Annual report of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society

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i

2 3 MAY

ANNUAL R

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

YORKSHIRE

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

FOR THE YEAR

j j y x r .. ' •

1951

PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING,

7th APRIL, 1952.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL.

"|"HE interests of THE YORKSHIRE MUSEUM are primarily
devoted to Natural History and Archaeology. Its fine
collections cater not only for the general public, but also for specialist
students in these two branches of cultural activity.

The Keeper would be interested to hear at all times of collections,
large or small, which other institutions or private persons may
have for disposal, and which could be used to extend the educational
facihties already afforded the archaeologist, systematist and
biologist at THE YORKSHIRE MUSEUM.

Cbe Yorkshire U>btlosopbtcal Society.

(Founded 1822.)

Patroness :

HER MAJESTY QUEEN MARY.

Trustees :

The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarbrough, K.G.

The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Feversham, D.S.O.

Sir Francis W. Terry, J.P.

George A. Auden, M.D., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.C.P., F.S.A.
Geoffrey Thompson, M.A., F.S.A.

Col. Xnnes N. Ware, O.B.E.

Officers for the Year 1952:

President :

The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarbrough, K.G.

Vice-Presidents :

Sir Francis W. Terry, J.P.

J. L. Brockbank, M.A.

E. Wilfred Taylor, C.B.E.,
F.R.M.S.

A. Wentworth Ping, M.A.

H. E. Harrowell, O.B.E. , J.P.
Geoffrey Thompson, M.A.,
F.S.A.

K. E. T. Wilkinson, B.A.,

LL.B.

J. B. Morrell, J.P.

Gerald S. Hughes, F.R.C.S.,

jp-

Rev. Angelo Raine, M.A.
Mrs. Derwas Chitty, M.A.,
F.S.A.

J. F. E. Gelson Walker,
M.A.

Council :

J. Stuart Syme, F.R.I.B.A.,
F.S.A.

Lt.-Col. Sir Charles
Richmond Brown, Bart.

Sir William A. Worsley,
Bart., J.P.

Lt.-Col. Sir John Dunning-
ton-Jefferson, D.S.O. , J.P.

Rev. J. S. Purvis, D.D.,
F.S.A., F.R.Hist.S.

F. E. Harrison, O.B.E.
Noel G. Terry, M.B.E., J.P
B. X. Jessop, M.A.

Lt.-Col. C. H. Grey, D.S.O.
Arthur Smith.

Mrs. A. L. Kennedy.
Herbert Read, D.S.O., M.C.
D.Litt., M.A.

Hon. Treasurer :

F. E. Harrison, O.B.E.

Hon. Secretary :

Stephen Harland, M.A., LL.B.

2

Committees :

General Purposes and Finance Committee :

J. L. Brockbank.

F. E. Harrison.

H. E. Harrowell
Gerald S. Hughes.
B. X. Jessop.

J. B. Morrell.

A. Wentworth Ping.
Geoffrey Thompson.

K. E. T. Wilkinson.

Sir William A. Worsley,
Bart.

Garden Committee :

*

Col. C. H. Grey. A. Wentworth Ping.

J. L. Brockbank. Noel G. Terry.

Sir Charles Richmond Brown, Arthur Smith.

Bart. K. E. T. Wilkinson.

Gerald S. Hughes.

Museum Committee :

Sir Charles Richmond
Brown., Bart.

Mrs. Derwas Chitty.
A. A. Dallman.

D. Drummond.

J. H. Elliott.

Col. C. H. Grey.

F. E. Harrison.

A. Wentworth Ping.
Rev. Dr. J. S. Purvis.
Arthur Smith.

J. Stuart Syme.

E. Wilfred Taylor.
Geoffrey Thompson.

J. F. E. Gelson Walker.

Library Committee:

R. Doherty. Rev. Dr. J. S. Purvis.

Mrs. Payne. Arthur Smith.

F. E. Harrison.

The President, the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer are
ex-officio members of all Committees.

3

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

FOR 1951. '

1951 has seen progress in most departments of the Yorkshire Museum.

In the department of Vertebrate Zoology, the Bird Room has been re¬
organized, and was opened in April by the Rev. Canon C. E. Raven. The thanks
of the Society are especially due to Mr. Adam Gordon, of Duncombe Park, for
twenty specimens of Yorkshire birds which he has mounted, and for a number
of bird skins which he has prepared.

