100 SOME NOTES ON ARBOR LOW. 
not appear to have ever been removed to a depth sufficient to 
ensure the possibility of the stones being placed in an erect 
position. Within the circle are some smaller stones scattered 
irregularly, and near the centre are three larger ones, by some 
supposed to have formed a cromlech or altar, but-there are no 
perceptible grounds for such an opinion. The width of the ditch 
which immediately surrounds the area on which the stones are 
placed is about six yards; the height of the bank or vallum on 
the inside (though much reduced by the impairing hand of time) 
is still from six to eight yards; but this varies throughout the 
whole circumference, which, on the top, is about two hundred 
and seventy yards. The vallum is chiefly formed of the earth 
thrown out of the ditch, besides which a little has been added 
from the ground which immediately surrounds the exterior of the 
vallum, thus adding to its height and to the imposing appearance 
it presents to anyone approaching from a distance. To the 
enciosed area are two entrances, each of the width of ten or 
twelve yards, and opening towards the north and south. On the 
east side of the southern entrance is a large barrow, standing in the 
same line of circumference as the vallum, but wholly detached, 
except at the base. This barrow has been several times unsuc- 
cessfully examined, and remained an antiquarian problem until 
the summer of the year 1845, when the original interment was 
discovered, of a nature to prove beyond doubt the extreme 
antiquity of the tumulus, and consequently of the temple. About 
a quarter of a mile from Arbor Low, in a westerly direction, is a 
large conical tumulus, known as Gib Hill, which is connected 
with the vallum of the temple by a rampire of earth, running ina 
serpentine direction, not dissimilar to the avenue through the 
celebrated temple of Abury. To any believer in the serpent 
worship of the Celtic tribes this fact will be of interest.” 
In 1861, that careful writer, Sir Gardner Wilkinson, published a 
paper on Arbor Low, with an excellent plan and accurate mea- 
surements. * 
* Journal of the Archeological Association, Vol. xvi. 
