DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4945#0222
Stone, Amber, Horn, Wood and Shell. 211
drying ivory. One specimen (xlvi. n) bears traces of silver solder in its bore.
The fact that, while some of these studs are not bored at all, the majority are
bored in what was obviously their tipper surface, which was deeply concave,
precludes the supposition that the objects either were fitted together in pairs
by pins inserted in their bores, or were pin-heads. Nor do they show other
signs of having been attached to, or parts of, larger objects. Some of these
studs bear a superficial resemblance to half-parts of the ivory astragali,
but, being single, they cannot be regarded as intended for the same
purpose. They may possibly have been pieces de jen—draughtsmen of
a sumptuousness suitable to the use of the goddess, and therefore dedicated
in her shrine. They were not found in the Basis, but were scattered here
and there in the lowest stratum both west and east of it. In case it should
occur to anyone that they were intended for magnifying or burning glasses,
it may be pointed out that they do not magnify, but reduce ; and that the
presence of bores containing ivory filling further precludes any such possibility.
Like many other crystal objects, these studs must have been turned on a lathe.
The largest of the studs (xlvi. 3) has the following dimensions : H. '017,
D. (top) "039, (base) "032. The smallest (xlvi. 11), H. -012, D. (top) "023,
(base) -oi/.
xlvi. 7- Thirteen objects were found, closely resembling half-parts of the ivory
' ' astragali, being bored on one side only, that side being in most cases
flattened, as if to fit against the side of another stud, to which it would be
linked by a peg of ivory or metal. Two facts, however, render the identi-
fication of these objects as halves of crystal astragali doubtful: (i) No two
specimens exactly correspond in every respect (i.e., in height, shape, etc.).
(2) Certain specimens lack the flattening on one side, and, since they have
spreading tops, could not have been fitted closely. All specimens but two
have flat bases and concave tops, like the studs in class A. Of the exceptions,
one has its base slightly less concave than its top; the other has both
surfaces flat.
Were it not for the distinction made in almost all cases between the two
ends, one being flat, while the other is concave, these objects might have been
regarded as pin-heads of hammer-head form, whose pin-shafts were inserted
in their bores. But, as it is, I can only conclude, in spite of difficulties, that
they are half-astragals, whose other halves have not been found.
The concave upper surfaces have bevelled rims and the sides are hollowed.
The largest specimen has these dimensions: H. '013, D. -017 ; the smallest,
11. "009, 1). •oil. [1 Basis: rest \V. and E. areas. |
2 E 2
drying ivory. One specimen (xlvi. n) bears traces of silver solder in its bore.
The fact that, while some of these studs are not bored at all, the majority are
bored in what was obviously their tipper surface, which was deeply concave,
precludes the supposition that the objects either were fitted together in pairs
by pins inserted in their bores, or were pin-heads. Nor do they show other
signs of having been attached to, or parts of, larger objects. Some of these
studs bear a superficial resemblance to half-parts of the ivory astragali,
but, being single, they cannot be regarded as intended for the same
purpose. They may possibly have been pieces de jen—draughtsmen of
a sumptuousness suitable to the use of the goddess, and therefore dedicated
in her shrine. They were not found in the Basis, but were scattered here
and there in the lowest stratum both west and east of it. In case it should
occur to anyone that they were intended for magnifying or burning glasses,
it may be pointed out that they do not magnify, but reduce ; and that the
presence of bores containing ivory filling further precludes any such possibility.
Like many other crystal objects, these studs must have been turned on a lathe.
The largest of the studs (xlvi. 3) has the following dimensions : H. '017,
D. (top) "039, (base) "032. The smallest (xlvi. 11), H. -012, D. (top) "023,
(base) -oi/.
xlvi. 7- Thirteen objects were found, closely resembling half-parts of the ivory
' ' astragali, being bored on one side only, that side being in most cases
flattened, as if to fit against the side of another stud, to which it would be
linked by a peg of ivory or metal. Two facts, however, render the identi-
fication of these objects as halves of crystal astragali doubtful: (i) No two
specimens exactly correspond in every respect (i.e., in height, shape, etc.).
(2) Certain specimens lack the flattening on one side, and, since they have
spreading tops, could not have been fitted closely. All specimens but two
have flat bases and concave tops, like the studs in class A. Of the exceptions,
one has its base slightly less concave than its top; the other has both
surfaces flat.
Were it not for the distinction made in almost all cases between the two
ends, one being flat, while the other is concave, these objects might have been
regarded as pin-heads of hammer-head form, whose pin-shafts were inserted
in their bores. But, as it is, I can only conclude, in spite of difficulties, that
they are half-astragals, whose other halves have not been found.
The concave upper surfaces have bevelled rims and the sides are hollowed.
The largest specimen has these dimensions: H. '013, D. -017 ; the smallest,
11. "009, 1). •oil. [1 Basis: rest \V. and E. areas. |
2 E 2