In the Entomological department* a commencement has been made to
unite the various coleoptera and hymenoptera collections. Many specimens
have been identified for outside enquirers.

In the Botanical department, all the British specimens have been re¬
mounted and are to be incorporated in the near future. Some critical plants
still remain to be named, but all the more ordinary plants are now named. All
the botanical collections have been examined during the year. Throughout the
year the wild flower table has been a source of interest and more than 600
species of the British flora have been exhibited. The thanks of the Society are
due to Miss C. M. Rob, F.L.S., for her work in this department.

In the Geological department the thanks of the Society are due to Mr. J. A.
Dell, M.Sc., who has sorted those of the type specimens which lost their labels.
The work of boxing our enormous fossil collections continues. The present
state of the geological collections should cause the Society concern. It is
perhaps the finest collection outside London, Oxford and Cambridge. There is
a life’s work for two full-time professional geologists on this collection, and we
urgently need an offer from some competent person to act as honorary curator
in this department. These collections, properly arranged and cared for, could
become a geological museum for the North of England.

In the Archaeological department the most notable event has been the
excavation by Mr. L. P. Wenham, M.A., of part of the Roman Cemetery on the
Mount. All the finds from this site have been treated and repaired in the
Museum by the Keeper. A notable addition has been the Anglian gold ring
found on the site of the present Glass Factory in Fishergate, presented on
behalf of the late H. E. Leetham, Esq., J.P., by his daughters, Mrs. Ethel
Robinson, Mrs. Constance Terry and Mrs. Kathleen Terry. The loan of the
Morfitt Collection by the East Riding County Council has added some important
Iron Age finds to the collections. In the Prehistoric section the thanks of the
Society are due to Mr. T. C. M. Brewster, of Flixton, for the loan of his pre¬
historic collection.

In the medieval section, the architectural gallery has been largely cleared,
though a great deal remains to be done. The booklet on the statues from St.
Mary’s Abbey, by Dr. Marcouse, lias been published by the Society, and has
been widely acclaimed. It is worthy of note that whereas the Museum has been
asked for copies of this booklet from all over England and from America, the
sales in York, and especially among members of the Yorkshire Philosophical
Society, have been disappointing.

4

The Ormside Bowl, perhaps the Museum’s greatest treasure, has been re¬
stored and cleaned, and has been lent for three months to the British Museum.
The exhibition in London has been greatly appreciated, and photographs have
appeared both in the Illustrated London News and in The Times.

In the Hospitium and in the Central Hall there has been re-arrangement
and cleaning.

The Ceramic collections have been enriched by a superb early Meissen Tea
Service presented by Col. and Mrs. C. H. Grey.

An important addition to the Numismatic collection has been two coins of
King Edgar ’with privy marks hitherto unrecorded.

The Report for 1951 would not be complete without a reference to the
Festival. The background of St. Mary’s Abbey will be an unforgettable memory
to the thousands of spectators who attended the Mystery Plays.

Notwithstanding the many and varied activities mentioned above, this is
no time for complacency. The Council realize that there is a great deal of
leeway to make up both in the general arrangement of the Museum and in its
finances, and they confess to a feeling of deep anxiety with regard to its future.
Our Society was founded very many years ago to forward the interest of science,
but since then many associations of a learned nature have been founded, all
competing with us and with each other, and probably some system of co¬
operation will have to be considered. Our own Society, principally through
lack of funds, has not kept pace with the advancement of knowledge, and we
shall have to consider its future with great care, and the Council now has this
matter under urgent consideration. In the realm of finance, the Society is not
receiving the support to which its age and importance entitles it, and we would
urge on all our members their duty to secure new members, and those with
specialized knowledge of the various branches of study to volunteer their
services.

FINANCE

The accounts show a balance of excess of ordinary expenditure over
ordinary income of £208 9s. 7d., but a balance of income over expenditure of
£70 14s. 7d. when items peculiar to the year are included: this latter figure is
comparable with £19 11s. 5d. for the previous year, 1950.

The expenditure for the year was increased on account of a rise granted on
certain salaries and wages, and by the rise in price of materials, and the income
was considerably increased by the occurrence of the Festival.

