Antiq J 67

The 'Loughey' (Co Down) burial group contains glass beads and armlets whose composition is compared with that of glass material from Meare Lake Village. (XRF and electron-probe techniques of analysis were used.) The composition of the 'Loughey' glass is quite different from that of Meare, and it is suggested that glass raw materials were imported into Ireland from the Continent in 1st century BC. The 'Loughey' individual cannot now be considered necessarily a 'foreigner', and the date of burial was probably late 1st century BC or early 1st AD.

Geological and archaeological fieldwork located an important Iron Age and Roman quern quarry which supplied much of SE and S Midland England over seven centuries. Debitage from the site is described and the chronological development of its querns assessed in the light of material found on habitation sites. It is argued that production reached a peak in 1st century AD. Distributions in Iron Age and RB times are discussed.

Presents three letters, identified among the Sir John Clerk papers in Edinburgh, written by Stukeley in 1723-4 to his friend and fellow antiquary in Scotland. They reflect his many interests and his growing Druidomania.

Six new and two previously known sites on both sides of the Severn Estuary yielded RB pottery, mainly 2nd-4th centuries but with some Late IA/1st century AD sherds, as well as evidence of ironworking: Forest of Dean ores and tap slags are analysed in detail Glass being worked at Ley Pill had a potash-lime-silica composition rarely met before med times. The sites are on estuarine clays and debris was found in primary and other contexts. Relevant aspects of the geology and geomorphology are explained, some wetland drainage (?RB) is attested, and the navigability of the Severn as an RB trade route is examined. F B/Ed (See also 89/439.)

The pottery objects appear to be mould-made candlesticks or incense burners; the lead object is thought to be a patch for a samian bowl. F B

A small late Roman portable shrine containing a figure of Minerva. F B

A Thames foreshore find, possibly of antler, c 1330, from a large appliqué Holy Sepulchre group. FB