RICH ANTIQUARIAN FIND.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1919, Page 10

RICH ANTIQUARIAN FIND.

(By Special Correspondent of The Christ Jan Science Monitor.)

London, July 31. A discovery of immense interest and value has been made on a hill, called Traprain Law, lying between the East Lothian seaboard and the range of the Lammermoors, on Mr. Balfour's Whittingehame Estate. Legend associates the hill with Loth, the Celtic King, from whom the Lothians are said to have taken their name. The hill was occupied four times between the middle of the first and the opening of the fifth century of the Christian Era. It was I discovered that the first throe sets of inhabitants, who in no instance followed close upon each other, many years lapsing between-their occupations of the hill, which in the intervals, remained desolate, were Celts; who the fourth inhabitants were remained a mystery, but this discovery would seem to have solved their identity. ON MR. BALFOUR'S ESTATE. Before the war, discoveries had already been made at Traprain Law, but after 1915 they remained, until just recently, in abeyance, when they w%re recommended under the supervision of Mr. Curie, director of the Royal Scottish Museums. The latest discoveries were found a little outside one of the ovalshaped enclosures of stones which indicate the habitations of the four sets of people, already referred to. A pit, two feet wide and two feet deep, was uncovered, filled to the brim with metal vessels, which were immediately removed to Edinburg. On investigation, it was found that they were a rich collection of fourth century silver plate, evidently loot, as they were crushed and battered, destined for the melting pot. They are a miscellaneous collection of flagons, chalices, platters, bowls, and spoons, and one or two pieces of church furniture, the whole indicating that they were the spoils from one or more monasteries. It is thought that they must have been brought from abroad, as, though Roman fourth century plate, such as the famous Corbridge lanx, the same class to which these belong, has from time to time been discovered in England, it has been recognised as imported from abroad. In the* collection, there is one beautiful embossed cup with a picture of the Garden of Eden, a huge sefpent wound round a tree covered with fruit, and the figure of Eve; on the same cup is a representation of the Adoration of the Magi and the Miraculous Draft of Fishes.

FOURTH CENTURY COINS.

There is more than one example of the Chi-Rho monogram, one, a tiny strainer, has the holes with which it is pierced arranged so as to form the Chi-Rho monogram in the centre, and round the margin the words, "Jesus Christus." The same monogram is found on a richly decorated flash, with an inscription, "Prymiacoeisiapi," not yet interpreted; it is thought that it may reveal the name of tiie abbey to which the treasures belonged. They are two little coins giving the dates of the Emperor Valens, who reigned from 3<>4 to 378 A.D., and of his successor, Gratian or Honorius.

It is reported that there is little or »o sign of decadence in the craftsmanship of these discoveries. "One is face to face," writes Mr. George Macdonald in the Scotsman, "with the heritage of, Greece as bequeathed to the modern world of Rome." Some of the vessel! are inlaid with gold, some enameled, and in beauty of workmanship, grace, elaboration, and variety, it is felt that many of the designs could hardly be surpassed.

The loot was carried to Traprain Law from Gaul, and the question arises, who brought and buried them there? Neither Celts nor Lothians were pirates, nor would they have crushed and broken these vessels as has been done. Among the discoveries there are one or two articles of unmistakably Seutonic workmanship, a buckle, a silver fibula, and what appears to be a hand-mirror made of bronze. No objects of a similar kind have hitherto been found on the hill. It is therefore concluded that Friesian invaders had crossed the seas in search of plunder—they had already become a serious menace along the coast—and that they buried their loot here, doubtless with the intention of returning for it pt a more convenient season. This would seem to be the solution of the fourth occupation of the Traprain Law. "None of the little party of four," says the Scotsman, "who unpacked the boxes on the evening.of their arrival in Edinburg, are likely to forget the thrill of delighted surprise which it was their good fortune to enjoy." 7 Mr. Balfour stated some time Rgo that any discoveries made upon the estate would be the property of the nation, and it is hoped that very speedily the collection will be able to be placed on public view.