MEMBERSHIP

There were 36 new members for the year 1951, and deaths and resignations
numbered 31. There has thus been a net increase of 5, and the membership on

31st December, 1951, was:

Honorary Members ... ... ... ... 22

Members ... ... ... ... ... 349

Lady Subscribers ... ... ... ... 5

Associates ... ... ... ... ... 2

Student Members ... ... ... ... 4

Ticket Holders ... ... ... ... 48

430

O

This Report would not be a true reflection of the year’s work without a
reference to the activities of our Keeper, Mr. Willmot. He is faced with an
incredible amount of renovation and reorganization of the Society’s collections
which he has faced with courage and determination, and we record our confi¬
dence in his ability to meet and overcome the difficulties which face us.

Meteorology. — Honorary Curator, Mr. A. Wentworth Ping, M.A.,

F.R.Met.Soc.

Recorder, Mr. A. Colley.

Statistics of Station: Longitude 1° 5' W. ; Latitude, 53 57' X.; height
above mean sea level, 56 feet.

Rainfall. Rain or snow fell to the amount of 31.10 inches as against
26.96 inches for 1950, an increase of 4.14 inches, and 6.68 inches above the
average of 24.42 inches for the preceding 50 years. The wettest months of the
year were August 5.74 inches and November 5.26 inches. The driest months
were April 0.87 inches and June 1.08 inches. The heaviest fall of the year
occurred on 6th August when 1.66 inches was recorded.

Temperature. Temperature ranged from 78.° F. on 1st July to 22 : F. on
29th January; the range of temperature for 1951 being 56 c F. as against 69 : F.
for, 1950.

The mean temperature for the year (mean of max. and min.) was 48.6' F.
as against 49. 3; F. for 1950. July gave the highest mean with 61.5° F., then
August with 58.9 : F. January and February were the lowest with 37.7 F. and
38.5° F. respectively.

Barometer. A mean pressure of 1010.9 millibars (29.85 inches) (1000
millibars =29. 531 inches of mercury) at M.S.L. (corrected for diurnal variations)
has been recorded as against 1012.2 millibars (29.89 inches) for 1950. February
gave the lowest mean of the year, 999.8 millibars (29.52 inches). October was
highest, 1020.8 millibars (30.14 inches). The highest reading of the barometer
was taken on 12th December, 1032.7 millibars (30.50 inches), and the lowest on
5th February 963.3 millibars (28.45 inches), all readings corrected to M.S.L.

The extreme range was, therefore, 69.4 millibars (2.05 inches) as compared
with 56.8 millibars (1.67 inches) in 1950.

\ Winds. Observations of winds show that during 1951 “strong” winds
(force 4 — 8 Beaufort Scale) were recorded on 63 days as against 65 in 1950. The
winds observed at 9 a.m., G.M.T., were W. 64; S.63; SAV. 58; S.E.54; N.W. 54;
N. 32; N.E. 27; E. 13.

Thunder, Snow and Hail. Thunder was heard on 10 days as against 14
in 1950; snow or sleet fell on 18 days as against 17 days, and hail was recorded
on 4 days as against 7 days the previous year.

Sunshine. Sunshine recorded at Bootham School amounted to 1331.5
hours as against 1338.5 hours in 1950, a decrease of 7 hours. The daily mean
was 3.65 hours.

6

THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

31st Dec., 1950.

£ s. d.

42757 0 2
3i I5 n

278 17 2

1098 13 4

477 2 6

LIABILITIES.

Capital Account.

Balance- at 1st January, 1951

Subscriptions paid in advance ...

^ s. d. £ s. d.

42757 0 2

50 0 3

Sundry Creditors

REORGANISATION FUND ACCOUNT

( Now transferred to Income and Expenditure
Account)

Income and Expenditure Account :

Balance at 1st January, 1951

Add: — Excess of Income over Expenditure
for the year ...

Balance of Re-organisation Fund Account at
1st January, 1951 ... .

384 16 4

Deduct : — Expenses chargeable
against the Re-organisation
Fund to 31st December, 1951

Suspense Account:

Ellis Collection, written off ...

35 St. Olave’s Road, written
back ...

110 13 4

265 10 9

1250 0 0

477 2 6

70 14 7

1098 13 4

1646 10 5

1626 4 1

Midland Bank, Limited (Overdraft)

20 6 4

245 11 4

£44643 9 1

Carried forward

^43457 14 5

7

BALANCE SHEET, AT 31st DECEMBER, 1951.

