The richest grave was situated under the highest point of the bank, at a depth of 9 feet under the surface; it was made in the gravel, and was surrounded by sixteen rough stones of different size and shape. The majority were 2 feet in diameter; the large stone at the head measured 3 feet in length and width, and was 2 feet thick. The interstices were filled up with blue clay. A large slab, 2 feet long, 1½ feet broad, and 8 inches thick, was laid on the head, which like the rest of the bones was much decomposed, and proved to be that of a heavy-built man. The corpse lay on its back, nearly straight, with its head to the south-west; it had originally had over it some kind of covering, as there are remains of clothes or a grave-dress. VARPELEV GRAVE FIND. [Illustration: Fig. 558.—Skull (with sword-cut?). Varpelev Grave. 2/9 real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 559.—Skeleton of man; above the head two large stones. Varpelev. 1877. ] [Illustration: Fig. 560.—½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 561.—Real size. Two silver buckles: one found near the middle of the corpse, one near the head. ] [Illustration: Fig. 562.—Real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 563.—Real size. Gold rings found on finger bones. ] [Illustration: Fig. 564. Fig. 565. Roman Coin of Probus, 276–82; found lying by right ear of corpse. Real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 566.—Fragment of thin ornamented silver plating, probably the mounting of a drinking-horn. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 567.—Fibula of silver, _svastica_ shape, plated with gold, with amber knob in the centre; beautiful small birds may be noticed on each arm; found in a woman’s grave. ½ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 568.—Hair-pin of gold, top ornamented with garnet; found in a woman’s grave. ⅔ real size. ] [Illustration: Fig. 569.—Skeleton of woman. ] [Illustration: Fig. 570.—Skeleton lying on its left side, with an iron knife near the hands. ] [Illustration: Fig. 571. ] [Illustration: Fig. 572. ] [Illustration: Fig. 573. Skull, seen from three sides. ] CHAPTER XV. GREEK AND ROMAN ANTIQUITIES IN THE NORTH. Similar antiquities in the North and in Southern Russia—Roman coins—The trade of Gotland in earlier times—Ornaments and other objects of bronze. Among the archæological wealth of the North still belonging to the earlier, but not earliest, iron age, we find a class of graves and antiquities which are of special importance, for they help us to fix very closely a date for the period to which they belong, and for this light we are indebted to Roman coins and other objects, both Roman and Greek, which these graves contain.