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A N C I E N T ROMAN SKULL.
FROM STONE SARCOPHAGUS AT YORK.
(TOEK,—^THE ROMAN EBVRACVM, EIKST TO FITTH CENTUKT A.D.)
Cranium from Stone Sarcophagus, Tork,—Quarter-size.
A b o t j t tlie year 1852, a stone sarcopliagus of the usual Roman form was discovered in
Mrs. Prest's garden, near the Mount outside Micklegate Bar, and therefore within the limits of
the great Roman cemetery of Ehuracum. It is somewhat remarkable from the circumstance
that the Kd with which it was covered had been made for another amd longer colim, and overstretches
the ends by nearly six inches at each extremity. The sarcophagus, which is about five
inches in thickness, is of gritstone, measures seven feet at the top outside, and slopes dowii, so
as to be six inches shorter at the bottom. The long thick stone lid is cut to slope down at each
side, like a roof, and was most securely fastened by strong iron cramps at each end. On the
removal of this heavy Ud, an adult skeleton was brought to light, immersed in water, which
seems to have acted as a means of preservation; for this skeleton is almost perfect. The sarcophagus
and skeleton are now in the grounds and rich Museum of the Yorkshire Philosophical
Society : the liberahty of the Council, and the kindness of the learned Curator of Antiquities,
we have to thank for permission to hthograph the cranium *. Beside the skeleton, there lay in the
coifln a remarkably fine armlet, made of a number of pieces of carved jet, and also some bronze
rings. In the immediate proximity to the sarcophagus a coin of Vespasian was found.
This is a fine large skull of a man who has attained the middle period of human life, probably
fifty years. His squarish face, with rather low quadrilateral brow, giving a short aspect to the
countenance, has been the model of an ancient Ptoman, such as we behold in the marble busts of
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* It is much to be desired that such an authentic skeleton
of an ancient Roman fomid in Britain, probably unique in its
state of preservation, should be articulated. It would form the
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sole example of such an osseous antiquity that we know of in this
country, alike interesting to science and saggestive of crowds
of thoughts of the once imperial masters of our Island.
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