1884.140.85.2

Collection type

Object

Description

Rectangular wooden cover for entrance to model of 'underground structure to Langtoft Wold' [AFS [OPS move] 22/6/2018]

Long description

Rectangular wooden cover for entrance to model of 'underground structure to Langtoft Wold'. The object has a metal loop handle to aid removal in the centre on the top side. Underside has four lines parallel to the shorter sides, equally spaced apart and added in ink to represent flagstones. [AFS [OPS move] 22/6/2018]

Geographical reference

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

[England East Riding of Yorkshire Langtoft Langtoft Wold]

Person

Maker Alfred Lionel Lewis

Field collector Alfred Lionel Lewis

PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection

Date / Period

Archaeological period: Romano-British

Date collected

By 1881 May 11

Acquisition information

Donated: 1884

Materials and processes

Material Wood Plant, Material Metal, Material Ink, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Carved, Process Stained, Process Written, Process Bent

Dimensions

Height: max 12 mm, Width: max 22 mm, Length: max 62 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1884.140.85.2 PR no.: 646/ 12394

Research and responses

JR Mortimer is John Robert Mortimer (1825-1911) from Driffield, Yorkshire - who dug several barrows in the north of England. Since his name is written on the bottom of this object, I have added him to the 'other owners'. [Dan Hicks 16/08/2012]

According to the accession book the number 12394 suggests that this object was obtained via Anthropological Institute [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

It seems clear that this is the model referred to in a short article 'An underground structure at Driffield, Yorkshire, read by 'The Director' on 26 June 1877, published in the Journal of the Anthropological Institute, vol. 7 (1878), pp. 277-279. [NB it is not clear who wrote the report, or who the Director is]. [AP 15/08/2008] To answer the question raised by AP: John Evans was the President, and John Mortimer wrote the paper. In Nature (vol. 16 (402): 220), the meeting was reported as follows: "Mr John Evans, FRS, in the chair....A paper by Mr Mortimer on an underground structure near Langtoft, Yorkshire was read. Mr Mortimer considers it is not a Botontinus; in this opinion he is opposed by Mr J.E. Price FSA". [Dan Hicks 09/10/2012]

Alfred Lionel Lewis is discussed at http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/rpr/index.php/object-biography-index/1-prmcollection/265-model-monuments, an article written by Caroline Butler who studied these models whilst working in the museum for a short time. In the article she reports why she believes these models to be made by Lewis, and states: 'Alfred Lionel Lewis was clearly a keen anthropologist with a special interest in stone monuments, though a chartered accountant by profession. He joined the Anthropological Society of London in 1866 and from then until his death was highly active in various societies including the Anthropological Institute and British Association. (Brabook 1920) Indeed, it was this involvement that led to the paper on the Cornwall/Devon sites, “On attending the meeting of the British Association meeting at Exeter, (1869), I took advantage of being so far on the road to pay a visit to some of the megalithic and other remains in the southern extremity of Britain”. (Lewis 1872b, i) He was clearly known for his models as his obituary says “he made skilful models of many of the stone monuments he described”. (Brabook 1920)'. [AP 30/09/2010]

Search terms: Model