31st Dec.,
£ s-

1950.

d.

1230 o

o

10183 8 9

2500 o
7967 11
1509 8

o

o

10

8000 o o

617 13

2000 O

5

o

ASSETS.

Freehold Property and Land.

(Not valued for the purpose of this Balance Sheet)

Museum Gardens and Museums.

32 and 34, Bootham (Tempest Anderson
Bequest).

Manor Cottage
St. Mary’s Lodge.

Baths Cottage, Mary gate.

10 Bootham.

At Cost.

35 St. Olave’s Road

Investments

TEMPEST ANDERSON BEQUEST (At Cost).

£10,271 Is. 8d. 3i% War

Stock . 10183 8 9

Add: — £1181 9s. Od. Purchased

during year ... ... 1000 0 0

£ s. d. £ s. d.

£2,500 York Corporation 2^% Loan
£12,876 13s. 8d. 3% Treasury Stock
£1,649 6s. 9d. 3^% Conversion Stock

£8,000 Mortgage, Ings Property Company Ltd.

40/

X/Q ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

£621 7s. 2d. British Electricity 3% Guar¬
anteed Stock 1968/73

£2,000 2 \% Defence Bonds ...

11183 8 9

2500 0 0

7967 11 0

1509 8 10

8000 0 0

617 13 5

900 0 o

7377 5 o

At Conversion Value on 1st January, 1948.

£900 Rotherham Corporation Mortgage at 3%

£7,377 5s. Od. British Transport 3% Guar¬
anteed Stock 1978/88

900 0 0

7377 5 0

85 6 8 10

250 o o

500 0 o

81 11 8

RAWDON BEQUEST (At Cost).

£935 17s. lOd. 3^% Conversion Stock

ST. QUINTIN BEQUEST (At Cost).

£247 11s. 2d. 3^% Conversion Stock

WM. DOVE BEQUEST (At Cost).

£500 3% Defence Bonds

Note — Market value at 31st December, 1951 — £38,513 5s. Od.

Sundry Debtors .

Cash at Bank —

68 9 11 York County Savings Bank

Midland Bank, Limited: — -
95 4 4 Capital Account \..

49 14 10 Current Account

42661 13 10

856 8 10

250 0 0

500 0 0

41661 15 10

82 2 9

1095 4 4

213 9 1

£44206 16 7

1095 4 4

Carried forward...

£42839 2 11

8

THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
LIABILITIES.

31st Dec., 1950.

i s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £_ s. d.

44643 9 1 Brought forward ... ... ... ... ... 43457 14 5

44643 9 1

43457 14 5

FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES.

WM. REED BEQUEST.

Balance at 1st January, 19oA ... ... ... 676 3 4

Less : — Excess of Expenditure over Income for

the year ended 31st December, 1951... 1 1511

676 3 4 - 674 7 5

H. J. WILKINSON MEMORIAL FUND.

233 o 3 Balance at 1st January, 1951 ... ... ... 205 1 6

Add:- — Creditors for Expenses at

31st December, 1951 ... ... ... S 4 8

233 o 3 213 6 2

Less:- — Excess of Expenditure over Income for
27 18 9 the year ended 31st December, 1951... ... 11 411

205 1 6 - - — — — — 202 1 3

£45524 *3 21 £44334 3 1

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF

We have examined the foregoing Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Accounts with
have verified the Cash Balance and Investments.

8, Coppergate, York.

6th February, 1952.

BALANCE SHEET, AT 31st DECEMBER, 1951 — continued.

9

ASSETS.

31st Dec. 1950.

£ s. d. £ s. d.

44206 16 7 Brought forward ....

iyi 1 9 Payments in Advance ...

Stock of Museum Publications No. 1

(At Cost) ... ... ... ^

— Less: — Sales to 31st December, 1951

Stock of Coke on Hand at 31st December,

1951. (Estimated)

265 10 9 Suspense Account ( Ellis Collection )

44643 9 1

a

£ s. d. £ s. d.

42839 2 11

155 5 0

355 17 6

17 11 0

338 6 6

125 0 0

43457 14 5

FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES.

