Antiquities—Lately a quantity of tallow weighing about 28 Ibs., was found deposited in & wooden vessel, under several feet of peatmoss on the farm of Gortan. The vessel was all of one piece, and hewn out of the trunk of a tree. The hollow was made with fire, as the marks still show, the charcoal on the inside being distinctly discernible, even though the wood is so far decayed that it breaks off in small fragments. A small portion of the wood on one side has become powdered into dust, and a little of the tallow next this part presents the same appearance. The antique character of the deposit cannot be doubted. Had the vessel and its contents been found nearer the centre of civilisation, say on the banks of the Clyde or the Forth, skilled antiquarians would undoubtedly affirm that the vessel belonged to Scottish pre-historic times, and was made in the Stone Period, and therefore now over 2000 years old. But, as it is, that the deposit is hundreds of years old can hardly be doubted. Unquestionably, it was placed there for safety, probably at a time when, in our little kingdom on the sea, as elsewhere within the same period, there were wars and rumours of wars ; and, possibly, the owner may have been slain in one of those wars waged against some intruders, and in defence of life and property. It may have been at the time when Harold the Fair of Norway added the Hebrides to his Norwegian kingdom, and is therefore from 700 to 800 years old. Or it may be in connection with some clan feud. It may be noticed that on this farm, and not far from the place where the deposit was found, there is one of the sites of the many ancient forts or duns with which the island was at one time studded. Another site on the top of a little hill, with a commanding view, is quite near to one side of the farm, and not more than a mile, if quite a mile, from the one referred to above. (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 24 August 1889 )