424 ■ Discoveries near Fonthill. 



Attention was next turned to an enclosure adjoining the hoiise 

 on the west, bounded by a slight mound and ditch on the three 

 exposed sides. It measured 42ft. x 48ft, from top to top of the 

 mounds. A section was cut across the northern bank close beside 

 the house, but no wall was discovered : it was evidently the garden 

 of the house. 



Twenty feet to the S.S.W. there was a circular mound 13ft. in 

 diameter, and 1ft. Gin. high, surrounded by a depression about 1ft. 

 deep. A section was cut across the middle and yielded pottery, 

 nails, an iron hook, and a wedge of iron, which may have been 

 used for splitting tiles. The mound was apparently an ash heap. 

 Fifty feet to the south a circular depression of about a foot deep 

 was noticeable, and gave promise of a well. At a depth of 3ft. 9in., 

 however, undisturbed sandy rock was reached, nor was any object 

 found by which its use could be discovered. 



Two sections were also cut across two oblong enclosures, one 

 48ft. X I4f t., lying 87ft. to the south ; the other 83ft. long, varying 

 in breadth from 19ft. to 14ft., and lying 153ft. to the south-west. 

 They proved to be without walls, but, like the garden, had probably 

 been enclosed by a hedge. 



A careful examination of documents might, perhaps, reveal what 

 this house was, and to whom it belonged. The writer has not had 

 the opportunity to make the search, but it is to be hoped that 

 someone will be able to accomplish this. 



*if* Specimens of the seeds found (p. 416) were submitted to Mr. A. H. 

 Lyell, F.S.A., who has done such good work in identifying the seeds found 

 in the rubbish pits of Silchester. He pronounces one kind to be those of 

 Elder (Samhucus niger) ; the other and larger seeds he believes to be some 

 species of Prunus ? ? 



Too little attention has been hitherto paid to seeds, &c., found during 

 excavations. It is much to be wished that, in future, specimens of all seeds 

 found, or of the earth containing them, should be carefully preserved for 

 expert examination. — E.H.G. 



The objects found in these excavations have been divided between the 

 museums of Devizes and Salisbury. 



