britain did not provide the conditions in which Christianity could make a wide impact. The eventual economic collapse of the villa-owners therefore saw the end, until the new missions, of Christianity in Britain.

Briard's 1965 publication of the Bignan (Brittany) series of bronze armrings prompts a reassessment of their S British counterparts. These have a very limited distribution in S Britain and are commonly associated with native ornaments or with palstaves (some of which are N French in origin). The form is annular or penannular; decoration (not always present, pace Briard) is arranged in complex geometric panels, very skilfully executed on the external face only of the rings. The ultimate source is the Ilmenau culture of NW Germany, traditions of which were further developed in N France. In Britain the associations are with decorated and undecorated pins, narrow-bladed looped palstaves and Rosnoën (= Lambeth) swords, all datable to beginning of 1st millennium BC. Elements of the Continental incised decorative style were borrowed by native British smiths, but in general the incised style was found inappropriate to the massive ornaments of insular taste.

TL 248336 and unlocated. The two rich La Tène III burials have much in common, not least their bronze-ornamented wooden buckets. The Baldock grave-goods were dispersed on discovery but later retrieved. Judging by the quantity and type of mountings there were originally two matching buckets in the grave, with handle-mounts shaped as human heads, bindings with stamped S-borders completely sheathing the vessel, and three bronze-clad feet. In the light of this reconstruction the Aylesford bucket can be re-examined. A complete stripping of the 1880 restoration has not yet been attempted, but it is possible that this bucket too was entirely bronze-clad and stood on three feet. Comparison of ornamental details lends support to the view that the Aylesford and Baldock buckets were made in Britain. Among burials of this type the bucket occasionally contained the cremation, though its original function must have been wine-mixing. Appended is a catalogue of the eight La Tène III burials with buckets. See also 72/1166.