WM. REED BEQUEST (At Cost)

650 o o £579 12s. 5d. 4% Consolidated Stock (at cost) 650 0 0

Note: — Market Value at 31st December, 1951 = £518 15s. 2d.

26 3 4 Cash at Midland Bank, Ltd. ... ... ... 24 7

676 3 4 - - —

H. J. WILKINSON MEMORIAL FUND.

183 o o ^164 8s. 6d. 4% Consolidated Stock (at cost) 185 0 0

Note:— Market Value at 31st December, 1951 = £147 3s. 2d.

20 i 6 Cash at Midland Bank Ltd. ... ... ... 17 1 3

205 1 '6 - - 202 1 3

5

- 674 7 5

£ 45524 13 n ^44334 3 1

THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

the Books and Vouchers of the Society, and certify the same to be in accordance therewith. We

PULLEYN, CREER & CO.,

Chartered Accountants

10

Br.

THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. INCOME

31st Dec., 1950.

£ s. d. £ s. d.

1616 5 9

920 6 6

80 12 o
101 3 4

109 15 2

2828 2 9 -

EXPENDITURE.

£ s- d £ s. d.

To Salaries and Wages :

Museums ... ... ... ... ... 2186 11 9

Lodge and Gardens ... ... ... 986 9 6

Staff Pension ... ... ... ... 80 12 0

National Health and Unemployment Insurance 119 13 7

Superannuation (Employers’ Contribution) 93 11 9

- 3466 18 7

99 8 7

279 7 2

87 19 3

To Maintenance of Properties and Land :

Rent and Rates ... ... ... ... 101

Heating, Lighting and Water

Less: — Stock of Coke at 31st
December, 1951

Museum — Repairs

£ s. d.

463 15 7

125 0 0

- 338

. 118

18

15

19

0

7

7

281 8 6

85 7 o
23 6 11

238 11 6

628 13 11 -

1095 8 11

General Expenses :

Museums
Gardens ...
Bowling Green ...
Estate

£ s. d.

168 14 2

137 4 9

7 113
210 17 0

- — 524 7 2

- 1084 0 4

165 7 6

62 12 9

71 3 1
299 3 4 - - -

To Miscellaneous Expenses :

Books, Printing and Stationery
Insurance

Telephone and Postages

156 16 5
64 10 5

86 5 0

- - 307 11 10

6 10 3

To Lectures —

Fees and Expenses

46 19 3

To Additions :

25 jo 8 Library
— Museum ...

25 10 8 -

51 15 11
13 5 0

- 65 0 11

256

To Bank Charges (Net)

6 2 0

To Balance being Excess of Ordinary Income
over Ordinary Expenditure for the year
19 11 5 carried down

£4276 12 10

19 n 5
£19 n 5

£4976

12

11

To Balance brought down ...

20S

9

7

To Extraordinary Expenditure (Gardens) —

Additional Planting

66 0 0

Livestock (Pea fowl)

18 10 0

84

10

0

To Balance being Excess of Income over

Expenditure for the year carried to

Balance Sheet ...

70

14

7

£363

14

2

11

AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 31st December, 1951.

Gr.

Dec., 1950.

INCOME.

s. d. £

s.

d.

By Subscriptions (including Arrears) :

£

s.

d.

707

11

4

Members

661

11

4

6

0

0

Country Members

9

0

0

« 6

0

0

Lady Subscribers

6

0

0

2

0

0

Associates ... ... ... ... ...

2

0

0

—

Student Members

1

10

0

45

15

0

Ticket Holders ( less Refunds)

56

5

0

98

12

6

Keys of Gates

Income Tax Refunds under Deed of

94

7

6

—

Covenant, 1949/50...

84

6

6

86

15

7

1950/51

92

10

3

952 14 5-

1579

16

29 6 o

16 19 9

277 19 4-
244 7 &

1080 14 1

7

1

79 3

Note. — Subscriptions in arrear for 1951 amount to £28 14s. 6<±,
but are not included in these accounts.

By Bowling Green :

27

i5

0

Members’ Subscriptions

28

10

0

1

11

0

Locker Rents, Green Fees, etc.

