[NZ 3108 8235]. Whilst dredging operations were in progress about 1890 in the R Blyth, at the spot now occupied by the High Ferry, a great number of skulls and horns of red deer were found together with a few bones of Bos Primigenius, two Brachycephalic skulls and the bronze blade of a rapier. The blade is 12.5ins long, has a max width of 2ins and a slight central mid-rib, it was originally held by 2 rivets - both of which have now been lost - it may be assigned to the Middle Bronze Age, now in the Black Gate Museum Newcastle. The human skulls are to be seen in the University Museum, Oxford (Nos 257,258 in the cranial colln), they, are also of the Bronze Age 'though it cannot be stated that the whole of the finds emanated from this period. Some inf plus :- at the same place [High Ferry] there was also found a bronze spear head, the socket was damaged, but the point perfect. Deer's horns and portion of skull from this site in possession of Viscount Ridley of Blagdon Hall. (1-3)

Bronze Age Rapier found in River Blyth near Monkey's Island. Donor Dr Trotter 1901 [Rapier is in case 7 Black Gate Museum Acc No 1901.10, note with exhibit). (4)

Monkey's Island, also known as Buck's Hill, was a small island that was removed many years ago when the port was being enlarged. [Site indicated is approx 250m north west of the High Ferry]. (b)

No further information discovered regarding the circumstances of these finds. Present location of finds as under:- (a) Bronze Age rapier as in Authority 2. (b) Bronze Age spearhead (Authority 1 (b)) - not ascertained. (c) Brachycephalic Skulls (Authority 1a) not confirmed. (d) Deer horns, animal bones etc not ascertained. The present Viscount Ridley has no knowledge of the finds mentioned in Authority 1c. (5)

Rapier with trapezoidal butt and two rivet holes, curved hilt-mark. 310mm long, 50mm wide. In Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle, 1901.10. (6)

The human skulls found in the 19th century and mentioned by the Northumberland County History and Ordnance Survey are recorded in a national gazetteer of bog bodies in the British Isles. These appear to have been found pre-1880 and crania with teeth and now located in the Natural History Museum SK 3115 and SK 3116. Both skulls are of adults, though are of unknown sex. These have the gazetteer numbers 50/1 and 50/2. (6)