1

1

6

By Donations :

—

Members

24

14

0

10

5

0

York Corporation — Meteorological Grant

10

5

0

6

14

9

Sundries

1

1

0

By Rents :

65

0

0

St. Mary’s Lodge

65

0

0

3i

13

4

Manor Cottage

40

0

0

28

12

0

Baths Cottage, Marygate

28

12

0

40

0

0

35, St. Olave’s Road

40

0

0

25

0

0

Shop, No. 10 Bootham

30

0

0

67

10

0

32 & 34, Bootham (Tempest Anderson Bequest)

67

10

0

5

0

0

York Diocesan Training College — Boat Yard

5

0

0

15

0

0

York Waterworks Co. — Shed

15

0

0

0

4

0

Wayleaves and Sundries

0

4

0

1210 14 4

32 15 o

8 13 2

15 o 0

20 O O

292 4 10

4-

5

o

By Letting of Lecture Hall and Rooms
By Gate Money

By Dividends and Interest:

Tempest Anderson Bequest
Rawdon Bequest
St. Quintin Bequest
William Dove Bequest
Arthur Hurst’s Annuity
Income Tax recovered (1950/51)

By Publications

By Superannuation Refund

1207 7 10

32 15 0

8 13 2

15 0 0

10 15 0

301 4 11

£ s. d.

1007 10 7

29 11 6

36 0 0

291 6 0

170 19 0

1628 12 11

1575 15 11
28 7 5

U276 12 10

By Balance being Excess of Ordinary
Expenditure over Ordinary Income for

the year carried down

208 9 7

£"4976 12 11

By Extraordinary Income

York Festival

363 14 2

J9 a 5
£19 a 5

£ 363 14 2

By Balance brought down

FUNDS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

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13

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

1 95 L

A BRONZE AGE BEAKER FROM STANTON, SCARBOROUGH, YORKS.,

AND A NEW LOCAL BEAKER COMPLEX
By T. C. M. Brewster.

The circumstances which led to the discovery of the Beaker are not without
interest. One afternoon in 1943, Mr. T. E. Newham, of Scarborough, who
operated a sand quarry, or pit as it is locally called, at Staxton, was on the point
of leaving the site when a fall of sand from the “face” attracted his attention,
at the same time a barrel-shaped object became detached from the wave of
1 debris and crashed against a stone. On investigation this turned out to be a
crude pot, which he took home and cared for until after the War. No bones were
observed at the time, neither was a grave-hollow visible. If the vessel had been
associated with a burial it is possible that the skeleton may have become
buried in the “fall”. Newham’s Pit, where the find was made, is located in a
fork formed by the Filey to York road at Spital Corner, Staxton, East Riding of
Yorkshire. The find spot was situated upon a low hill formed by one of the
many beds of sharp sand and chalk chips laid down by the local glacial melt¬
waters, and lying between the carrlands and the Wold foot. The average depth
of the deposit is about 20 ft. underlaid, generally, by boulder clay and overlaid
by a covering of sandy loam, which varies in thickness from six inches to ten
feet. Unfortunately the exact provenance of the Beaker is not known, but from
measurements made since, the position can be calculated to be between 75 — -80
yards E.S.E. of the Spring Head marked on the O.S. 6 inch Sheet CIX. N.E.

14

Due to the Beaker hitting a stone when it fell, a large fragment was broken
off from the wall and the rim, this fortunately was in one piece and has now been
replaced. At the same time the base and the remainder of the lip received some
abrasions, and the walls as a result have become slightly warped and cracked.
Little restoration, however, was necessary and the specimen is now nearly in its
original condition. In colour the fabric varies from buff, to buff with reddish
tones. Portions of crushed flint are incorporated in the bisque which is fairly
hard and smooth. The height of the pot is 15.8 cms., the mouth 12.9 wide,
greatest width of the body 14.7 and the maximum diameter of the foot 8.6 cms.
As can be seen the shape is roughly biconical, the base is out turned and forms
a rough foot. It is possible that the Beaker, in common with some other
examples, was made in two parts, i.e., the bottom and top, this junction creates
an angle in the profile just below the midway line from base to rim, which is
turned outwards with a slashed cordon just below the lip. Decoration consists
of hyphenated lines executed with a square toothed comb or stick. Decorative
motifs carried out by this method commence just above the base, and consist
of three zones of asymmetrical chevrons separated by plain lines. Topping the
uppermost chevroned band is a “ladder” design, which is isolated from the
rim cordon by means of a single line. Vertical slashes cut the cordon at intervals
of about 5 cms. throughout the circumference, these incisions have been made
with a blade or finger-nail.

Parallels.

Appertaining to Abercromby’s type “B”, sub-group B2, the Beaker’s
fairly squat form, base and decorative detail, has several interesting parallels
and affinities in this country and the Continent. Two Beakers from Erith,
Kent,1 have the same basic outline, fabric and foot, less the cordon. This is
the case also with the “B” example from Weerseloo, Gelderland,2 which is
noticeably similar in many respects to the Staxton find. In addition the
Globose B2 from Felixstowe, and its parallel at Drenthe, Holland, have the
same fundamental decorated motifs and basal shape.3 Rim cordons are to be
found amongst others on the following Beakers: — Court Hill, Dairy,4 Ayrshire;
Sutton 268, Llandow Parish, Glam.; Penderyn, Brech.; Sutton Courtenay,
Berks.,5 and an example illustrated by Abercromby from Banff6, this latter
specimen, a corded Bl, can be matched with the B1 from Raindale, exhibited in
the Yorkshire Museum, York.7 A stray example from Egton, N.R. Yorkshire,
is illustrated by Elgee. In view of this data it can be seen that rim cordons are
on the whole not so uncommon, and are a feature of both Bl and B2 types.

Conclusions.

The ultimate source and inspiration of the Staxton example is to be
sought in the Netherlands and the Lower Rhine area, in the former of which
it has certain affinities. The “foot” is an interesting factor in this direction.
Rim cordons appear to be a feature of the Dutch and Lower Rhenish school,
especially of the first, where the “glockurne” with rim cordons occur, an example
of which was discovered in this country at Lion Point, Essex.8 B2 Beakers are
not exactly common in Yorkshire, and this example stands out clearly from the
rest of the material, and points to direct, or indirect Dutch influence in this
part of the East Riding.

A NEW BEAKER COMPLEX

It is worth noting that fragments of another “B” Beaker were discovered
a short distance away from the Staxton B2 in 1941 , and were sent to the British
Museum by Mr. E. R. Cross of Scarborough.9 Two other examples have been
found nearby, one a “B” Beaker; and burial at Flixton, was published
some years ago.10 The other a type "A” with a skeleton has come to light in
the last few years and will be shortly published.

Although many artifacts of the Bronze Age have occurred in the low-lying
marsh hills and the upper sandy or gravelly slopes of the Vale of Pickering, this
complex at the approaches to the Wolds is something new. Previously, Early
B.A. inhumations and, or, funerary vessels have only come to light on the hills
to the east, north and south of Staxton. One exception is the fragment of a
“B” Beaker from East Heslerton, recovered in similar conditions to the rest,
i.e., at the Wold base near a stream. 11

It should be noticed that the low sandy slopes and undulations at the

southern fringe of Pickering Vale would provide a suitable zone for occupation

in prehistoric times. The area could be easily traversed, there are suitable

springs and the soil can be cultivated and handled with ease; in addition the

land never becomes waterlogged or unduly damp. Furthermore the meres,

both large and small, and the scrub forest at their edges were doubtless rich in

game and wild fowl.12 So far the inhumations and pottery of the Beaker period

already mentioned have been concentrated near or around the springs which

rise through the sand. This no doubt is due primarily to the presence of a

permanent water supply, although there might be some religious significance.

The Staxton Beaker was presented to T. C. M. Brewster in 1950, and is now exhibited
in the Yorkshire Museum, York.

References.

1 Abercromby. B.A. Pot. Vol. I, 36 and 38.

2 “Die Becherkultur in Den Niederlanden’’, Oudheidkundige Mededulingen (Nieuwe
Recks XIV) 1933. My thanks are due to Mr. G. F. Willmot, who kindly lent his copy
of this journal which I had been unable to obtain elsewhere in this country.

3 Ibid. 86. Clark, Antiquity, 1931, p. 415.

4 Abercromby. B.A. Pot. Vol. I, 199.

5 Arch. 88.

6 Abercromby. B.A. Pot. Vol. I, 277.

7 Raindale, York Museum No. 1001.47

8 Lion Point, Essex. P.P.S. II. Fig.

9 This information was supplied through the kind offices of Mr. E. M. M. Alexander.

10 Ant. Journal, 1933.

11 Found by Master James Jefferson in 1950 on the low hill to the west of the Church.

12 Scarborough Evening News, 26th January and 8th February, 1951. T. C. M. Brewster.

A SPEAR FROM FLIXTON CARR, SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE

By T. C. M. Brewster

In the summer of 1946 a Middle-Late Bronze Age spear-head was discovered
in Flixton Carr, lying on the bank of a drainage dyke, which had recently been
cut in the peat. Mrs. G. W. Patrick, of Flixton, was responsible for finding the
specimen, and Mr. J. W. Moore brought it to the notice of the writer. Flixton

16

Carr is located at the eastern end of the vale of Pickering, north-east of Staxton
and south-east of Seamer. Formerly a mere covered the greater part of the
valley below Flixton, and it was the western, peaty, bed of this system from
which the find was retrieved. The exact place of origin is situated near a
plantation which lies north-east of Flixton Carr House Farm, and south-west
of Star Carr Bridge. Slightly to the north-east is the former channel of the
Hertford River.1

Fig. 2. (Scale £) Bronze Spear from Flixton Carr, Yorks.

Belonging typologicaily to the basal-looped Ilia series, the lance-head is
on the whole in good order, although heavily encrusted when found. Two small
pieces have been broken off in modern times from one of the cutting edges, and
the blade, about a quarter of the way down from the tip, had been twisted a
little when lost. In addition, a fault is apparent at the base of the socket. This
has the appearance of a rough peg-hole, but is doubtless a casting flaw. The
overall length is 28.7 cms., the maximrtm width across the blades, which are
slightly bevelled, 5 cms., and the distance from the loops to the blunted tip
20.3 cms. Greatest outside diameter of the socket is 2 cms. Approximate
weight before removal of the encrustation was 8 oz. The basal-loops, which
are nearly round in section, extend and break the curve of the blades for 8 mm.
beyond the base. A similar example, both in form and size, came from the
Maentwrog hoard.2

Type Ilia spears have a fairly wide distribution in the British Isles and
occur in some cases in Continental Europe, where they are possibly indications
of trade. The worn specimen from Liesbtittei3 and the broken example from
Wiesloch in Baden4 are instances of such finds. In Yorkshire they have been
found either complete or fragmentary in the following places: — Sheep, West
Bradford and Morley in the West Riding, Northallerton and Bainbridge in the
North Riding, and two more, one from the Wolds and the other from Holderness.
This list, though not complete, gives a rough indication of the distribution in
the immediate area of the Flixton discovery. Since the publication of Estyn
Evans’ article on the bronze spear-head in the British Isles5 it has been customary
to date the basal-looped group to the Late Bronze Age. But as Mahr suggested6,
and Childe7 and Cowen8 clearly argue, the development which led to the type
Ilia series is to be found in the Middle Bronze Age of this country, and not the
Late Bronze Age. The finding at Liesbtittei of a spear with basal-loops in a
Montelius II grave group, and the presence of rapiers and lance-heads of this
form in hoards found in this country, should be sufficient to date- the type to
Middle Bronze Age II and Late Bronze Age I.

Due to the heavy encrustation it was necessary to mechanically clean the
specimen and prevent, if possible, further decay. This has been done; so far
this action appears to be successful. The owner of the spear-head, Mr. G. W.
Patrick, of Flixton Carr House Farm, kindly presented it to T. C. M. Brewster.

17

Thanks are due to Mr. E. M. M. Alexander for his kindness in permitting
the examination of the British Museum Catalogue of Bronze Implements in the
search for new or otherwise unrecorded specimens.

References.

1 O.S. 6-inch Sheet CIX. N.E. Lat. 54 12 46. Lon. 0 25 42.

2 V. Gordon Childe. Prehistoric Communities. Fig. 53. II.

3 Mainzer Zeitschrift XXIX. Tafel IX. 2.

4 Ibid. Tafel IX. 5.

5 Arch. 83 (1933). Page 173.

6 P.P.S. III.

7 V. Gordon Childe. Prehis. Com. P. 171.

8 J. D. Cowen. P.P.S. XIV. Page 233.

2 3 MAY 1952

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sum of to be paid out of such part of my

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